Monday, December 19, 2011

Critics blast Rick Perry's retirement pay

And now Rick Perry is done, Critics blast Rick Perry's retirement pay.

"Gov. Rick Perry has set off a wave of criticism and left some questions unanswered after filing paperwork Thursday revealing that he is collecting both a salary and a pension from Texas.

The Republican presidential candidate, who is trying to pull off an electoral surprise in Iowa, disclosed to the Federal Election Commission that he earns a gross monthly retirement annuity of $7,698, or about $92,000 a year.

Aides said the governor officially retired as a state employee in January but continues to draw his $150,000-a-year salary. He expects to retire again with a higher pension as a member of the "elected class" when he leaves office.

Aides cited an obscure provision of the Texas Government Code, Chapter 813.503, that they say allows him to legally draw full-time pay and then retire twice."

""I would be surprised why someone would not take a retirement that they were eligible for. It's just kind of good estate planning, in my opinion," Perry said."

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