Politics
Politics

Big pensions on the rise in Georgia retirement systems

L.C. “Buster” Evans, director of the Georgia Teacher Retirement System. Jason Getz jgetz@ajc.com
L.C. “Buster” Evans, director of the Georgia Teacher Retirement System. Jason Getz jgetz@ajc.com
By James Salzer
Aug 23, 2017

With baby boomers retiring in droves the number of big state pensions being paid out has been on the rise of late.

Top administrators, such as school superintendents, university deans and presidents and some state agency heads, make big salaries and if they put in 30 years or more working in Georgia, the retirement rewards can be substantial.

An Atlanta Journal-Constitution analysis of retirement records shows the number of state system retirees getting pensions of more than $100,000 a year more than doubled in the last six years. However, state law makes it illegal for retirement officials to disclose who those. or any recipients, are.

To read more about the run-up of big state pensions, check out our full story at myajc.com

About the Author

James Salzer has covered state government and politics in Georgia since 1990. He previously covered politics and government in Texas and Florida. He specializes in government finance, budgets, taxes, campaign finance, ethics and legislative history

Follow James Salzer on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announces her bid for governor while meeting with journalists in Atlanta Monday, May 19, 2025. Bottoms describes herself as a moderate, but many of her critics disagree. (Ben Gray for the AJC)

Credit: Ben Gray for the AJC

Bottoms reframes her record as 2026 races takes shape

Can the former Atlanta mayor pitch herself as a centrist for governor of Georgia?

Esteves unveils universal child-care plan in bid for Georgia governor

Democrat proposes using lottery reserves to expand pre-K to 3- and 4-year-olds and create statewide child-care access by 2035.

Raffensperger launches 1st major policy plan with property tax-relief package

The secretary of state and GOP hopeful for Georgia governor wants ‘one predictable system’ for local taxes.

The Latest

Jason Esteves is in a six-way battle for the Democratic nomination for Georgia governor. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Credit: Natrice Miller/AJC

Esteves unveils universal child-care plan in bid for Georgia governor

Raffensperger launches 1st major policy plan with property tax-relief package

LISTEN

Monday Mailbag: Marjorie Taylor Greene, FAA and Atlanta City Council

Featured

Travelers wait in Concourse F, the international terminal, at Hartsfield-Jackson airport in Atlanta on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (Arvin Temkar / AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

Why cell service, Wi-Fi have been spotty at ATL’s international terminal

There are several reasons why it has been tough to get reliable cell service and Wi-Fi access at Concourse F and the international terminal. A completed fix is coming soon.

POLITICALLY GEORGIA

Georgia’s top Republican US Senate candidates now back release of Epstein files

U.S. Reps. Buddy Carter, Mike Collins and Derek Dooley say they back a bill in the U.S. House that to force the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, who died in 2019.

Falcons put Penix on injured reserve; he’ll miss at least 4 games.

Kirk Cousins will be the starting QB after taking the reins in third quarter of Sunday’s loss.