Collecting nearly $318,000 a year, the former head of Los Angeles' Department of Water and Power tops a list of 841 city pension recipients paid six-figure benefits, according to newly obtained records.
And, like many of the retirees, former DWP General Manager Ronald Deaton will be paid more beginning this summer -- boosting his annual retirement pay to more than $327,000 -- because of annual cost-of-living increases, records and interviews show.
New DWP pension data provide a fuller picture of the city's largest retirement packages at a time when City Hall is cutting services, the public is being hit with recession-driven tax increases to cover government budget shortfalls and rising public pension costs are under close scrutiny.
The Times previously reported that nearly 600 pensioners received $100,000 a year from the city's police, fire and general government retirement plans. The new data from the city's utility adds close to 250 names to the list, which includes retirees or, in some cases, beneficiaries.
Former DWP Assistant General Manager Frank Salas ranks second on the list, receiving about $290,000 a year.
Councilman Bernard C. Parks, a former Los Angeles police chief and head of the city's budget committee, is third.
The Times reported in May that Parks, 65, who has publicly warned about soaring payroll and pension costs, received $265,000 a year in retirement payments on top of his $178,789 council salary.
With a cost-of-living adjustment that took effect this month, Parks' pension has grown to $273,000 annually, roughly 10% more than his final pay as police chief, records show.
In addition, Parks, who is serving a second four-year council term, is participating in a civilian pension plan as a councilman, officials confirmed. That could add tens of thousands of dollars per year to his total city retirement income.
Parks' eligibility for a second pension -- and the amount -- would depend on how long he serves, his final salary and his age when he collects it, officials said.
Parks did not respond to an interview request.
City employee groups stress that six-figure retirees like Parks and Deaton are a small fraction of pensioners. Most collect far less, typically about $40,000 for civilian retirees and close to $50,000 for former police officers, firefighters and DWP workers. Also, officials note that career city employees don't normally receive Social Security payments, which also are adjusted yearly to offset increases in the cost of living.
