AUSTIN — Unbeknownst to most Texans, Gov. Rick Perry officially retired in January so he could draw early pension benefits worth $7,699 a month, in addition to his annual governor’s salary of $150,000.
Perry’s January retirement — on paper, at least — was revealed Friday when the Federal Elections Commission released the financial disclosure statement the governor was required to file as a candidate for the Republican nomination for president. The annuity brings Perry’s total state government-related income to $242,388 a year.
Reaction to news of the unusual arrangement, in which Perry retired as a state employee but remains Texas’ elected governor, was swift and negative.
“If there’s a Hall of Fame for hypocrites, he’s in it,” said Democratic consultant Paul Begala. “It must be part of Perry’s plan to starve the government by taking as much money from it as he can.”
Mike Gross, head of the 12,000-member Texas State Employees Union, said Perry’s pension deal “will sit badly” with other public employees.
“Perry, 61, and his staff brushed off the criticism, with the governor telling ABC News, “I think it’d be rather foolish to not access what you’ve earned.”
Campaign spokesman Ray Sullivan said the governor decided to take his state employee retirement annuity “as part of his standard financial planning.” He began drawing the annuity Jan. 31, and the package, Sullivan said, is consistent with Texas state law and Employee Retirement System rules. Perry continues to pay into the Employees Retirement System with a 6.5 percent withholding.
The combination of his U.S. military service, state service and age exceeded the state-required 80 years and qualified Perry for the annuity, Sullivan said. Perry has been on Texas’ public payroll since 1985.
He signed a law making it illegal for Texas teachers to do the same thing. I hope people wake up and realize the hypocrisy that is Rick Perry.