Imagine a pension so large it surpasses half a million dollars annually. Sounds unbelievable, right? But it’s happening right here in New York State. In 2025, over 300,000 individuals are receiving state pensions of at least $20,000 per year, according to official records. And here’s where it gets even more eye-opening: more than 12,000 of them—nearly 4%—are collecting pensions exceeding $100,000 annually. Among these, 110 lucky recipients are enjoying pensions of $200,000 or more. But who’s at the top of this list? Kara Bennorth Hubertus, from Westchester Medical Center, takes the crown with a staggering pension of over $503,000 per year, as revealed by the state Comptroller’s Office.
These figures, released in response to a Freedom of Information Law request by syracuse.com | The Post-Standard, offer a snapshot of the New York state pension system as of September 30. The data comes from two primary sources: the state Employees Retirement System and the New York State Police and Fire Retirement System. But here’s where it gets controversial: some of these pensions are boosted by unique deals or loopholes, like the one that allowed former Syracuse deputy fire chief Stephen Cavuto to significantly increase his pension by working extensive overtime in his final year—a strategy negotiated years ago with the firefighters union.
In Onondaga County, three of the top five pension recipients—Sharon Klaiber, Katharine Mooney, and Richard O’Shea—are former administrators at Upstate Medical University or its affiliated hospital. Meanwhile, Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick has been collecting both a pension (over $133,000 annually) and his regular salary since 2020—a practice allowed under state law, though it raises eyebrows for many. And this is the part most people miss: these pensions are funded by taxpayers, sparking debates about fairness and sustainability.
Curious to see where others stand? You can explore the top 25 pension recipients in Onondaga County in the table below, or search statewide using the provided tool. Simply enter a name, employer, or county to uncover pension details for anyone receiving at least $20,000 annually. Can’t see the table or search tool? Just click the links to open them in a new window.
Now, here’s the question we’re all thinking: Are these pensions a fair reward for years of service, or do they highlight systemic issues in how public funds are allocated? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one conversation you won’t want to miss!
