A high-profile New York City pension has drawn scrutiny, with a former chief lifeguard and union leader receiving $570,419 in retirement pay last year, according to the Empire Center for Public Policy. Peter Stein, 81, who held dual full-time roles as a middle school gym teacher and chief lifeguard for three decades, has been dubbed the “Boss of the Beach” and his substantial pension payment has reignited discussions about the design and sustainability of New York’s public pension system.
Stein retired as a teacher in 2004 after 32 years, earning approximately $77,974 the year prior. He continued working as chief lifeguard for an additional two decades. His tenure as chief lifeguard was reportedly marked by accusations of mismanagement, including allegations of failing to address sexual harassment claims and instances of retaliation. A 2020 profile in New York Magazine drew parallels between Stein and Boss Tweed, suggesting a reliance on patronage and intimidation. In 2021, Stein declined to be interviewed by the Department of Investigation regarding issues within the city's lifeguard program.
The exact mechanisms for how Stein's pension reached over half a million dollars are not fully detailed, but his reported gross pay in 2023 was $121,000 and $120,475 in 2024. His total compensation in 2025, including "other pay," reached $280,000, with total payouts in 2023 and 2024 recorded at $213,473 and $196,805 respectively. Stein declined to comment on his pension.
Abdullah Ar Rafee of the Empire Center noted that Stein's pension, while extraordinary, is not unique within New York’s pension systems, attributing such high payouts to the state's pension laws. "It is a direct consequence of how New York’s public pension system was designed," Ar Rafee stated, explaining that laws allow employees to potentially combine multiple pensions or maximize late-career overtime, a practice that ultimately burdens taxpayers and can reduce funding for other public services.
Stein is among many New York City retirees receiving significant pensions. The New York City Employees’ Retirement System reported that 62 members received pension payments of at least $200,000 last year. Other notable high pensions include Nicolas Audi ($341,487), Warren Murray Jr. ($325,015), Eileen Barkow ($297,130), and Roger Smoke ($293,183).
Ar Rafee also pointed to legislative actions that he believes exacerbate the issue. He stated that Governor Kathy Hochul and the state legislature, influenced by public employee unions, have rolled back measures intended to control pension costs. Specifically, the recent undoing of Tier 6 reforms, which had previously increased retirement ages and contributions for workers hired after 2012, is cited as a move that will increase future liabilities. These changes lowered the retirement age for educators and reduced employee contributions, shifting more of the financial burden to taxpayers.
Data from the Empire Center indicates a substantial increase in overall pension benefits paid out in recent years. While the number of pensioners grew by 7% between 2020 and 2025, total pension benefits increased by 24%, from $4.99 billion to $6.18 billion. The number of pensioners receiving six-figure incomes more than doubled during the same period, rising from 1,609 to 3,219. Additionally, pension payments in New York are not subject to state and local income taxes, further increasing the net benefit for retirees.