More than 2,900 public retirees collecting pensions of $100,000 or more, report says

The Empire Center says the latest public data show more than 2,900 state and local government retirees in New York are collecting pensions topping $100,000.

The fiscally conservative think tank says data from the public retirement system's 2015 fiscal year, which ended in March, shows that total rose by about 200 retirees from a year earlier.

Most -- nearly 1,800 -- are retired police officers and firefighters.

According to the center, 10 public pensioners are collecting more than $200,000 yearly.

The largest retirement benefit for the sixth straight year went to George M. Philip, former executive director of the state Teachers' Retirement System and former president of SUNY Albany.

Philip's pension benefit last year was $261,649.