Kitzhaber's retirement nowhere close to salary as governor

Retirement is likely going to mean a big pay cut for former Gov. John Kitzhaber, who resigned last week amid a flurry of investigations, questions and calls for him to step down.

Kitzhaber's annual pension was worth $42,350.28 on Jan. 1, 2011, according to the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). That was the last time he received a check from PERS before taking office for his third term.

That is less than half the salary he made as governor.

Kitzhaber's salary was $98,600 last year, according to the Department of Administrative Services, but even four years at that rate does not add much to the pension he is likely to receive.

Kitzhaber originally retired on July 1, 2006, PERS spokesman David Crosley said. He had 21 years and 11 months of service at the time, and he received his pension for about four and a half years.

It ended in 2011, when he went back to the governor's office.

PERS will recalculate his pension when he retires again, Crosley said. There are three different calculations available to Kitzhaber: full formula, full formula plus annuity, and Money Match.

He previously used the full-formula-plus-annuity option, Crosley said, but that could change next time. Retirees use whichever calculation gives the largest pension, he said.

It's impossible to estimate exactly what Kitzhaber's retirement will be. PERS does provide an estimate calculator, but it requires logging in to a member account to use it.

Crosley provided the guidelines for the three calculations, and if Kitzhaber used the full formula, his pension would be about $42,812.

However, it's likely one of the other options would yield a slightly higher amount.

It is possible for the former governor to supplement his pension income. PERS retirees are allowed to work in the public sector part time (up to 1,039 hours per year) and still receive their retirement checks. Private employment will not impact his pension.

Kitzhaber has not announced his plans upon resigning, but he is currently the subject of state and federal investigations.

hhoffman@statesmanjournal.com, (503) 399-6719 or follow at twitter.com/HannahK Hoffman