Schools
Here's The Pension For Ex-Burr Ridge D180 Leader
More than $5 million is expected to go to the former superintendent over the next two decades. Most local students are low-income.
![Burr Ridge School District 180's former superintendent is set to collect more than $5 million in pension payments over the next couple of decades.](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/23697275/20230913/054442/styles/patch_image/public/money___13174013642.jpg)
BURR RIDGE, IL – Thomas Schneider, who retired over the summer as the superintendent of Burr Ridge School District 180, is pulling in a pension that pays $18,256 a month.
That works out to $219,072 a year. Patch obtained the numbers through its latest public records request to the Teachers Retirement System.
In June, Schneider left the district after 17 years with a salary of just under $300,000. He retired at age 57 after about 35 years of service.
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During his career, Schneider made $383,266 in contributions to the pension system, which works out to about $11,000 each year of service.
In 21 months, Schneider will have received the equivalent of his contributions. He won't even be 60 at that point.
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Under state law, teacher pensions are guaranteed to rise by 3 percent compounded annually. That means Schneider's monthly check will rise to $21,163 in five years, or $253,956 annually.
In Illinois, male life expectancy is about 77 years old. If Schneider lives another 20 years, he will pull in more than $5 million.
Many consider the Teachers Retirement System's finances unsustainable. According to the system, its unfunded liability as of last year stood at nearly $81 billion.
Schneider's final salary was $299,495. His last raise was $16,495.
Last year, Patch compared Schneider's pay to superintendents in the area. His was the highest.
District 180's latest enrollment is 445. At that level, Schneider's salary worked out to about $675 per student. That compares to $30 in Elmhurst School District 205, where the $250,000-a-year superintendent is in charge of more than 8,000 students.
Nearly 90 percent of District 180's students are considered low-income. The district covers southern Burr Ridge and nearby unincorporated areas, which include low-income housing.
Members of the Teachers Retirement System are ineligible for Social Security.
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