Ex-cop Derek Chauvin eligible for $1 million pension even if convicted in Floyd death
Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer charged in George Floyd’s death, will be eligible for at least $1 million in pension benefits even if convicted, reports say.
Chauvin, who was fired, is charged with second-degree murder after he pinned the neck of Floyd, a Black man, to the ground for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. Three other officers who stood by were also terminated and charged in the death.
According to a CNN analysis, Chauvin could get about $50,000 annually if he chooses to begin receiving benefits at age 55, amounting to a potential $1.5 million in pension benefits over 30 years.
The Minnesota Public Employees Retirement Association confirmed Chauvin, who is 44 and had worked for the police department for 19 years, could be eligible for a pension starting at age 50, CNN reported.
“Neither our Board nor our staff have the discretion to increase, decrease, deny or revoke benefits,” a spokeswoman told CNN. “Any changes to current law would need to be done through the legislative process.”
CBS News also confirmed Chauvin is eligible for over $1 million in pension benefits. Minnesota is among the states with no law allowing for the reduction or removal of public employees convicted of felonies, the news outlet reported.
Public pensions generally are funded by taxpayers, employee contributions and investments.
In Minnesota, employees can choose to receive a refund of their contributions or a deferred benefit if they meet requirements for length of service — regardless of whether termination of their employment was involuntary, according to the state’s Public Employees Retirement Association.
“The death of George Floyd on May 25 while under police custody has led some members of the public to inquire about the impact of police officer terminations on their pension benefits,” the association said in a statement on June 2. “PERA is responsible to administer the police and fire pension plan in accordance with state of Minnesota laws and does not have discretionary authority over the determination of benefits.”