City of Chicago
Cost of pensions workers earn this year
$146.9 million
Exact amount: $146,922,858.00
Calendar year 2026
Employer normal cost is the actuary's estimate of what this year of work by 39,379 active members adds to the pension promise, after members' own contributions (p.55). The tier split is our proxy.
The City sends one payment set by law to the retirement fund, and the fund then pays thousands of retirees, so the public records stop at how many retirees there are and what the average one gets.
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Inside this box
Pick a rectangle to see what is inside it. Rectangle area shows positive amounts; the complete list includes reductions and tiny amounts.
On small screens, use the complete linked table below to explore each box.
All items
| Box | Amount | % of this budget |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 (hired before 2011): 11,756 active members · Our estimate | $65,829,863.73 | 44.8% |
| Tier 3 (hired July 6, 2017 or later): 21,862 active members · Our estimate | $62,586,208.52 | 42.6% |
| Tier 2 (hired 2011 to July 5, 2017): 5,761 active members · Our estimate | $18,506,785.75 | 12.6% |
Sources
- data/leaves_pensions.json (fund actuarial valuations 12/31/2025)
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