In San Francisco, SFPD can retire with 30% of their average 3 year salary after just 10 years on the job AND 55 years of age. Usually, this is around 100k for a 10 year veteran of the force. So, if one starts at SFPD at age 45, one can retire with about $33k per year at 55. There is also a COLA adjustment per year. Average life span for a male is around 76 years. The pension benefit ALONE is worth about $700k not including the COLA adjustment.
People wonder why this state and municipalities are SCREWED, and they wonder why several cities have filed bankruptcy or have skirted bankruptcy. This is PART, a BIG PART, of the reason.
Usually the very, very generous retirement benefits drive high police compensation. Well paid overtime helps, too.