Incoming MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng will likely be taking in a roughly $185,000 pension from New York whereas being paid greater than half 1,000,000 {dollars} throughout his first yr in Boston.
Eng, former president of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Long Island Rail Road, got here out of retirement to work for the MBTA, however stays retired with the New York State and Local Employees’ Retirement System, which is paying him a gross month-to-month pension of $15,357.39, in line with a spokesperson for the New York State Comptroller’s workplace.
Eng, who stepped down from his MTA put up in February 2022, retired from New York’s ERS the next month, March 31, 2022, the spokesperson mentioned. His month-to-month pension equates to $184,288 in annual compensation, which he can proceed to gather whereas working on the MBTA, the place he will likely be one of many highest-paid transit leaders within the nation.
“Mr. Eng’s post-retirement employment with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation would not impact his continuing to receive a pension from ERS,” New York State Comptroller spokesperson Kristina Naplatarski mentioned.
Eng’s annual base wage with the MBTA, efficient April 10, will likely be $470,000, however his compensation for his first yr of employment will really be $550,000, when factoring within the $80,000 lump sum cost for “out-of-pocket expenses incurred in mobilization and relocation,” in line with the contract.
According to Gov. Maura Healey’s workplace, Eng lives in Smithtown, N.Y., together with his spouse, however will likely be relocating to Massachusetts to start his new position on the MBTA.
Eng’s wage is not going to solely considerably exceed that of his predecessor, former MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak, however it would even be a lot increased than what he made main the Long Island Rail Road in 2021.
Poftak, who stepped down on Jan. 3 amid calls for brand new management, was paid a base wage of $339,144 in 2022, however did make $78,585 in “other pay” to convey his complete compensation in his ultimate yr of employment to $417,729, in line with the Massachusetts Comptroller’s workplace.
Poftak, regardless of solely working three days, was paid $15,443 in base pay this yr with a $32,128 buyout, in line with the state payroll information. He resigned with a yr remaining in his contract.
Eng was paid $285,254 in his ultimate yr main the Long Island Rail Road, in line with Naplatarski, citing the compensation reported to ERS by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
His contract with the MBTA is for 5 years, extending via April 10, 2028, with an choice for a one-year extension. His annual base wage will enhance by 1.5%, to $477,050, on Sept. 1, 2024, and by 1.5% on that date for every year of the contract, the settlement states.
On July 1, 2024, Eng will likely be “entitled to receive” a $30,000 retention cost, if he’s nonetheless employed with the company. He will obtain the identical quantity every year on the date, for his continued employment, in line with the contract.
The contract additionally permits for annual bonuses, to not exceed 10% of his base wage in 2024, 15% in 2025, and 20% in 2026 and every year thereafter on or earlier than July 31, “based upon Eng’s satisfactory achievement of clearly defined milestones.”
The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce earlier this month pressed the governor to supply the brand new MBTA basic supervisor a “competitive base compensation in the range of $450,000 to $500,000,” given the perceived problem in filling the place, which sources instructed the Herald was as a result of T’s dangerous status.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”