“Dec. 14–Scranton had the highest percentage of police officers and firefighters collecting disability pensions statewide in 2012, costing its taxpayer-fueled funds $5.2 million, a Times-Tribune investigation found.

“There were 151 retired firefighters receiving pensions, of which 88, or 58 percent, are disability pensions. The police department had 146 retirees, of which 73, or 50 percent, are on disability pensions.

“The rate, which excludes pensions paid to surviving spouses, far exceeds every other pension plan in the state with 10 or more members, most of which had fewer than 10 percent of public safety workers on disability pensions, the newspaper found after reviewing the most recent data available from the Public Employee Retirement Commission.

“And, it comes at a high cost.”

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