Insider deals boost Milwaukee County pensions

A Milwaukee Journal Sentinel investigation found that hundreds of Milwaukee County workers, including some high profile officials, boosted their pensions by $50 million by sidestepping county pension rules and IRS tax codes. Reporter Dave Umhoefer traced the self-dealing and cronyism that launched the breaks, which allow workers to pay to convert ineligible work service from summer seasonal jobs into lucrative retirement credits. Many can expect five- and six-figure pension gains over their lifetimes for comparatively modest payments for the credits.