Former NYC lifeguard chief receives $570,000 pension amid controversy

Peter Stein, an 81-year-old former chief lifeguard dubbed “Boss of the Beach,” received a $570,419 pension for the most recent year, the Empire Center for Public Policy disclosed. Stein maintained two full-time municipal positions—lifeguard supervisor and Brooklyn middle-school gym teacher—for about thirty years, a setup that prompted probes by the Department of Investigation and the Board of Education, though none led to action.

His retirement earnings are among the highest in the city, reflecting a pension system that permits “stacked” benefits and late-career overtime. The Center noted that 62 New York City retirees earned over $200,000 last year, highlighting a systemic issue that shifts costs to state and local taxpayers. Recent legislative changes rolled back reforms intended to curb pension growth, further amplifying the fiscal impact. Stein declined to comment on his compensation.