Metro

State-worker unions push pension boost

A powerful union coalition is pushing legislation to boost pension payouts by millions of dollars — just as Gov. Cuomo plans to trim pensions for newly hired workers, The Post has learned.

The state Public Employee Conference’s proposals include:

* Making a “variable supplement” bonus of $12,000 — currently provided to 50,000 New York City cop and firefighter retirees — available to all government workers in New York state.

* Creating a “tier equity” program that would allow workers and retirees in a less generous pension category to get better benefits.

* Expanding the controversial “heart bill” — which allows uniformed officers diagnosed with heart disease to retire with a three-quarters disability pension — to cover other job titles.

* Guaranteeing that “existing” health benefits provided to retirees won’t be reduced.

* Boosting “cost-of-living adjustments” for the oldest retirees.

* Lowering the retirement age from 62 to 55 for certain pension benefits.

“These proposals are going in the wrong direction,” said Maria Doulis, a pension analyst at the Citizens Budget Commission, a business-backed group.

ccampanile@nypost.com