Former Haddonfield Superintendent in Watchdog Group's $100K Club

Former superintendent of Haddonfield schools, Barry Ersek, is a member of what one watchdog group is terming the state's $100K Club, one of more than 1,000 former New Jersey employees receiving a pension in the six figures.

Erisek, who retired seven years ago, collected $114,458 last year in pension benefits, and is one of several retired educators from Camden County included on the list.

Haddonfield school board President Steve Weinstein said Erisek earned his pension after 25 years as an educator.

"The rules are the rules," Weinstein said. "He is someone who worked that long in the system and made the contibutions. Don’t blame the employee for what the rules are. He worked hard leading a top district."

In all, 1,244 former state employees collected more than $100,000 in benefits in 2011, according a list compiled by New Jersey Watchdog.

That number has increased by 28 percent since 2010, New Jersey Watchdog reported.

The top pension went to former Essex County College President A. Zachary Yamba, who collected $195,000 last year. In total, the pensions paid out to those drawing at least $100,000 came to $138,723,987 in 2011.