Just how common are lump sum payments to government employees for things like unused sick and vacation days? Bloomberg took at look at these payments in the 12 biggest states (see chart below) and found they totaled a startling $711 million in 2011. Although the practice has virtually disappeared in the private sector, more than 110,000 government employees got these payments in these states last year. California led the way with an average payment of $14,110 per employee. Pennsylvania had the most new retirees (18,250) receiving them in 2011.
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