The state pension reform debate veered into the thicket of opposing studies and statistics Friday as Gov. Andrew Cuomo and public sector unions continued talks in efforts to reach a compromise.

One study showed that public employees who left the job last year receive pensions averaging $31,653, with a substantial number receiving more. That came after unions pointed out that the average pension check overall is about $19,000 per year.

Another report, from a labor-backed group, laid out how the governor’s Tier VI proposal would bring a 40 percent cut, largely because of the proposed higher retirement age.

The average $31,653 was included in research from the fiscally conservative Empire Center, which counted new retirements listed by the state Employee Retirement System in 2011. For those who put in 35 years or more on the job, it was closer to $55,000, according to the study by E.J. McMahon, the center’s director.

McMahon’s study also pointed out the $19,151 average pension cited by unions includes people who have worked part time, or retired years ago when public salaries were far lower. Also counted are checks to survivors of pensioners. The figure also excludes higher-paid police and firefighters…..

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