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Comptroller Scott Stringer says he's going to investigate the inadvertent pension payments.

(Staten Island Advance/Anthony DePrimo)

CITY HALL - It's a multi-million dollar mistake: New York City accidentally paid more than 30,000 retired cops and firefighters some $298 million in pension payments overnight, according to Comptroller Scott Stringer.

The New York City Financial Information Services Agency electronically deposited Variable Supplement Fund payments into the accounts of retired police officers, police superior officers, and firefighters Wednesday night - even though the payments normally come in December.

A total of $298,475,644 went out to 31,019 retirees, according to Stringer's office - but they won't get to keep it. The payments will be reversed by Friday.

Variable Supplement Fund payments are given to non-disability retirees with at least 20 years of service.

One retired Staten Island police officer said the pension fund had already advised retired officers not to spend the money, since it was deposited in error.

"The Comptroller's Office is deeply concerned about the processes that allowed this incident to occur and we will work with the Mayor's Office to complete an immediate and thorough investigation of its cause," Stringer's office said.