The author writes:
“They go to Washington for prestige, payola and privilege; and they retire rich.”
Really?
About 50% of Congressmen were millionaires BEFORE they were elected.
Most members of Congress earn $174,000 per year.
About 600 Congressmen are now retired.
Their median income - pension plus Social Security - is less than $5,000 per month.
Senior Congressional leaders with 25 years of employment get retirement income of about $10,000 per month.
Congressmen, serving or retired, and their spouse, get excellent health insurance for life.
And I believe the surviving spouse gets the same pension amount for life, too, but Social Security makes that a really complicated number to determine.
All in all, the job of Senator or Congressman provides a solid upper middle class income, but they do need to pay for housing in two cities, although quite a few sleep in their office and shower in the gym.
The paycheck isn't how they become rich...
One of the ways is they use insider knowledge to invest. Another is they get hired by lobbying firms once they are out of Congress.