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How Congress Retirement Pay Compares to the Overall Average
Investopedia ^ | 2/15/25 | Sean Ross

Posted on 06/29/2025 12:33:39 PM PDT by DallasBiff

Elected representatives and senators in the U.S. Congress receive substantial pension benefits for life. Congressional retirement pay is not typically a big election-year issue, but it might serve as evidence of a disconnect between lawmakers and the mainstream United States.

SNIP

Congressional members are eligible for their own unique pension plans under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), though there are other retirement options available, ranging from Social Security to the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS).3 Members of Congress are eligible for a pension dependent on the member’s age at retirement, length of service, and salary.4 The pension value can be up to 80% of the member’s final salary, which is $174,000 per year. At an 80% rate, that’s a pension benefit of $139,200. (The Speaker of the House has a salary of $223,500. The Senate President makes $193,400, as do the majority and minority leaders in the House and Senate.) All benefits are taxpayer-funded.56

(Excerpt) Read more at investopedia.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: pensions; senator; thomtillis

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Looks like Thom Tillis has a sweet deal for a pension.

More than I'll ever get.

At least Trump gives his salary and pension to charity.

1 posted on 06/29/2025 12:33:39 PM PDT by DallasBiff
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To: DallasBiff
The pension value can be up to 80% of the member’s final salary, which is $174,000 per year.

I didn't see in the article how many terms a congressman must serve to have 80% pension.

2 posted on 06/29/2025 12:40:00 PM PDT by Tell It Right (1 Thessalonians 5:21 -- Put everything to the test, hold fast to that which is true.)
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To: DallasBiff

Heard Congress is holding out for both no tax on tips and overtime and also no tax of graft by Congress. Or no deal.

“First I lose on the Chinese Yuan money exchange for favors and then I pay tax on the income I can’t money launder. I may just quit Congress.”


3 posted on 06/29/2025 12:40:54 PM PDT by frank ballenger (There's a battle outside and it's raging. It'll soon shake your windows and rattle your walls. )
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To: DallasBiff

Well, duh. If I could vote for my own salary, benefits and retirement package, I would live like a king, too.


4 posted on 06/29/2025 12:43:46 PM PDT by Texas Eagle ("Throw me to the wolves and I'll return leading the pack"- Donald J. Trump)
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To: DallasBiff

Every $50k in retirement payout would require $1m worth of investments in the bank.

This is the equivalent of $3-4m retirement fund for everyone in congress


5 posted on 06/29/2025 12:45:54 PM PDT by sten (fighting tyranny never goes out of style)
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To: DallasBiff

Miami Herald article Pittenger and Thom Tillis are wealthiest members of Congress from NC By Anna Douglas June 15, 2023.

“Tillis has an estimated $8.9 million in personal wealth, making him the 20th richest U.S. senator. Tillis, who is serving his first term in Congress, is a former PricewaterhouseCoopers and IBM executive turned consultant.”

Finbold site:
Jun 19, 2024 — Thom Tillis’ net worth is estimated to be between $3,254,049 and $11,085,998, according to his financial disclosure report for the year 2023.

Now that is a big difference. Wonder how much is laundered and hidden in numbered accounts.


6 posted on 06/29/2025 12:45:58 PM PDT by frank ballenger (There's a battle outside and it's raging. It'll soon shake your windows and rattle your walls. )
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To: DallasBiff

I would too if I made 2 billion since January.


7 posted on 06/29/2025 12:48:41 PM PDT by napscoordinator (DeSantis is a beast! Florida is the freest state in the country! )
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To: DallasBiff

Members of Congress should be compensated solely by the states that send them. I don’t think that many of them really know who they are working for, except for Dems, they work for the Lord of Darkness.


8 posted on 06/29/2025 12:52:33 PM PDT by bakeneko
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To: DallasBiff

Decrease their benefits each term of service. Maybe they’ll retire earlier.


9 posted on 06/29/2025 12:55:40 PM PDT by TornadoAlley3 ( I'm Proud To Be An Okie From Muskogee)
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To: Tell It Right
I didn't see in the article how many terms a congressman must serve to have 80% pension.

Forty two years, but that benefit ended for those first elected during the 1984 cycle. Same as for Federal Employees (ended in 1983).

10 posted on 06/29/2025 12:57:46 PM PDT by IndispensableDestiny
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To: IndispensableDestiny

When one Congress critter lose election AFTER 4 years in office, how much then?


11 posted on 06/29/2025 1:15:56 PM PDT by Mark (DONATE ONCE every 3 months-is that a big deal?)
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To: TornadoAlley3

Oooooh, I like that idea. 25% each term after the first one.


12 posted on 06/29/2025 1:26:37 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; not averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: Mark
When one Congress critter lose election AFTER 4 years in office, how much then?

Nothing. Needs five years to be vested.

13 posted on 06/29/2025 1:50:07 PM PDT by IndispensableDestiny
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To: DallasBiff

Nice Work If You Can Get It.


14 posted on 06/29/2025 1:56:48 PM PDT by Jane Long (Jesus is Lord!)
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To: DallasBiff

Ridiculous. And they don’t even fund most of it themselves.

Want to lower the deficit? Start there .


15 posted on 06/29/2025 1:57:18 PM PDT by Fledermaus ("It turns out all we really needed was a new President!")
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To: DallasBiff

Ge, hey don’t they have to go on Social Security like us common folk do?

“Members of Congress are eligible for a pension dependent on the member’s age at retirement, length of service, and salary.”

U.S. Office of Personnel Management. “Eligibility.”
The pension value can be up to 80% of the member’s final salary, which is $174,000 per year. At an 80% rate, that’s a pension benefit of $139,200.”

I believe some government workers can also draw up to 80% of their salaries when they retire. Am I wrong?


16 posted on 06/29/2025 2:07:02 PM PDT by antidemoncrat (In a way ge is right as)
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To: Tell It Right

FERS pension is calculated at 1% PER YEAR.

There is NO WAY IN HELL congress-ctitters serve 80 years. Now, if you factor in FERS and SSI, then roughly 40 YEARS could equate to 80%. This is over and above all the $$$$ they stole while in Congress. ANY wonder WHY they are ALL multi-millionaires??

TERM LIMIT THE BASTARDS and NO PENSION!!!


17 posted on 06/29/2025 2:08:34 PM PDT by OHPatriot (Si vis pacem, para bellum)
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To: DallasBiff

These people should not have pensions. Being elected to office should not be a career.


18 posted on 06/29/2025 2:14:21 PM PDT by Antihero101607
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To: DallasBiff

Congress is an elected office not a career.

There should be no benefits when out of office.


19 posted on 06/29/2025 2:28:54 PM PDT by fruser1
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To: OHPatriot
FERS pension is calculated at 1% PER YEAR.

Nine members of Congress are covered under CSRS. They will get 80 percent.

20 posted on 06/29/2025 3:21:14 PM PDT by IndispensableDestiny
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