Florida GOP Rep. Yoho announces retirement from Congress

AP via YAHOO ^ | December 10, 2019 | BOBBY CAINA CALVAN

[Farcesensitive]

Republican Rep. Ted Yoho of Florida announced Tuesday that he will not seek another term, saying he never meant to spend more than eight years in Congress. Democrats seized upon the news as a sign of weakening morale among the GOP.

Yoho, who aligned himself with the Tea Party faction of the Republican Party and has been a fierce supporter of President Donald Trump, joins at least 27 House Republicans in announcing their departures from the U.S. House.

Of those, 23 aren't seeking reelection, while three have resigned and already left Congress. And one — California Rep. Duncan Hunter — has said he is resigning and will leave the House shortly after the holidays.

Yoho broke the news in a letter to supporters on Tuesday, reminding them that he had pledged to serve just four terms.

“I truly believe a person's word is their bond and should live up to their word," he said. “I also meant that after eight years I would come home and pass the baton to a new generation.”

[Rockingham]

No they do not. Take a look at the official FRS website for the details.

[John O]

The Congressional pension available to Yoho is as I describe. It is part of the Federal Retirement System but is far more generous than the standard federal employee pension.

Actually it is not. They get 1.7% of their high three average yearly pay per year of service they have (after 5 years of service) payable once they reach 62 years of age. (those sworn in after Dec 31, 2012 get 1% per year).

So he'd get 13.6% of his high three average (so about $21K a year) Not counting any thrift savings plan investments he may have made.

[John O]

Perhaps the confusion is with the words “full pension”

Under the old CSRS pension system an employee (including a congressman) received a full (or maximum) pension after 41 years 11 months of service. (80% of their high 3 average yearly pay)

For FERS there is no such thing. You get a set percentage for every year of service and the longer you work the more you get as a pension. There is no such thing as a “full Pension” under FERS.