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Congress of the United States: Difference between revisions
Congress of the United States (view source)
Revision as of 00:04, 22 December 2024
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Members elected since 1984 are covered by the [[Federal Employees Retirement System]] (FERS). Like other federal employees, congressional retirement is funded through taxes and participants' contributions. Members of Congress under FERS contribute 1.3% of their salary into the FERS retirement plan and pay 6.2% of their salary in Social Security taxes. And like federal employees, members contribute one-third of the cost of health insurance with the government covering the other two-thirds.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Scott |first=Walter |date=April 25, 2010 |title=Personality Parade column:Q. Does Congress pay for its own health care? |publisher=Parade |location=New York, NY |page=2}}</ref> The size of a congressional pension depends on the years of service and the average of the highest three years of their salary. By law, the starting amount of a member's retirement annuity may not exceed 80% of their final salary. In 2018, the average annual pension for retired senators and representatives under the [[Civil Service Retirement System]] (CSRS) was $75,528, while those who retired under FERS, or in combination with CSRS, was $41,208.<ref>[https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/RL/RL30631 Retirement Benefits for Members of Congress] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014010935/https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/RL/RL30631|date=October 14, 2022}} (PDF). [[Congressional Research Service]], August 8, 2019.</ref> | Members elected since 1984 are covered by the [[Federal Employees Retirement System]] (FERS). Like other federal employees, congressional retirement is funded through taxes and participants' contributions. Members of Congress under FERS contribute 1.3% of their salary into the FERS retirement plan and pay 6.2% of their salary in Social Security taxes. And like federal employees, members contribute one-third of the cost of health insurance with the government covering the other two-thirds.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Scott |first=Walter |date=April 25, 2010 |title=Personality Parade column:Q. Does Congress pay for its own health care? |publisher=Parade |location=New York, NY |page=2}}</ref> The size of a congressional pension depends on the years of service and the average of the highest three years of their salary. By law, the starting amount of a member's retirement annuity may not exceed 80% of their final salary. In 2018, the average annual pension for retired senators and representatives under the [[Civil Service Retirement System]] (CSRS) was $75,528, while those who retired under FERS, or in combination with CSRS, was $41,208.<ref>[https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/RL/RL30631 Retirement Benefits for Members of Congress] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014010935/https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/RL/RL30631|date=October 14, 2022}} (PDF). [[Congressional Research Service]], August 8, 2019.</ref> | ||
Members of Congress make fact-finding missions to learn about other countries and stay informed, but these outings can cause controversy if the trip is deemed excessive or unconnected with the task of governing. For example, '' | Members of Congress make fact-finding missions to learn about other countries and stay informed, but these outings can cause controversy if the trip is deemed excessive or unconnected with the task of governing. For example, ''The Wall Street Journal'' reported in 2009 that lawmaker trips abroad at taxpayer expense had included spas, $300-per-night extra unused rooms, and shopping excursions.<ref name="tws17decaafds">{{cite news |author1=Brody Mullins |author2=T.W. Farnam |name-list-style=amp |date=December 17, 2009 |title=Congress Travels More, Public Pays: Lawmakers Ramp Up Taxpayer-Financed Journeys; Five Days in Scotland |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB126092430041092995?mod=rss_com_mostcommentart |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214521/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB126092430041092995?mod=rss_com_mostcommentart |archive-date=January 14, 2021 |access-date=December 17, 2009 |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref> Some lawmakers responded that "traveling with spouses compensates for being away from them a lot in Washington" and justify the trips as a way to meet officials in other nations.<ref name="tws17decaafds" /> | ||
By the [[Twenty-seventh Amendment to the United States Constitution|Twenty-seventh Amendment]], changes to congressional pay may not take effect before the next election to the House of the Representatives.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Constitutional Amendments – Amendment 27 – "Financial Compensation for the Congress" |url=https://www.reaganlibrary.gov/constitutional-amendments-amendment-27-financial-compensation-congress |access-date=2024-05-17 |website=Ronald Reagan |language=en}}</ref> In ''Boehner v. Anderson'', the [[United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit]] ruled that the amendment does not affect [[Cost-of-living index|cost-of-living adjustments]].<ref>30 [[Federal Reporter|F.3d]] 156 (D.C. Cir. 1994)</ref><ref name=":0" /> | By the [[Twenty-seventh Amendment to the United States Constitution|Twenty-seventh Amendment]], changes to congressional pay may not take effect before the next election to the House of the Representatives.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Constitutional Amendments – Amendment 27 – "Financial Compensation for the Congress" |url=https://www.reaganlibrary.gov/constitutional-amendments-amendment-27-financial-compensation-congress |access-date=2024-05-17 |website=Ronald Reagan |language=en}}</ref> In ''Boehner v. Anderson'', the [[United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit]] ruled that the amendment does not affect [[Cost-of-living index|cost-of-living adjustments]].<ref>30 [[Federal Reporter|F.3d]] 156 (D.C. Cir. 1994)</ref><ref name=":0" /> | ||