Having long enjoyed their pensions before typical retirement age, members of Congress now face the risk of losing this perk as a result of new legislation introduced in both the House and Senate.

 

Representative Bobby Schilling (R-Illinois) is presenting a bill that would make lawmakers wait until they reach Social Security retirement age before accessing their pensions. A similar bill also was introduced in the Senate by Democrat Sherrod Brown of Ohio.

 

“It’s time for members of Congress to walk in the shoes of everyday Americans,” Brown told the media. “Why should members of Congress be treated differently than a steelworker, a waitress or a nurse?”

 

Depending on their year of birth, non-Congressional Americans become eligible for full retirement benefits between the ages of 65 and 67, although they can draw reduced amounts beginning at the age of 62.

 

On the other hand, lawmakers belonging to the Federal Employees Retirement System are eligible for a full pension at age 62 or older if they have served at least five years in Congress. Some can collect as early as age 50 if they have put in 20 years, and others can receive their checks at any age after completing 25 years of service.

 

Representatives and senators enrolled in the Civil Service Retirement System are eligible for a full pension at age 60 or older after one decade of service, or at age 62 after five years of being in office.

 

As of October 1, 2009, there were 455 retired members of Congress receiving federal pensions.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

 

Proposal Would Make Lawmakers Wait Longer to Tap Pensions (by Emily Long, Government Executive)

Bill Would Tie Lawmakers' Access to Retirement Benefits to Social Security Age (by Kellie Lunney, Government Executive)

Angry at Public Sector Pensions? How about Members of Congress? (by Noel Brinkerhoff and David Wallechinsky, AllGov)