Person who knows "George Santos" (or whoever he is) knows why Santos went to congress...

[CousinIT]

Heard on Joy Reid.. the guy said that Santos told him that his only goal was to get to congress. "If I can serve just one term, I'll be set with a lifetime salary and retirement."

THAT is why I think this lifetime salary and retirement + gold standard healthcare for congresspersons -- that WE PAY FOR WHILE WE ARE DENIED THE SAME by our employers -- should be ABOLISHED.

Want to balance the budget? DO THAT. It may not cover all of the debt/deficit. But it will help.

WHILE WE'RE AT IT - impose term limits on congress AND the Supreme Court for the same reason.

[GP6971]

1. I believe a member of Congress

must serve 6 years before they are eligible for retirement and health care benefits.

[elleng]

2. Sounds right. Federal employees, however:

Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS)
All federal employees are automatically enrolled in one of the best retirement systems in the world.

If you were first hired after December 31, 1983, on an appointment with retirement coverage, you are covered by FERS. You are also covered if you transferred to FERS during a FERS open season.

The FERS is a three-tiered plan made up of:

a basic annuity,
Social Security, and
a tax-deferred retirement savings and investment plan called the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)

Under both CSRS and FERS, Members of Congress are eligible for a pension at the age of 62 if they have completed at least five years of service. Members are eligible for a pension at age 50 if they have completed 20 years of service, or at any age after completing 25 years of service.

[GP6971]

3. Many thanks

for confirming how ill informed whatever his name is.

[elleng]

4. You're welcome.

And happy for the opportunity to distinguish between retired Fed employees (like myself,) and our electeds.

[Scruffy1]

14. There is a carve out for Congress members.

They are act9ally vested after 2 years. Doe most federal and postal workers the rule of 85 applies. Years of service plus age. Postal Inspectors and Law enforcement like FBI are eligible after 20 years. The federal pension is 1% of the average high five years and is actually funded by a payroll deduction. So for s congressman who gets 2 years it would be about $4000 a year after age 62. The good part is the matching funds in the TSP.

[brush]

18. Vested after 2 years? Other sources say it's 5 years.

2 years doesn't sound right. I never heard of that in the public or private sector.

[Samrob]

20. Federal employees PAY into their retirement and Medicare and SS and any tax deferred savings plan.

There is no free ride. And Federal salaries are way below those in comparable positions in the private sector. The huge difference is that Federal retirements are more safe and guaranteed unless the entire Fed government goes under...which is exactly what the McCarthy House is trying to accomplish. Most of them are wealthy enough to live without Federal pensions.

[elleng]

21. Yes, we do/did pay into our retirement plans.

My salary was pretty commensurate with comparable positions in the private sector (attorney,) and SO thankful to have steady/reliable retirement income now.

[Cha]

5. I just searched and it said.. Yeah,

3 terms for Congressional servers for life pension and 1 term for a Senator.

So by that.. fuckhead GS is Shit outta luck.

[GP6971]

7. Yup...screw that POS.

But I guess he belongs in the repug party...a natural grifter. We're in for a long two years.

[Effete Snob]

6. Sounds like bullshit

And term limits are not only a non sequitur, but they are also anti-democratic.

[stopdiggin]

8. stupid bullsh*t. mostly inaccurate

and what isn't misinformed - is stupid low hanging fruit.

And thanks for calling 'term-limits' what it is - a thoroughly undemocratic sh*t for brains notion - that has great appeal for the Archie Bunkers of the world.

You don't like your representative? Don't vote for the miserable SOB! But don't try to tell ME who I can and can't vote for.

Oh - and just to add to the burn - George Santos (the subject of this OP) - is a 'new blood' representative - so, how's that working out for you?

[yellowdogintexas]

12. Amen! The late Speaker Jim Wright often said "We already have them

they are called elections. He was also against them because as a Member of the House it takes a couple of terms to really know the job.

[stopdiggin]

23. two good arguments

against a really dumb (and undemocratic) 'solution looking for a problem.' Thanks.

[sorcrow]

10. The pension thing is a myth

According to Politifact.com, a three-term congressman would be eligible for $17,588 after six years of work upon reaching retirement age of 62.

This article also lays it out in some detail
https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/2015/01/23/fact-check-does-one-term-congress-member-get-full-pension/15648164007/

Best regards,
Sorghum Crow

[Hamlette]

11. yes, the pension depends on how many years served

like federal employees it is about 2% of salary per year served so if you served 5 years, you'd get 10% of your last three years' salary when you reach retirement age. The medical benefits are similar to medicare so no big advantage there either.

As a state employee I had to work 4 years to be eligible and got 2% of the average of my last 3 years' salary for each year work. But again, I had to reach retirement age.

People who think Congresspeople are overpaid are nuts. You have to live in DC so that salary goes pretty fast if you move your family for what might only be 2 years or you support two households. No thanks.

[madville]

16. Regular federal employees get 1% a year

Federal Law Enforcement and Congress get a little more, around 1.5% a year times years of service.

I had 16 years of federal civilian service, it’s 16% of my high-3 salary years at age 62, I’ll get like $1000 a month. I can take it early at 57 for a 25% penalty and get like $750, better than nothing I guess lol. Definitely gonna take it early and then SS at 62.5, already have military retirement and VA compensation so it’s just a piece of the puzzle.

[Hamlette]

17. sorry, I was wrong

thanks for the correction. It is now 1% for state employees in my state now but was 2% when I was hired so it continued at that rate until I retired 5 years ago. It's a great pension for me.

[madville]

19. That's great for you

Glad you were grandfathered in at the old rate.

That’s why I left my federal job and and came to work for a large city, better pay but more importantly the municipal pension here is 2.25% a year, more than double the federal FERS pension system I was previously under.

[Hamlette]

22. yes, I worked for state agencies for nearly 30 years

I loved my job. I've been extremely lucky.

I also advise you to save some $ towards retirement. Our state allowed us to put money in a 401K and while the state didn't match it, it has some excellent accounts we can choose where they invest in the stock market which also helps. With covid not as great a risk as it has been, I took my little family (1 kid 1 d-i-l and 2 darling grandchildren) on a great trip to Turkey during the Christmas break. Living the life.

Hope you are as lucky!

[progressoid]

13. Congress ppl don't get full pay when they leave office, no matter how long they have served.

[madville]

15. He's an idiot

That’s not the way it works at all. Would have to do 5 years to be vested and it’s only about 1.5% of their annual salary times their years of service so at 5 years that would only be around 7.5% or like $13,000 a year not payable without penalty until age 62.