Time To Put An End To Congressional Pensions & Lifetime Health Care.

[Bluenorthwest]

6. First, the do work like any other pension plan, second, in pension plans you don't take it with

you and move it to some new account. It's a pension plan, not a 401K. Congress has a 5 year vesting period, for full benefits, with the Senate qualifying for partial benefits at 62 with just one year of service.
"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. The amount of the pension depends on years of service and the average of the highest three years of salary. By law, the starting amount of a Member’s retirement annuity may not exceed 80% of his or her final salary."

Traditional pension plans are not something you can cash out of and move to another pension plan.