The 2004 pay for members of congress is $157,000 per annum.
http://www.senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/97-1011.pdf
The 2003 pay for members of congress was $154,700 per annum.
http://www.congresslink.org/sources/salaries.html
Congress: Benefits
?Members of Congress receive retirement and health benefits under the
same plans available to other federal employees. They become vested
after five years of full participation.?
?Members elected since 1984 are covered by the Federal Employees'
Retirement System (FERS). Those elected prior to 1984 were covered by
the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). In 1984 all members were
given the option of remaining with CSRS or switching to FERS."
(..)
?Members of Congress are not eligible for a pension until they reach
the age of 50, but only if they've completed 20 years of service.
Members are eligible at any age after completing 25 years of service
or after they reach the age of 62. Please also note that Member's of
Congress have to serve at least 5 years to even receive a pension.?
?The amount of a Congressperson's pension depends on the years of
service and the average of the highest 3 years of his or her salary.
By law, the starting amount of a Member's retirement annuity may not
exceed 80% of his or her final salary.?
U.S. Gov info: About.com
http://usgovinfo.about.com/library/weekly/aa031200a.htm
Congressional retirement plans
?The Federal retirement plan is superior to that offered by most
companies but elected representatives have a more generous version of
the Federal retirement plan. The Congressional plan's benefit is
calculated on a more generous formula than that offered to most other
government workers. The "accrual rate" is much higher, and lawmakers
tend to be able to retire earlier with benefits than other federal
workers (as early as age 50).?
?Members of Congress under CSRS have an accrual rate of 2.5 percent
for all years served, while most Feds get a sliding rate of between
1.5 and 2.0 percent. For FERS, Members get a 1.7 percent initial rate,
versus 1.1 percent or 1.0 percent for the more common Federal
employee. Also, lawmakers with longer careers in Congress can
generally collect pension benefits at a far earlier age than their
counterparts with similar service elsewhere in the government.?
?With service of 20-25 years, a Member of Congress could retire and
receive as much as 80 percent of his or her final salary.?
Fedsmith
http://www.fedsmith.com/articles/articles.showarticle.db.php?intArticleID=80
Perks
?One of the most obvious perks of serving in Congress is the schedule itself.?
?Members enjoy inexpensive health club membership, a beauty/barber
shop (which once had the distinction of being the original discount
barbershop), subsidized child care, free mail, (not during election
time), free airport parking on occasion, and even a small subway
system.?
Evote
http://www.evote.com/index.asp?Page=/features_section/2001-04/congressperks.asp
?Other congressional perks include: free outpatient care at certain
hospitals; a special $3,000 tax deduction; frequent-flyer miles from
government travel; free meals and vacations from lobbyists and
business groups; access to first-class gyms and tennis courts;
taxpayer subsidized life and health insurance; and a special pension
program.?
Senior Journal
http://www.seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Politics/3-09-05pay.htm
The "Perks" of Office
?Each member of Congress has a office budget allotment which provides
enough money to hire a sizable staff both in Washington, D.C. and back
home in their states or districts. These staffers assist members in
their efforts to be effective, well-liked representatives. In addition
to money for staff, members of Congress also have travel allowances
for trips between Washington and their constituencies as well as for
trips inside their states or districts. One of the most widely
recognized "perks" of House members and Senators is the ability to
send postage-free informational letters or announcements to their
constituents on a regular basis.?
Why are sitting members of Congress almost always reelected?
http://www.thisnation.com/question/016.html
Here is a list of perks
http://www.purepolitics.com/edu/mrsmith/pureperks.htm
Additional information that may interest you:
A Congressional Research Service Report on congressional salaries is
located at http://www.senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/RL30014.pdf
Salaries of Members of Congress: A List of Payable Rates and Effective
Dates, 1789-2004
http://www.senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/97-1011.pdf
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I hope you find this helpful!
Best regards,
Bobbie7 |
