Unemployment deal would cut Congress’ cushy pension
February 16th, 2012 | Pay & Benefits | Posted by Stephen Losey
Key congressional negotiators have just signed off on a conference report to extend the payroll tax cut and unemployment insurance, and there’s an unexpected surprise in there. New members of Congress would no longer get a cushy pension, and would instead get the same annuity as rank-and-file federal employees, according to Ali Ahmad, who is a spokesman for Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif.
Feds under the Federal Employees Retirement System have their pension calculated at either 1 percent or 1.1 percent, depending on their age. But lawmakers under FERS have their pension calculated at 1.7 percent. That, when combined with their much higher salaries, means lawmakers’ pensions are often more than twice those enjoyed by everyday feds.
Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Fla., who is one of Issa’s deputies, has been pushing to eliminate Congress’ pension perk for some time now. If it passes, this would amount to a big win for him.
The deal also would make new federal employees pay 3.1 percent toward their pensions, instead of the current 0.8 percent. And that element isn’t just upsetting federal unions. Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., called the deal “unacceptable” and said he will vote against it. “We must stop targeting these hardworking men and women while not asking others to contribute their fair share,” Hoyer said.
UPDATE: Ross is from Florida, not California.
Tags: Dennis Ross, FERS, pension, Steny Hoyer
Comments
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teresa Says:
February 16th, 2012 at 5:00 pmhave we not sacrificed already with our insurance, gas, and food going up? Also, new employees have also sacrificed with their costs increasing also-maybe when they are unemployed.
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Jeff Says:
February 16th, 2012 at 5:10 pmIt’s about time that Congress chip in and share the sacrifice other feds are facing.
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Fedline » UPDATE: Congress passes bill hiking future feds’ pension contributions Says:
February 17th, 2012 at 12:39 pm[...] same pension rate as everyday feds. But Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Fla., who has been pushing hard to cut Congress’ more-generous pensions and increase feds’ retirement contributions, voted against the bill. Said Ross: We should [...]
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jim Says:
February 18th, 2012 at 8:24 amWhy does Congress even need a pension. They all make far more money and are for the most part independently wealthy anyway. They don’t run for Congress to be paid, they are rich individuals who want the power and control that goes along with their ego.
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bil Says:
August 6th, 2012 at 12:19 pmfederal pension should be means tested.