To: The United States House of Representatives and The United States Senate
Congressional Retirement / Age limitations
Congressional retirement standards should not be in excess of U.S. Military Personnel.
Why is this important?
According to the Congressional Research Service, as of Oct. 1, 2013: 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.
Though this is a leadership role, it is no more and no less significant than the years of contractual service of our service members. As seen above, dependent upon age, you may draw a pension from the federal as short as only serving for five years. Furthermore, there is no federally mandated retirement age for congressional members.
Proposed: All congressional elected members should be held to the same standard of retirement as U.S. service members. Upon completion of 20 years of elected service, said individuals may receive a pension not to exceed 50% of their former wages. Upon completion of 30 years of elected service, said individuals may receive a pension not to exceed 75% of their former wages. Should the member serve so much as one (1) day less than a full 20-year term, no pension will be afforded them.
Under -10 USC 1251 Statutory Retirement for Active Duty Officers due to age.
Age 62, on the 1st day of the month after birthday month.
May be waived to age 68 for Chaplains and Health Care Professionals performing patient care or clinical duties (doctors, nurses, dentists).
There is no competent reason that Elected individuals should exceed this standard.
Reference:
-10 USC 6323, OPNAVINST 1811.3A Voluntary Retirement for Active Duty Officers (20 years)
20 years and 1 day of Active Duty Service
-10 USC 6322, OPNAVINST 1811.3A Voluntary Retirement for Active Duty Officers (30 years)
30 years and 1 day of Active Duty Service
Though this is a leadership role, it is no more and no less significant than the years of contractual service of our service members. As seen above, dependent upon age, you may draw a pension from the federal as short as only serving for five years. Furthermore, there is no federally mandated retirement age for congressional members.
Proposed: All congressional elected members should be held to the same standard of retirement as U.S. service members. Upon completion of 20 years of elected service, said individuals may receive a pension not to exceed 50% of their former wages. Upon completion of 30 years of elected service, said individuals may receive a pension not to exceed 75% of their former wages. Should the member serve so much as one (1) day less than a full 20-year term, no pension will be afforded them.
Under -10 USC 1251 Statutory Retirement for Active Duty Officers due to age.
Age 62, on the 1st day of the month after birthday month.
May be waived to age 68 for Chaplains and Health Care Professionals performing patient care or clinical duties (doctors, nurses, dentists).
There is no competent reason that Elected individuals should exceed this standard.
Reference:
-10 USC 6323, OPNAVINST 1811.3A Voluntary Retirement for Active Duty Officers (20 years)
20 years and 1 day of Active Duty Service
-10 USC 6322, OPNAVINST 1811.3A Voluntary Retirement for Active Duty Officers (30 years)
30 years and 1 day of Active Duty Service