Posted on Apr 30, 2015
Should Congressmen and Senators have to cut their own benefits before touching military benefits?
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Currently after serving one term in the Senate and two in Congress, that elected official is entitled to a lifetime full pension and full health retirement benefits, for themselves and their families as well as other benefits... isn't that socialism?
Republicans and Democrats alike are supporting hacking the benefits of the 1% of the country that has served.
Republicans and Democrats alike are supporting hacking the benefits of the 1% of the country that has served.
Retirement
Benefits
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 22
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I know this much: the Military has a hell of a lot higher approval rating than Congress does. Take that for what it's worth....
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That's what they should have been doing for the longest time. They are mostly useless, bickering fools who make 2 year old children look mature.
Retirement should be similar to that of the military, 50% after 20 years of service and increased 2.5% yearly same as the military until 75% is reached. And make them pay for their Healthcare and Dental just as we retirees do.
Retirement should be similar to that of the military, 50% after 20 years of service and increased 2.5% yearly same as the military until 75% is reached. And make them pay for their Healthcare and Dental just as we retirees do.
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From the President down should look at cutting their benefits before ours. I personally feel that Congress and Senate should only be paid during elected term - after term limits are established or you are removed then you have to go back in society and live on what you have passed.
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LEADERSHIP: never ask anything of your soldiers that you are unwilling or unable to do, something about being out front and well all that stuff they shove in your face while you are in service ABSOLUTELY THEY SHOULD GO FIRST and not by a little bit or a percentage, it should be time served just like those who do four times the service that some elected official does for what they get paid and the benefits they get for only 4 years of "service" its a crock and for what they do for everyone that has served they should take no pay with all the hair brained ideas they come up with to cut people out of what they earned. Id love to see the day when they lead by example like they expect of the service people that wear the uniform. Something about politics and politicians being something comes to mind lol
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I'd really like to know where the healthcare and pension benefit myths come from. Members of congress do not get a full pension even after multiple terms, and congressional healthcare is even worse. Prior to 2014, congress participated in the federal employee health benefits program, and only while they were actively serving. However, that changed and congress is now required to use healthcare from the market, thanks to the affordable care act. Congressional pay is pretty good, but that's important to ensure we can elect anyone, and not just those who are independently wealthy.
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2d Lt (Join to see)
I stated why I believe their pay is reasonable. But I'm less interested in defending their pay, and more interested in using accurate information. If someone is going to discuss, persuade, or complain, they should strive to do it accurately. Moreover, we are professionals. We should always strive to be accurate in all that we do.
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2d Lt (Join to see)
No PFC will get elected for anything beyond a position in the junior enlisted council, and you know it. We don't want average Joe off the street anyway, we want an educated person who at least appears intelligent, and hopefully has a track record of success.
Now, there are varying degrees of wealth, and you really only need minor wealth to get elected. Why? Because everyone else pays for the campaign.
So then why does it matter? It matters because congress is a demanding job, and an important one. Most in congress have to pay for two places to live, and we're competing against companies who would like to hire them. Members of congress cannot hold other employment, they can only hold their single federal job.
So if you'd vote for PFC Snuffy over J.C. Cash, go ahead, but I'd rather vote for, and keep, the person who has already proven success in their current line of work.
Now, there are varying degrees of wealth, and you really only need minor wealth to get elected. Why? Because everyone else pays for the campaign.
So then why does it matter? It matters because congress is a demanding job, and an important one. Most in congress have to pay for two places to live, and we're competing against companies who would like to hire them. Members of congress cannot hold other employment, they can only hold their single federal job.
So if you'd vote for PFC Snuffy over J.C. Cash, go ahead, but I'd rather vote for, and keep, the person who has already proven success in their current line of work.
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LTC (Join to see)
TSGT Edtl,
I stand corrected, in a way.... It take 2.5 terms or 5 years for members of Congress and 1 term (7 year term) for a Senator to receive retirement benefits for life. Whereas a servicemember needs to complete 20 or get nothing. Serving in Public Office is hardly more risky or dangerous than service in military. Also they voted to exclude themselves from sequestration and pay freezes; all while being paid $174,000 dollars a year on taxpayers dime. Even if they 'pay' now for Federal insurance they can 'retire at 5 years'. Its a crazy concept. Then add in that they can be seen for unlimited visits and tests at the Office of the Attending Physician as well
"current members (but not their dependents) can receive medical and emergency dental care at military hospitals and clinics. Inpatient care is covered by FEHBP insurance, but outpatient care is free if it's performed at facilities in the national capital region, such as Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland or Walter Reed Army Medical Center in the District of Columbia." That a hell of a deal for 5 years safe stateside 'service' at a paltry $174,000! Do they deserve more than someone willing to risk their life for their country?
I stand corrected, in a way.... It take 2.5 terms or 5 years for members of Congress and 1 term (7 year term) for a Senator to receive retirement benefits for life. Whereas a servicemember needs to complete 20 or get nothing. Serving in Public Office is hardly more risky or dangerous than service in military. Also they voted to exclude themselves from sequestration and pay freezes; all while being paid $174,000 dollars a year on taxpayers dime. Even if they 'pay' now for Federal insurance they can 'retire at 5 years'. Its a crazy concept. Then add in that they can be seen for unlimited visits and tests at the Office of the Attending Physician as well
"current members (but not their dependents) can receive medical and emergency dental care at military hospitals and clinics. Inpatient care is covered by FEHBP insurance, but outpatient care is free if it's performed at facilities in the national capital region, such as Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland or Walter Reed Army Medical Center in the District of Columbia." That a hell of a deal for 5 years safe stateside 'service' at a paltry $174,000! Do they deserve more than someone willing to risk their life for their country?
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LTC (Join to see)
it also seems that if they time it right they get a FULL pension not the $40,000 that I think is great but even better
"Congressional pension is a pension made available to members of the United States Congress. Members who participated in the congressional pension system are vested after five (5) years of service.
(pretty awesome as ours is vested after 20 years of service)
A full pension is available to Members 62 years of age with 5 years of service;
(thats FULL retirement for 5 years of service on a $174,000 dollar salary)
50 years or older with 20 years of service; or 25 years of service at any age. A reduced pension is available depending upon which of several different age/service options is chosen. If Members leave Congress before reaching retirement age, they may leave their contributions behind and receive a deferred pension later.[1] The current pension program, effective January 1987, is under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), which covers members and other federal employees whose federal employment began in 1984 or later. This replaces the older Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) for most members of congress and federal employees."
"Congressional pension is a pension made available to members of the United States Congress. Members who participated in the congressional pension system are vested after five (5) years of service.
(pretty awesome as ours is vested after 20 years of service)
A full pension is available to Members 62 years of age with 5 years of service;
(thats FULL retirement for 5 years of service on a $174,000 dollar salary)
50 years or older with 20 years of service; or 25 years of service at any age. A reduced pension is available depending upon which of several different age/service options is chosen. If Members leave Congress before reaching retirement age, they may leave their contributions behind and receive a deferred pension later.[1] The current pension program, effective January 1987, is under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), which covers members and other federal employees whose federal employment began in 1984 or later. This replaces the older Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) for most members of congress and federal employees."
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It has always been my long held belief that congressional members can keep their benefits, as long as they no longer expect any military member to protect them or their families. From the day they start collecting benefits, they might want to pick up their own M4 and learn what sacrifice is really all about. It certainly isn't safely from your congressional seat!
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That's an outstanding idea !! I sincerely believe that our elected officials should LEAD by EXAMPLE !!! And I am very happy to say thanks to our Military for NOT functioning like our Elected officials ...
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