Questions Arise Over Benefits Following Greene’s Resignation
WASHINGTON – The impending resignation of Georgia Republican U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene from Congress has led to numerous inquiries and some misunderstandings regarding the healthcare and pension benefits that lawmakers receive after leaving office.
The rules concerning these benefits can be quite complex, influenced by when a member joins and how long they serve. To qualify for retirement benefits, a member must serve a minimum of five years, and Greene meets that criterion, with her official resignation set for January.
Members of Congress who were elected after 1984 generally qualify for the Federal Employees Retirement System, while those who were elected prior may be subject to different calculations under the Public Employees’ Retirement System.
According to the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service, pensions for Congress members are funded partly by contributions from both the employee and employer, similar to other federal positions. The report notes that “under both the CSRS and FERS, members are eligible to receive a pension at age 62 if they have completed at least five years of service.” For those who have served 20 years, they can start receiving a pension at 50, or at any age after 25 years of service. The pension amount is determined by the length of service and the average salary over the highest three years of employment, with a legal cap of 80% of the final salary.
All Congress members also contribute to Social Security, with the associated taxes and benefits being consistent across the board.
Outside of leadership positions, Congress members receive an annual salary of $174,000.
Greene began her time in Washington on January 3, 2021, and will complete just over five years of service upon resigning on January 5. After turning 62, she is set to receive about $8,700 annually for the rest of her life, as she is currently 51.
In contrast, former U.S. Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who was first sworn in on June 2, 1987, will qualify for a much larger pension, given her extensive service duration and higher earnings during her leadership. Reports indicate that Pelosi will receive an estimated annual pension of $107,860 upon her retirement in January 2027.
Healthcare Benefits
A different CRS report indicates that retired or resigned Congress members can purchase health insurance from the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, provided they enrolled in insurance through D.C.’s Affordable Care Act Marketplace during their last five years of service.
While serving, Congress members benefit from federal employer contributions toward their health insurance, as long as they purchase it through the D.C. HealthLink Marketplace created by the Affordable Care Act. The federal subsidy amount varies based on whether the legislator selects individual coverage or coverage that includes eligible family members.
