Is it true that every member of the United States House of Representatives continues to receive his or her full salary every year for life after either retiring or loosing re-election?

Answer 1

No, that is not true.

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.

As it is for all other federal employees, congressional retirement is funded through taxes and the participants' contributions. Members of Congress under FERS ( Federal Employees Retirement System) contribute 1.3 percent of their salary into the FERS retirement plan and pay 6.2 percent of their salary in Social Security taxes.

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. Members 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.