DEAR SUN SPOTS: Last fall there was a letter to the editor in the Sun Journal that said the politicians in Washington, D.C., gave themselves a raise of almost $5,000.

I would like to know what the members of Congress get paid, along with all the benefits they receive, plus what they get after they leave.

From what I hear, a year’s work is a total of 104 days, and most if not all earn $174,000. — L.G., Lewiston

ANSWER: The complete details of congressional pay and benefits would eat up far more than one column, but here are a few facts gleaned online.

To start with, the number of “working days” is actually the days that Congress is in session. This varies from year to year. According to the Huffington Post, in 2013 it was 126 days. This does not mean that senators and representatives are on vacation the rest of the time. When not on the floor of the House or Senate, they still have plenty to do (for example, committee and constituent meetings). 

The $174,000 L.G. quotes is the correct salary for most senators and representatives in 2013. According to www.senate.gov, the speaker of the House (John Boehner, Republican of Ohio) earns $223,500, and the president pro tempore of the Senate (Harry Reid, Democrat of Nevada) and the majority and minority leaders in the House and Senate earn $193,400.

A cost-of-living-adjustment increase takes effect annually unless Congress votes to not to accept it, which happens frequently. The last one proposed was $900, not $5,000. Politifact.com says the last time Congress voted themselves a raise was in January 2009.

According to the Baltimore Sun, civilian federal employees, who have had their pay frozen for several years, will receive a 1 percent raise, but this increase does not include Congress. Through an odd twist, Congress did not vote for this raise, but rather failed to vote to block it, and thus it goes into effect.

As for congressional benefits, members, according to senate.gov, “are eligible to participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program and may select from among several health benefit plans. Participation is on a voluntary, contributory basis.”

Beginning in 2014, they will be limited to plans available through the Affordable Care Act.

Members also are eligible to participate in the Federal Employees Group Life Insurance Program. 

These benefits are not free. Members contribute to them, as would any other federal employee. 

Members of Congress also have access to funds to pay up to 18 employees to assist them in their duties and to run their offices. These amounts vary, but senate.gov says the current average is about $1,353,205 per member.

As for earning “salaries for life,” as one email spam making the rounds claims, that is not true. At politifact.com a spam claiming former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi would earn more than $800,000 per year for the rest of her life was debunked and the following facts provided. 

Members of Congress are eligible for congressional pensions once they are vested after five years of service (which means a representative who only served two terms gets nada). Those pensions can’t be drawn “until retirement age — and can’t be collected while a lawmaker still gets a federal salary. So John Kerry, for example, can’t collect his congressional pension while he serves as secretary of state, according to Pete Sepp of the National Taxpayers Union.”

How much they get in retirement pay is based on their three highest three years of salary and when they started. Lawmakers contribute to both their pensions and Social Security.

Politifact.com notes that: “Most congressional pensions are nowhere near a lawmaker’s salary. … Under current rules, lawmakers could theoretically get more than 80 percent of their salary, but most would need to serve more than 66 years to get that.”

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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