Do all former congressmen get a pension that we pay for?

I did a discussion about this a while back because I had read an article about it. It makes me mad to think that for some people crime really does pay. Personally, I think that our legislator make way too much money. Their pay should be based on how much work they actually do. Their pensions should be set up the same way as everyone else. No wonder our government don't care what the little people want or think. The little people have lost all of the power some how.

Readers Digest did a story on this last month called Pension Plans for Cons. I couldn't believe what I was reading. Congressmen convicted of crimes still get their tax funded retirement. When you stop to think of all of the crazy ways that our government waste money this has got to be the worst. A Congressmen can be convicted of bribery or extortion and still get a sweet pension for the rest of his life. The only way to get their sweet pension taken away is for them to commit treason, sabotage, espionage, or some kind of assault on national security. What a sweet deal. Makes me think that I need to become a legislator.

As stated in the article you linked to, pensions depend upon the time in the military, government service, etc. But, yes, we pay for these crooks while they're in prison. I would think a better deterrent would be to cut off all pensions if they are convicted of a crime, but you know that's not going to happen since "they" would be the ones voting on it.

This is further evidence that the congressional pension plan needs to be terminated. All congressmen should have social security substituted for their pension plan.

I think they do indeed get a pension for life, and speakers fees, and consultant fees, whatever happened to the idea of a statesman? Someone who serves his country, not someone who is served by his (or her) country.This is a policy that is broken and needs fixed. We might get more people in who are more able, and less money grubbers if the pot was not so lucrative.

I think that every Federal employee gets a full pension that is paid for by taxpayers. They don't get social security and many of us won't get the full boat either.

From my understanding, that is the way it works. It is crazy isn't it?