Much has been made of "Entitlement reform" to balance the federal budget. Since Social Security, a retirement program every worker has paid into, is considered an entitlement. It is only fair that Congress reform their own taxpayer funded entitlement before they demand workers make sacrifices to their retirement.
As of October 1, 2011, 495 retired Members of Congress were receiving federal pensions based
fully or in part on their congressional service. Of this number, 280 had retired under CSRS and
were receiving an average annual pension of $70,620. A total of 215 Members had retired with
service under FERS and were receiving an average annual pension of $39,576 in 2011.
Let members keep their 1.3% contribution and eliminate this sweetheart deal.