Congressional Pay And Perks Salaries Pension And Retirement Franking Travel And Other Benefits For Us Senators And Representatives

Author : Ida A. Brudnick
Publisher : TheCapitol.Net Inc
ISBN 13 : 1587331659
Total Pages : 294 pages
Book Rating : 4.57/5 ( download)

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Download or read book Congressional Pay and Perks: Salaries, Pension and Retirement, Franking, Travel, and Other Benefits for U.S. Senators and Representatives written by Ida A. Brudnick and published by TheCapitol.Net Inc. This book was released on 2010-02 with total page 294 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Congressional pay and perks are examined in detail in this reference compiledby TheCapitol.Net.

Author : Ida Brudnick
Publisher : The Capitol Net Inc
ISBN 13 : 9781587332159
Total Pages : 294 pages
Book Rating : 4.59/5 ( download)

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Download or read book Congressional Pay and Perks written by Ida Brudnick and published by The Capitol Net Inc. This book was released on 2010-12 with total page 294 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Congress is required by Article I, Section 6, of the Constitution to determine its own pay. Prior to 1969, Congress did so by enacting stand-alone legislation. From 1789 through 1968, Congress raised its pay 22 times using this procedure. Members were initially paid per diem. The first annual salaries, in 1815, were $1,500. Per diem pay was reinstituted in 1817. Congress returned to annual salaries, at a rate of $3,000, in 1855. By 1968, pay had risen to $30,000. Stand-alone legislation may still be used to raise Member pay, as it was most recently in 1982, 1983, 1989, and 1991; but two other methods--including an automatic annual adjustment procedure and a commission process--are now also available. The Ethics Reform Act of 1989 established the current formula for automatic annual adjustments, which is based on changes in private sector wages and salaries as measured by the Employment Cost Index. The adjustment goes into effect automatically unless denied statutorily by Congress, although the percentage may not exceed the percentage base pay increase for General Schedule employees. Allowances are available to Representatives and Senators to support them in their official and representational duties as Members. These allowances cover official office expenses, staff, mail, and other goods and services. Despite significant reductions in congressional mail postage costs over the past 20 years, critics continue to raise concerns that the franking privilege is both financially wasteful and gives unfair advantages to incumbents in congressional elections. In particular, mass mailings have come under increased scrutiny as critics argue that the vast majority of franked mail is unsolicited and, in effect, publicly funded campaign literature. Members of Congress first elected in 1984 or later are covered automatically under the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS), unless they decline this coverage. Those who already were in Congress when Social Security coverage went into effect could either remain in CSRS or change their coverage to FERS. Members are now covered under one of four different retirement arrangements: CSRS and Social Security; The "CSRS Offset" plan, which includes both CSRS and Social Security, but with CSRS contributions and benefits reduced by Social Security contributions and benefits; FERS and Social Security; or Social Security alone. Congressional pensions, like those of other federal employees, are financed through a combination of employee and employer contributions. All Members pay Social Security payroll taxes equal to 6.2% of the Social Security taxable wage base ($102,000 in 2008 and $106,800 in 2009). Members enrolled in FERS also pay 1.3% of full salary to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund. In 2008, Members covered by CSRS Offset pay 1.8% of the first $102,000 of salary, and 8.0% of salary above this amount, into the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund. Under both CSRS and FERS, Members of Congress are eligible for a pension at age 62 if they have completed at least five years of service. Members are eligible for a pension at age 50 if they have completed 20 years of service, or at any age after completing 25 years of service. The amount of the pension depends on years of service and the average of the highest three years of salary. By law, the starting amount of a Member's retirement annuity may not exceed 80% of his or her final salary. After Members of the House leave office, they are afforded certain courtesies and privileges. Some are derived from House Rules, but many are courtesies that have been extended as a matter of custom. Former Representatives who become lobbyists have limited privileges. See full Table of Contents at https://www.thecapitol.net/Publications/GovernmentSeries/1657_CongressionalPayAndPerks.html

Author : Ida Brudnick
Publisher : The Capitol Net Inc
ISBN 13 : 1587332159
Total Pages : 301 pages
Book Rating : 4.59/5 ( download)

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Download or read book Congressional Pay and Perks written by Ida Brudnick and published by The Capitol Net Inc. This book was released on 2010-12-01 with total page 301 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Congress is required by Article I, Section 6, of the Constitution to determine its own pay. Prior to 1969, Congress did so by enacting stand-alone legislation. From 1789 through 1968, Congress raised its pay 22 times using this procedure. Members were initially paid per diem. The first annual salaries, in 1815, were $1,500. Per diem pay was reinstituted in 1817. Congress returned to annual salaries, at a rate of $3,000, in 1855. By 1968, pay had risen to $30,000. Stand-alone legislation may still be used to raise Member pay, as it was most recently in 1982, 1983, 1989, and 1991; but two other methods--including an automatic annual adjustment procedure and a commission process--are now also available. The Ethics Reform Act of 1989 established the current formula for automatic annual adjustments, which is based on changes in private sector wages and salaries as measured by the Employment Cost Index. The adjustment goes into effect automatically unless denied statutorily by Congress, although the percentage may not exceed the percentage base pay increase for General Schedule employees. Allowances are available to Representatives and Senators to support them in their official and representational duties as Members. These allowances cover official office expenses, staff, mail, and other goods and services. Despite significant reductions in congressional mail postage costs over the past 20 years, critics continue to raise concerns that the franking privilege is both financially wasteful and gives unfair advantages to incumbents in congressional elections. In particular, mass mailings have come under increased scrutiny as critics argue that the vast majority of franked mail is unsolicited and, in effect, publicly funded campaign literature. Members of Congress first elected in 1984 or later are covered automatically under the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS), unless they decline this coverage. Those who already were in Congress when Social Security coverage went into effect could either remain in CSRS or change their coverage to FERS. Members are now covered under one of four different retirement arrangements: CSRS and Social Security; The "CSRS Offset" plan, which includes both CSRS and Social Security, but with CSRS contributions and benefits reduced by Social Security contributions and benefits; FERS and Social Security; or Social Security alone. Congressional pensions, like those of other federal employees, are financed through a combination of employee and employer contributions. All Members pay Social Security payroll taxes equal to 6.2% of the Social Security taxable wage base ($102,000 in 2008 and $106,800 in 2009). Members enrolled in FERS also pay 1.3% of full salary to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund. In 2008, Members covered by CSRS Offset pay 1.8% of the first $102,000 of salary, and 8.0% of salary above this amount, into the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund. Under both CSRS and FERS, Members of Congress are eligible for a pension at age 62 if they have completed at least five years of service. Members are eligible for a pension at age 50 if they have completed 20 years of service, or at any age after completing 25 years of service. The amount of the pension depends on years of service and the average of the highest three years of salary. By law, the starting amount of a Member's retirement annuity may not exceed 80% of his or her final salary. After Members of the House leave office, they are afforded certain courtesies and privileges. Some are derived from House Rules, but many are courtesies that have been extended as a matter of custom. Former Representatives who become lobbyists have limited privileges. See full Table of Contents at https://www.thecapitol.net/Publications/GovernmentSeries/1657_CongressionalPayAndPerks.html

Author : Kathryn M. Green
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9781613245248
Total Pages : 0 pages
Book Rating : 4.46/5 ( download)

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Download or read book Salaries and Benefits for Members of Congress written by Kathryn M. Green and published by . This book was released on 2011 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book summarises the current salary of members of Congress, limits on their outside earned income and honoraria, and applicable health insurance and retirement benefits. It also provides information on allowances available to Representatives and Senators to support them in their official and representational duties as members. These allowances cover office expenses, staff, mail, and other goods and services. Also listed are the salaries of congressional officers and officials and salary limits for committee staff.

Author : United States. Congress. House. Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Subcommittee on Compensation and Pensions
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 160 pages
Book Rating : 4.1A/5 ( download)

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Download or read book Service-connected Compensation written by United States. Congress. House. Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Subcommittee on Compensation and Pensions and published by . This book was released on 1958 with total page 160 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Author : United States. Congress. House. Committee on Veterans' Affairs
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 336 pages
Book Rating : 4.56/5 ( download)

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Download or read book Compensation and Pension Bills for Veterans and Their Dependents written by United States. Congress. House. Committee on Veterans' Affairs and published by . This book was released on 1954 with total page 336 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Includes numerous submitted VA and other Federal agency reports.

Author : United States. Congress. House. Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Subcommittee on Compensation and Pensions
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 550 pages
Book Rating : 4.29/5 ( download)

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Download or read book Pension Bills Providing Non-service-connected Pension Benefits for Veterans of All Wars written by United States. Congress. House. Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Subcommittee on Compensation and Pensions and published by . This book was released on 1964 with total page 550 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Author : Bill Heniff
Publisher : The Capitol Net Inc
ISBN 13 : 1587332140
Total Pages : 154 pages
Book Rating : 4.42/5 ( download)

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Download or read book Congressional Authorizations and Appropriations: How Congress Exercises the Power of the Purse through Authorizing Legislation, Appropriations Measures, Supplemental Appropriations, Earmarks, and Enforcing the Authorization-Appropriations Process written by Bill Heniff and published by The Capitol Net Inc. This book was released on 2010 with total page 154 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: While the power over appropriations is granted to Congress by the U.S. Constitution, the authorization appropriation process is derived from House and Senate rules. This reference examines the formal process.

Author : Michael Ratner
Publisher : The Capitol Net Inc
ISBN 13 : 1587332183
Total Pages : 659 pages
Book Rating : 4.80/5 ( download)

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Download or read book Energy: Nuclear written by Michael Ratner and published by The Capitol Net Inc. This book was released on with total page 659 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Part of the government series on energy, from TheCapitol.Net, this text discusses the nuclear energy issues facing Congress including federal incentives for new commercial reactors, radioactive waste management policy, research and development priorities, power plant safety and regulation, nuclear weapons proliferation, and security against terrorist attacks.

Author : Denis Steven Rutkus
Publisher : TheCapitol.Net Inc
ISBN 13 : 1587332248
Total Pages : 215 pages
Book Rating : 4.41/5 ( download)

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Download or read book Supreme Court Nominations written by Denis Steven Rutkus and published by TheCapitol.Net Inc. This book was released on 2009 with total page 215 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This volume explores the Supreme Court Justice appointment process--from Presidential announcement, Judiciary Committee investigation, confirmation hearings, vote, and report to the Senate, through Senate debate and vote on the nomination.