Congressional Pay and Perks (Softcover and ebook)
Salaries, Pension and Retirement, Franking, Travel, and Other Benefits for U.S. Senators and Representatives

Compiled by TheCapitol.Net

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.

 

2010, 294 pages Softcover, $19.95 ISBN: 1587331659   ISBN 13: 978-1-58733-165-7 Buy softcover from Amazon   Buy softcover from Barnes & Noble Ebook: $9.95 EISBN 13: 9781587332159 Available from your favorite bookseller

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Synopsis	Table of Contents	Related Resources

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.
 

 

Links to more information about Congressional pay and perquisites is available on our web page at: CongressPay.com

 

Table of Contents

Introduction

1.  "Salaries of Members of Congress: Congressional Votes, 1990-2009," CRS Report for Congress 97-615, January 12, 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
(see CRS Report 97-615, August 18, 2018, 39-page PDF)  

2.  "Salaries of Members of Congress: Recent Actions and Historical Tables," CRS Report for Congress 97-1011H, January 12, 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
(see CRS Report 97-1011, August 18, 2020, 31-page PDF)  

3. Congressional Salaries and Allowances," CRS Report for Congress RL30064H, July 14, 2009. . . . . . 41
(see CRS Report RL30064, December 30, 2019, 17-page PDF)  

4. "Legislative Branch Staffing, 1954-2007," CRS Report for Congress R40056, October 15, 2008 . . . . . 57

5.  "Retirement Benefits for Members of Congress," CRS Report for Congress RL30631H, October 28, 2008 . . . . . . 73
(see CRS Report RL30631, August 8, 2019, 23-page PDF)  

6.  "Brief Facts About Congressional Pensions," CRS Report for Congress 94-740, January 13, 2004 . . . . . . 89

7.  "Selected Privileges and Courtesies Extended to Departing and Former Members of the House of Representatives," CRS Report for Congress 98-962H, August 19, 2008 . . . . . . 91
(see CRS Report R41121, December 5, 2014, 8-page PDF)  

8.  "Former Speakers of the House: Office Allowances, Franking Privileges, and Staff Assistance," CRS Report for Congress RS20099H, August 28, 2007 . . . . . . . 101
(see CRS Report RS20099, September 28, 2018, 9-page PDF)  

9.  "Franking Privilege: An Analysis of Member Mass Mailings in the House, 1997-2007," CRS Report for Congress RL34458, April 16, 2008 . . . . . . 109
(see CRS Report RL34458, May 6, 2015, 16-page PDF)

10.  "Congressional Official Mail Costs," CRS Report for Congress RL34188H, March 26, 2008. . . . . . 119
(see CRS Report RL34188, April 21, 2015, 14-page PDF)

11.  "Franking Privilege: Historical Development and Options for Change," CRS Report for Congress RL34274, September 8, 2008 . . . . . 131
(see CRS Report RL34274, April 22, 2015, 29-page PDF)

12.  "Members of Congress Who Die in Office: Historic and Current Practices," CRS Report for Congress RL34347H, August 26, 2009 . . . . . 157
(see CRS Report RL34347, April 25, 2012, 32-page PDF and "Members of the House of Representatives Lying in State in the U.S. Capitol," CRS Insight IN11472, July 28, 2020, 6-page PDF )

13.  From the Congressional Deskbook: Chapter 1, "Being a Member of Congress," by Michael L. Koempel and Judy Schneider . . . . .  181

1.00  Introduction
1.10  Who . . . Gets . . . What!
1.20  Congress, the Political Institution
1.30  A Member of Congress as Politician, Policymaker, and Parliamentarian
1.40  Obligations and Perquisites
1.50  Ever-Changing and Unpredictable Schedules
1.51  Example of a Senior House Member's Daily Schedule
1.52  Example of a Freshman House Member's Daily Schedule
1.53  Excerpt from House's Daily Schedule (GOP Source)
1.54  Excerpt from House's Daily Schedule (Democratic Source)
1.55  Floor Discussion of Schedule Changes
1.60  Family Life
1.70  Staying in Congress
 

14.  From the Congressional Deskbook: Chapter 5, "Supporting Congress: Allowances and Staff," by Michael L. Koempel and Judy Schneider . . . . .  . . . . . 201

5.00  Introduction
5.10  Pay and Allowances of Members
5.20  Salary, Earned Income, and Benefits
5.30  House Allowances for Staff, Office, and Other Expenses
5.40  Senate Allowances for Staff, Office, and Other Expenses
5.41  Senators' Official Personnel and Office Expense Account
5.50  Franking Privilege
5.60  Personal Staff
5.61  Staff Salary Data
5.62  Congressional Staff Organizations
5.70  Committee and Subcommittee Staff
5.80  House of Representatives Committee Funding
5.90  Senate Committee Funding
5.100  Congressional Fellowships and Internships
5.110  Administrative Offices of the House
5.111  Chaplains and Guest Chaplains
5.112  Selling Products and Services to Congress
5.113  Congressional Pages
5.120  Administrative Offices of the Senate
5.121  Architect of the Capitol
5.122  Office of the Attending Physician
5.123  Capitol Police
5.130  Legislative-Branch Support Agencies
5.131  Requesting GAO Assistance
5.140  Government Printing Office
5.150  Congressional Accountability Act
5.160  General Services Administration
5.170  Congressional Liaison Offices
5.171  Liaison Offices on Capitol Hill
5.172  Duties of a Congressional Liaison Office
5.173  General Counsel Offices
5.180  Office of Management and Budget
5.190  Outside Groups
5.191  Congressional Spouse Organizations
 

15.  From the Congressional Deskbook: Chapter 6, "Supporting Congress: The Capitol Complex," by Michael L. Koempel and Judy Schneider . . . . .  . . . . . 251
U.S. Capitol Visitor Center

6.00  Introduction
6.10  U.S. Capitol and Grounds
6.11  The Lantern and Flags
6.12  Current Projects at the Capitol
6.13  Statues in National Statuary Hall
6.14  Those Who Have Lain in State or in Honor in the Capitol Rotunda
6.15  Resources on the Capitol
6.20  Guide to Public Buildings on Capitol Hill
6.21  Capitol Hill Map
6.22  Capitol Security
6.23  The Capitol's Second (Principal) Floor
6.24  House Office Buildings
6.25  Senate Office Buildings
6.30  Bells and Lights: Senate and House Signals
 

16.  Other Resources From TheCapitol.Net . . . .  281

Web Pages

- FAQ: Pay and Perquisites of Members of Congress
www.CongressPay.com

Capitol Learning Audio Courses ^TM
www.CapitolLearning.com

- What Your Member of Congress Can Do for You: Gallery Passes, Flags, Presidential Greetings, and Help with Federal Agencies, ISBN: 1587330733
 

Live Courses

- Capitol Hill Workshop
  www.CapitolHillWorkshop.com

 

17.  Other Resources . . . . 282

Congressional Pay and Perks mug by TheCapitolNet

Live Courses

• Congress in a Nutshell: Understanding Congress

• Congressional Dynamics and the Legislative Process

• Capitol Hill Workshop
  

Audio CD  and Print Materials     Online download with MP3 audio and materials in PDF

Capitol Learning Audio Courses Capitol Learning Audio Courses are a convenient way to learn about the legislative process, federal budgeting, media relations, business etiquette, and much more.  Each course is between 1/2 hour and 2 hours long, and includes the course materials.  C-SPAN 1 Viewer's Guide: Making Sense of Watching the House of Representatives: Legislative Procedure, Congressional Jargon, and Floor Plan C-SPAN 2 Viewer's Guide: Making Sense of Watching the Senate: What's Behind the Classical Music What Your Member of Congress Can Do for You: Gallery Passes, Flags, Presidential Greetings, and Help with Federal Agencies Our Capitol Learning Audio Courses can be customized with your logo in quantities of 250 to 10,000 copies.  Contact our Client Liaison for details.

Also see these related publications

Congressional Staff: Selected Duties, Functions and Pay Levels	Congressional Pay and Perks	Revolving Door Lobbying: Public Service, Private Influence, and the Unequal Representation of Interests	Do Members of Congress Reward Their Future Employers? Evaluating the Revolving Door Syndrome
Congress as Public Enemy: Public Attitudes toward American Political Institutions	What Washington Gets Wrong: The Unelected Officials Who Actually Run the Government and Their Misconceptions about the American People	The Administrative Threat	The Almanac of the Unelected

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