let's put Congress on social security and take away their gold digging

[msongs]

personal retirement plan. I believe a one term congressman gets a rich retirement/medical package for LIFE even though he/she only serves for 2 years.

contact your local media, politicians, and congress persons and demand they get on SS right away............before its too late LOLOLOL

Msongs
www.msongs.com/political-shirts.htm

[MichiganVote]

1. I'm all for it

[SharonAnn]

2. Debunked on Snopes. www.snopes.com

Many items that circulate on the Internet are not intended to amuse or entertain or inform us, but to provoke moral outrage against specific people or groups. Frequently, the first victim is the truth itself.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/taxes/pensions.asp

Claim: Members of Congress receive lavish pensions but are not required to contribute to the Social Security fund.

Status: False.

[BlueInRed]

7. I think they have a separate plan if they were elected in the mid-1980s

There was an old civil service plan that they would contribute to that exempted them from SS. You have to really read down that snopes quote to get to that part. So people who have been there for a really long time go under the civil service plan. And compared to SS it is generous, but far from "lavish".

My mom worked for the federal government (Corp of Engineers and GSA) for over 40 years, she's now retired, and her pension is completely separate from SS. She doesn't receive SS, she receives the civil service retirement plan pymt. While working, she was required to pay in a much higher percentage to this plan over 40 years than SS required others to pay on an identical salary, but in return, the plan is much more generous than SS. Congress used to have a similar retirement plan to what my mom is now on.

on 2nd edit: I defer to DistantWinds post below as I believe that is the most accurate statement.

[DistantWind88]

8. Since 1984, Congress has been required to pay into SS

They DO get a pension (very generous one at that), but they MUST pay into SS as well.

The old system your mom was under (CSRS) has been phased out for new federal workers (hired after 1983). They are now covered by FERS. Under CSRS, federal workers payed no SS, under FERS they do.

[BlueInRed]

9. you beat me to my edit

Your post wasn't there a moment ago, and I did the research too. Right you are. Thanks for posting that though. I knew it wasn't a simple yes, no thing, but I didn't have the facts at hand. :)

So, really they (Congress) aren't dependent upon SS since they have an additional plan??

[DistantWind88]

10. You're welcome --good research as well

I'm continually amazed at how many people believe that "Congress doesn't pay into SS" fiction.

[msongs]

3. thanks for the information, if valid. instead I suggest

congress persons be given social security ONLY for their service.
can we make them claim all the graft they get and the money they make as a result of their having been in congress (the gravy train arrives after they leave office) :-)

Msongs
www.msongs.com/political-shirts.htm

[DistantWind88]

6. Then EVERYONE should get nothing but SS

and NO one should get any otehr pension, right?

[Yupster]

4. The only large group of people currently

exempt from paying into social security are most public schoolteachers in 12 states.

They should be brought back into the system with everyone else.

[DistantWind88]

5. Back into the system?

Were they ever in it?

[dbt]

11. A few additions:

1. All Members of Congress must wear uniforms and live in barracks in Washingtoon DC.

2. They will all be paid the same salary, the median national income plus 12.5 per cent.

3. No gifts of any kind, of any value, may be accepted.

4. Upon leaving office, they may not accept employment as lobbyists for any organization whatsoever, for a period that includes thirty (30) years after their death(s).

Mind you, this is only a start. I am still working out the electric shock collars.

:freak:
dbt

[blondeatlast]

12. "The Citizen's Congressional Management Plan."

I like it, with 2 addenda:

Each must serve as a waitperson at Denny's or a burger-flipper at Jack In the Box for a period of two months.

Each must be forced to find quality, affordable child care for SOMEONE'S children, if not for their own.

[DistantWind88]

13. Why?