A notable number of congressional lawmakers, including Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia) and Nancy Pelosi (D-California), have announced they will not seek re-election, bringing attention to the pension benefits they will receive. These benefits are projected to cost taxpayers around $38 million per year.

Under federal law, members of Congress become eligible for annual pension benefits after completing five full years of service. Greene, who began her term on January 3, 2021, plans to leave office on January 5, 2026, strategically aligning her departure to meet this eligibility requirement. According to Demian Brady, vice president of research for the National Taxpayer Union Foundation, Greene's pension is estimated to be approximately $8,717 per year, which is below the average for congressional pensions. Over her lifetime, her total pension payouts could exceed $265,000.

In contrast, Pelosi, who has served nearly 40 years in Congress, is expected to receive a significantly higher pension of around $107,860 per year upon her retirement in 2027. This amount ranks among the most substantial for any current or former member of Congress under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).

Data from the Congressional Research Service indicates that retirement benefits for former members of Congress totaled over $38 million in 2022, with the average annual annuity under FERS being $45,276. A separate pension plan, the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), provided an average of $84,504 to its enrollees in the same year.

Representative Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky), who advocates for the elimination of congressional pensions, has stated that while he does not blame Greene for accepting the benefits, he intends to reintroduce legislation to end the eligibility of House lawmakers in the FERS program. He supports a transition towards 401(k)-type plans for congressional retirement savings, arguing that this would lessen reliance on taxpayer-funded pensions.

Former Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who previously pledged not to accept his pension benefits, has also called for reform of the congressional pension system, emphasizing the necessity for accountability in federal spending. He noted that current lawmakers often resist changes that would affect their benefits.

Brady pointed out that career politicians present a significant obstacle to pension reform, as they are likely to seek to retain their benefits after years in public office. Greene's retirement has inadvertently raised awareness about the congressional pension system, although it remains uncertain whether this will lead to meaningful reform.