Post Scripts: Benefits of Congressmen

I regret to inform you that my column of February 18, which dealt with the pay and benefits of Congressmen, was not correct. Actually it was not strictly my column, the information in it coming from an E-mail sent to me by Bob McCelland , a longtime friend and former Gallatin resident. This is not to shift blame to him – the blame is mine for not checking the facts and figures in that column. It was my responsibility to check for authenticity and I usually do. This time a boner slipped by.

I first received a phone call from Rep. Sam Graves’ office, then a few days later, a letter relative to that column. I don’t have the space to detail everything in the letter but here are the main clarifications: Congressman Graves and all other Congressmen, do pay into Social Security. This year Graves will pay around $9,500 into his Social Security account – about 6.2 % of his salary. He will eventually draw Social Security benefits like all other eligible Americans.

When congressmen retire they cannot receive a pension more than 80% of his or her highest three-year average salary. Thus if Graves served for 25 years, he would still receive a pension equivalent to 39% of his final average three years salary.

To clarify retirement pay, Graves supplied the following. He, like so many other employees of government and private companies, have a choice to participate in a supplemental retirement plan similar to many private pension plans. Graves would not receive a pension for serving only one term in Congress. A member must serve at least five years to qualify for benefits. After five years of service, Graves’ pension would amount to a monthly sum of $1,140.21. He contributes 1.3% of his salary to the Federal retirement system which pays for his pension.

I think it important to note Graves has consistently voted against any salary increase for Congressmen which is a vote to essentially cut his own retirement benefits (since their retirement benefits are based on salary) in addition to voting against a pay raise. He also points out that all the figures he supplied are based on assumption of a 4% salary increase per year.

Whew! Boy O’ boy, I, have had to eat some crow over one lousy column I didn’t even originate. I certainly apologize to my readers, to Editor Darryl and to Congressman Graves. This is one of the few times in nearly 67 years of column writing I’ve been called to task for erroneous material. I’ve taken plenty of gaff over the years for my "personal opinions" on various matters, including government policy and personnel, etc. That I can accept.

Never before have I been so embarrassed over misinformation under my name. As I near my 86th birthday I am forced to concede that in the future I must take the time to carefully check the content of all E-mails that appear on our computer screen. Everything will be studied in detail for accuracy and common sense.