I thought about running for Congress.
But I decided against it. At 85, it wouldn’t do much for me. For one thing, it won’t increase my Social Security benefits. And the few years for building a pension just don’t cut it.
For me, the only major benefit of running for Congress is that I’d fit right in, agewise. In the Senate, only Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), 91, would be older. In the House, 13 members are in their 80s.
But you, dear reader, should give running careful thought. The younger you are, the better you could do financially.
And that’s what counts, right?
Better still, if you focus on how much you’ll benefit, you can forget about silly stuff like which party you represent or the people you represent.
The main event is what the job can do for you.
So let’s get on it. Here is a list of the big benefits.
Great Pay.
If your friends are all multimillionaires or billionaires, your pay won’t be impressive. But the starting paycheck is $174,000. More people make less than make more. Since the Social Security wage base maximum is currently $184,500 and covers about 96 percent of all workers, it’s a pretty good bet that your Congressional pay will be greater than 90 percent of all workers.
Nice start.
Generous Pension.
You’ll have to be in office five years to qualify, but after that you’ll enjoy membership in the generous FERS retirement plan. The plan pays a pension equal to the average of your three highest years of compensation times the number of years you’ve served, times 1.1 percent. In fairness, this is a lot less generous than it was in the past under CSRS rules.
But that shouldn’t obscure something more important. Most workers don’t have pensions. Period.
According to the Pension Rights Center, only 18 percent of all workers are in a pension plan. That figure is powerfully skewed by the 74 percent of all state and local workers who are in a pension plan. In the private sector, only 9 percent of workers have a pension plan.
Health Insurance.
Another goodie. As a member of Congress you and your family will be eligible for a Gold Affordable Care Act policy with 72 percent of the premium paid. In addition, you’ll be eligible for treatment by the Office of the Attending Physician in the capital. That’s close to having a concierge doc.
Beyond that, you’ll be eligible for a Federal Flexible Spending Account, Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance, and Federal Long Term Care Insurance.
Comparing this to ordinary folks is difficult. But about 8 percent of all Americans are uninsured, and another 21 percent are on Medicaid. Beyond that, a significant percentage of the people who have health insurance are afraid to use it due to costs. So they have health insurance but don’t use it.
But Wait, There’s More!
We’re not done yet! You’ll also have supplies of cash that you control that should help sustain your lifestyle as a member of Congress.
Other Goodies. The big envelope with cash is the “Members Representational Allowance,” which is to be used for “support personnel, office expenses, travel to district and mail.” That has run a tad under $2 million a year. Senators get more.
No, this does not arrive in a big envelope stuffed with $20 bills. But there must be something in that $2 million to smooth out your life a bit.
Let’s not forget little things such as the “House Restaurant” or, if you rise, the “Senate Dining Room.” While neither is free, the menus are good and the prices are reasonable. The current menu at the Members Dining Room, for instance, offers the Capital Breakfast of two eggs, sausage or bacon, fingerling potato hash, toast and fruit for $11.20. The Senate Dining Room offers a Classic Breakfast for $15.00. At the Willard Hotel that breakfast goes for $25. At the Hay-Adams, it is $24. Both are classic Washington power spots with luxury accommodations.
Little things make a difference.
Limitations. Congress has put a good deal in writing to install enforceable ethics in our legislative branch. Outside earned income, for instance, is limited to 15 percent of annual base pay. It was set at $33,285 in 2025. Honoraria of any kind have been forbidden since 1991.
But don’t let this dim your ambitions!
Even if you don’t have the imagination to create your own opportunities, you should never forget that, once elected, you are a member of the most adept group of word-weasels in America. Getting the job is just the beginning. You’ll have a huge support group!
Timid? Then take a page from the Clarence Thomas playbook. Limited by his now $306,600 income as a Supreme Court justice, he accepted benefits from a very wealthy friend. If you are truly brave, the outer limits of behavior in office are being expanded day after day across the entire executive branch.
Run now! Your future is limitless.
Related columns:
Scott Burns, “Is It Time To Eat The Rich?,” 11/14/2010: https://scottburns.com/is-it-time-to-eat-the-rich/
Sources and References:
Congressional Salaries and Allowances: In Brief: https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/RL30064
National Taxpayers Union Foundation: Congress Pay & Perks: https://www.ntu.org/foundation/tax-page/congress-pay-perks
Pension Rights Center: https://pensionrights.org/resource/how-many-american-workers-participate-in-workplace-retirement-plans/
KFF figures on health insurance coverage: https://www.kff.org/uninsured/health-policy-101-the-uninsured-population-and-health-coverage/?entry=table-of-contents-what-is-the-landscape-of-health-care-coverage-in-the-united-states
The House Restaurant Menu: https://www.house.gov/sites/default/files/2024-12/J.17%20MDR%20Sample%20Menus.pdf
The Senate Dining Room Menu: https://racafes.compass-usa.com/USSenate/SDR%20Menus/SDR.pdf
The Willard Cafe Duparc Menu: https://cafeduparc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Cafe-du-Parc-Breakfast.pdf
The Hay Adams Breakfast Menu: https://www.hayadams.com/dining/the-lafayette/breakfast-menu/
Forbes list of Clarence Thomas conflicts: https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2024/09/04/clarence-thomas-here-are-all-the-ethics-scandals-involving-the-supreme-court-justice-amid-new-ginni-thomas-report/
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(c) Scott Burns, 2026