Originally Posted by
Joseph Michalski
Jerry, I try not to come off as too surly.
Federal health benefits are the same packages offered to all employees Members of Congress included.
Retirement benefits are good, but not perversely so.
Other benefits that people seem fond of quoting (like that they don't pay into Social Security, or the "capitol barber" or other such items) are largely myth or have been eliminated.
Joe, Do regular Federal employees get benefits or perks such as these described in this article?
Amid Neglect Elsewhere, Congress Members Given VIP Treatment At Walter Reed
I spent 22 years in the military and more than 15 with another federal agency where I was covered under the FEHB program, and neither myself or anyone else in that agency were ever authorized treatment ant Federal or Military Hospitals such as Walter Reed, especially not in the VIP wing. There are many programs with different levels of treatment and benefits under the FEHB program, the services and benefits under the Congressional are far superior to those offered to any other Federal Employee and that plan is only available to Members of Congress.
A Federal Employee is not eligible until for retirement until age 55, Congress 50, the employee pays a hefty penalty for retiring at 55 instead of 62, members of Congress do not face the same penalty when retiring at 50.
Most FEHB plans require co-payments for drugs, office visits, hospitalization, etc., as of just a few years ago, members of congress had no co-pays, I don't believe that has changed.
Saying that members of Congress receive only the same benefits as other Federal Employees is inaccurate at best, the only real similarity is that the same agency administers the benefits, and retirement under FERS also has different rules for members of Congress.
There have been years where congress has refused to give any raise, other than cost of living, to the military, while giving themselves up to a 28% raise.
There are two things the Republicans and Democrats always agree on, Congress always deserves a raise and there should never be a viable third political party.