Congressional Retirement Benefits

Open Email to Congress:

Dear Representatives and Senators,
As you know, the US is roughly $17 trillion in debt, and we annually spend more than income, so that the debt increases. It is also apparent to most people, and I am sure to you, that this cannot continue indefinitely. Previous attempts to make a change have been futile, as indicated by the latest budget still being considerably out of balance.
The situation has resulted from many years of overspending by Congress, with the approval and help of several Presidents.
I believe that Congressional overspending is based primarily on Congress members being motivated by a desire to remain in office and continue to receive the benefits of that office. That motivation is reflected in "pork" spending to obtain reelection votes from local constituents. It is likely also reflected in receiving significant donations for campaign funding from special interest groups.
There has been talk over the years concerning term limits for Congress, which would hopefully eliminate overspending based on the incentive for reelection. Establishment of term limits would require a Congressiona l bill satisfactory to members of both the House and the Senate. However, that is an unrealistic, approach since Congressional members have motivation to continue with present unlimited terms. Limited terms would be disadvantageous to the members, and it could hardly be expected that they would be in favor of it.
Another tack has been mentioned to establish congressional term limits, and that is an amendment to the Constitution. While this is theoretically possible, it is likely unworkable, because of its complexity including public pressure from generally disinterested voters..
I now I suggest a third alternative, which might be a motivating factor for congressional members to self-control their terms of office. I suggest that Congress establish a generous pension program for its members. This might be a matter of a retirement pension starting in any age, after four years of service and amounting to 110% of the highest annual working salary. The annual pension would include upward cost-of-living adjustments and would continue through life. If a spouse is involved, the spouse would then receive an annual payment of 80% of the original Congressional members pension until death. The pension would also be tax-free.
The objective of the program would be to encourage the retirement of 90+ % of Congressional members after four years of service. If the above pension benefit would appear to be insufficient based upon a poll of Congressional members, the amount of the proposed pension should be increased incrementally by 10 percentage points, until the package is attractive to 90+ percent of the members.
When the pension package has been approved by a Congressiona l bill from both the House and Senate, it is likely that the President will sign it.
One may speculate that the proposed pension program would be unpopular with the voting public, but that is essentially of no significance. Most of the voting public will be unconcerned and those that may be concerned can do essentially nothing to stop it. It is a program that lies completely in the hands of Congress and the President to institute.