This Is What THEY Make Each Year

[Me.]

Rank-and-File Members:
The current salary (2011) for rank-and-file members of the House and Senate is $174,000 per year.

Congress: Leadership Members' Salary (2011)
Leaders of the House and Senate are paid a higher salary than rank-and-file members.

Members of Congress receive retirement and health benefits under the same plans available to other federal employees. They become vested after five years of full participation.

http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/uscongress/a/congresspay.htm

The president pro tempore and party leaders receive $193,400

Governor Scott Walker receives $137,092

Senators elected or re-elected in the fall of 2008 will receive an annual salary of $49,943.

In addition to their salaries, senators outside Dane County may receive a per diem up to $88 to cover living expenses while they are in Dane County on state business. Members of the Madison delegation may receive a per diem up to $44 to cover expenses.

Each senator also receives $75 per month in "out-of-session" pay when the Legislature is in session for three days or less.

Over two years, each senator is allotted $66,008 to cover general office expenses, printing, postage and district mailings.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisconsin_Senate

Wisconsin Representatives elected or re-elected in the fall of 2008 will receive an annual salary of $49,943.

In addition to their salaries, Representatives outside Dane County may receive up to $88 a day each in living expenses while they are in Madison on state business. Members of the Dane County delegation are allowed up to $44 each in expenses.

Each Representative also receives $75 per month in "out-of-session" pay when the Legislature is in session for three days or less.

Over two years, each representative is allotted $12,000 to cover general office expenses, printing, postage and district mailings.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisconsin_State_Assembly

[fasttense]

1. And what about their retirement packages?

I bet they are pretty lavish.

[Me.]

2. Congress

“Members elected since 1984 are covered by the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS). Those elected prior to 1984 were covered by the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). In 1984 all members were given the option of remaining with CSRS or switching to FERS.

As it is for all other federal employees, congressional retirement is funded through taxes and the participants' contributions. Members of Congress under FERS contribute 1.3 percent of their salary into the FERS retirement plan and pay 6.2 percent of their salary in Social Security taxes.

Members of Congress are not eligible for a pension until they reach the age of 50, but only if they've completed 20 years of service. Members are eligible at any age after completing 25 years of service or after they reach the age of 62. Please also note that Members of Congress have to serve at least 5 years to even receive a pension.

The amount of a congressperson's pension depends on the years of service and the average of the highest 3 years of his or her salary. By law, the starting amount of a Member's retirement annuity may not exceed 80% of his or her final salary.” (which works out to over a$100,000 per year)

“As it is for all other federal employees, congressional retirement is funded through taxes and the participants' contributions. Members of Congress under FERS contribute 1.3 percent of their salary into the FERS retirement plan and pay 6.2 percent of their salary in Social Security taxes.”

http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/uscongress/a/congresspay.htm