Base Salary and Annual Compensation
As of the most recent public data, the base salary for rank-and-file members of the U.S. House and Senate is $174,000 per year. The Speaker of the House earns $223,500, and the President pro tempore of the Senate and the majority and minority leaders in both chambers receive $193,400. These figures are set by the Ethics Reform Act of 1989 and adjusted only when Congress votes to accept a recommended pay increase from the Citizens' Commission on Public Service and Compensation. In 2009, Congress declined the recommended increase, and since then pay has remained at the prior level, making the current base salary a fixed figure rather than an annual moving target. The base pay is subject to federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare withholding like other federal employees, and it is paid through the legislative branch appropriation rather than through the executive budget. For a full breakdown of the current pay rates, see the official House Administrative Office page on congressional pay.
Beyond the base salary, members of congress receive a generous suite of benefits that significantly increase the total value of their compensation package. These include access to the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program, generous retirement and pension plans, and a substantial annual allowance for office expenses and staff. The combination of salary and benefits places congressional compensation well above the median U.S. household income, and it is structured to attract experienced professionals while remaining subject to public transparency requirements. Unlike many private-sector roles, the total compensation includes both a defined-benefit pension and a defined-contribution Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), giving members a dual retirement pathway that is rare outside the federal workforce. The Office of Personnel Management publishes detailed data on federal pay and benefits that can be used to benchmark congressional compensation against other government roles.
Retirement and Pension Benefits
Members of congress are eligible for two distinct retirement systems depending on when they were first elected. Those who began their service before 2013 generally participate in the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), which provides a defined benefit based on years of service and the highest three years of salary. Members who started after 2013 are enrolled in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), which combines a smaller defined benefit with Social Security coverage and the TSP, a defined-contribution plan similar to a 401(k). Under FERS, the government contributes 1 percent of basic pay to the TSP automatically, and members can make additional contributions up to IRS limits. A member who serves 20 years can retire with a pension equal to a percentage of their final salary, and after 30 years the benefit is even higher, with the exact formula detailed in the Congressional Research Service report on congressional retirement.
The pension eligibility rules are tied to age and years of service, with members able to retire at age 50 with 20 years of service or at age 62 with five years of service. This means a member who serves two full six-year Senate terms can begin drawing a pension at age 62, and a member who serves a decade in the House can retire at age 50 if they meet the service threshold. The pension is calculated as 1.5 percent of high-3 salary for each year of service under FERS, and a higher multiplier applies under CSRS for older members. Unlike many state legislators, members of congress do not receive a cost-of-living adjustment for their pension unless Congress specifically authorizes one, and the pension is subject to federal income tax but not to the Social Security earnings test once the member reaches full retirement age. The Social Security Administration's website provides the current full retirement age and benefit calculation rules that apply to congressional pensions.
Healthcare and Other Benefits
Members of congress participate in the FEHB program, which offers access to dozens of health insurance plans with the government paying a large share of the premiums.