While pensions for state retirees have remained stagnant for over 20 years, State Representatives and State Senators have increased their pension benefits three times over the same period. As a result, when they retire from public office, they can expect to receive much larger annuity checks from our ERS pension fund.
Elected Class vs. Employee Class
Decades ago, lawmakers created the elected class category of ERS membership that includes only Legislators and other elected officials. This exclusive class has special privileges. Unlike state employees, their pension benefit is not based on salary, but rather on the annual base salary of a state district judge. Currently, that salary is $140,000. Elected officials don’t have to meet the rule of 80 to be eligible for their pension. They are eligible for full pension benefits when they reach either the age of 60 with eight years of service or the age of 50 with 12 years of service. During this same 20+ years our pensions have remained stagnant, benefits for future retirees have been watered down. In 2009 and 2013, legislators approved cuts in benefits for future retirees in the Employee Class that would not apply to future retirees of the Elected Class. Importantly, while the contribution rate for members of the Elected Class to the ERS is the same as members of the Employee Class – 9.5% of salary – State Reps. and State Senators are paid $7,200 per year. Legislators have regularly increased their own per diem though, which now ranks as one of the highest in the country at $221/day while in Session.