Spicer: Federal Employee Benefits "Unsustainable"

[evilanne]

It does apply to them and some would still be under CSRS unless they converted. I agree on term limits, some have been there way too long!
https://www.brainscape.com/blog/2016/08 ... -congress/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_m ... of_service (highlighted in gold/orange color still in office)

[Aitrus]

I agree with term limits, however, they should not be overly restrictive. Some people say two terms, and that ends up being 4 years for Congressmen and 12 years for Senators.

I would say that 9 terms for Congressmen (18 years) and 3 for Senators (also 18 years) would be about right. Go on too long and the person becomes entrenched, but if his/her constituents like what he/she is doing in Congress then the people deserve to have the person there for a while. And you do have to have things like legacy knowledge as well.

But putting a limit on it prevents one group of people from having a power player there controlling things for too long. Things such as who chairs what committees is often based on longevity, etc. As an example, New York's 13th District (Bronx and New York counties) has had Charlie Rangel in his seat since 1971, so that particular group of people has more pull in Congress than they should. John Conyers, Michigan's 13th District (a huge chunk of the Detroit metro area) has had his seat since 1965.

I would also argue that once you've served your limit as a Congressman or Senator that you're barred from running for the other side. A Senator can't become a Congressman, for example, just so he can have a total of 36 years in Congress. 18 years should be enough time for you to make your mark, then get out of the way for somebody else.

[cb3]

Agreed, if you're vested you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

And for those of us who aren't vested?

Well, I think they would have to pay us back block 19 on our LES at a minimum and then implement the new program if there is one. Would also have to pay back the military deposit for T10 time if you had bought it back and were deemed to not be vested. Not sure if they would do any sort of retroactive TSP match based on past contributions over the 5% mark. It will definitely be interesting to see how it plays out. I am currently sitting at 4 years myself.