Keep Factually independent
Whether you agree or disagree with our analysis, these conversations matter for democracy. We don't take money from political groups - even a $5 donation helps us keep it that way.
How is the FERS pension formula applied specifically to U.S. Representatives?
Executive summary
Members of the House of Representatives who are covered by FERS receive the same basic annuity formula as most other FERS employees: pension = high‑3 average pay × accrual rate × years of service (for example, about 44% of high‑3 after 30 years under the applicable accruals) [1] [2]. Some Representatives who began service before coverage changes may instead be under CSRS or a mix of CSRS and FERS rules; switching and special eligibility rules for Members are discussed in Library of Congress/CRS materials [3].
1. How the FERS formula actually works for a Representative
Under current law the FERS basic annuity is computed by multiplying a Representative’s “high‑3” average salary (the average of the highest three consecutive years of basic pay) by the statutory accrual (pension) multiplier and by years of creditable service — exactly the same base formula that applies to most civilian FERS employees [1] [4]. The Government Accountability Office reported that, under FERS, Members of Congress use the same benefit formulas as other FERS-covered groups and, as an illustration, would receive roughly 44% of their high‑3 pay after 30 years of service under the applicable accruals [2].
2. Which accrual rates apply and how they affect totals
Congressional sources and OPM summaries describe the annuity as “salary base × accrual rate × years of service.” FERS accrual rates are lower than the older CSRS rates because FERS employees also earn Social Security benefits; that structural difference is why the same formula yields smaller direct FERS annuities than CSRS would for similar service [1]. GAO noted that under FERS the grouped benefit formulas for Members and certain occupations are the same, and used examples to show how the percentage of high‑3 grows with years served [2].
3. Special member rules, mixes of CSRS and FERS, and eligibility
All Members do not uniformly sit under FERS: some Members who were in office prior to changes in coverage could remain in CSRS or have mixed CSRS/FERS computations. CRS analysis explains that Members who switched plans may have part of their annuity computed under CSRS and part under FERS, and that FERS rules can govern eligibility for those who converted [3]. The CRS material specifically uses member examples to show combined treatments and how high‑3 pay is applied across formulas [3].
4. Age, service thresholds, and the annuity supplement
FERS retirement eligibility and reduction/augmentation rules (minimum retirement age, “MRA,” age reductions, and the FERS annuity supplement for those retiring before Social Security eligibility) apply to Members just as they do for other FERS participants; OPM and CRS explain those age and service requirements and the mechanics of reductions if an annuity start date is postponed [1] [5]. Recent policy debates and bills have targeted the FERS annuity supplement (proposals to eliminate it for new retirees after certain dates), which would affect pre‑62 income replacement; reporting indicates those proposals are active in some legislative packages [6].
5. Calculating an illustrative Representative pension — what reporters and guides use
Public explainers and pension-advisor guides restate the FERS “high‑3 × accrual × years” formula and then apply it to members’ high‑3 salaries and credited years to produce estimates [7]. Congressional research and GAO documents supply the authoritative legal framing and examples that journalists and calculators use to show what a long‑service Representative’s annuity might look like [3] [2].
6. Ongoing proposals and how they could change calculations for Representatives
Legislative proposals discussed in committee prints and news coverage have at times sought to change the base years for the high‑X calculation (e.g., shifting from high‑3 to high‑5) or to alter contributions and supplements; some drafts that would have used a “high‑5” were reported in committee actions, though later versions removed that change [8] [6]. Any enacted change to the high‑3 rule, accrual rates, employee contributions, or the supplement would change how a Representative’s FERS annuity is computed [4] [6].
Limitations and what’s not in the provided sources
Available sources do not provide a current, line‑by‑line worked example for a specific Representative’s exact annuity for 2025 pay rates, nor do they give up‑to‑the‑minute enacted law changes after the committee materials cited here; CRS, GAO and OPM summaries supply the legal formula and illustrative examples but practical totals require the member’s exact high‑3 pay, precise credited years, and knowledge of any post‑enactment pension reforms [3] [2] [1].