QUITE LIKELY: Will Your Congressman Retire Richer Than You? “Not only do congressional representatives and senators earn the guarantee of a monthly pension check — a benefit that has become increasingly rare for most U.S. workers — they also receive Social Security payments and can opt to pay into the federal Thrift Savings Plan, a 401(k) style-plan with fees that are far lower than most retirement plans. As a result, longtime members of Congress can easily retire with six-figure annual incomes for life.”