The Social Security program is a cornerstone of the U.S. safety net, providing financial assistance through retirement income, disability benefits, and survivor benefits. It’s a system that operates on the principle of “do your part now and get benefits later”. But when it comes to members of Congress, there’s a common myth that they don’t pay into Social Security taxes. In reality, members of Congress do contribute to the program, and they are eligible to receive benefits once they retire.
Let’s explore how this myth came about, the historical context, and how it works today.
A Myth Based on History
For a long time, members of Congress were not required to pay into Social Security. This was because, until 1984, federal employees—including Congress members—were part of a different pension system called the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). The problem was that paying into both systems would have resulted in a double-dip for these employees, meaning they would have contributed to both Social Security and CSRS, which wasn’t ideal.
However, when Congress passed legislation in 1983 to update the Social Security program, it brought all federal employees, including members of Congress, into the Social Security system for the first time. Since then, all members of Congress, no matter when they were first elected, have been required to pay into Social Security.
The Transition from CSRS to Social Security
Before 1984, members of Congress were exempt from Social Security taxes. However, after the reform, the Social Security Administration (SSA) clarified that all members of Congress have been paying into Social Security since January 1984. This means that any current members of Congress, regardless of their years in office, have been contributing to Social Security.
Interestingly, nine members of Congress who were in office before 1984 had the option to remain under the Civil Service Retirement System or switch to Social Security. As of 2025, these nine members are still under the original system, but they are in the minority. Most Congress members opted into the Social Security system and are now part of it.
Congress Members’ Earnings and Social Security
Members of Congress earn a fixed salary of $174,000 per year as of 2009. This salary is significantly higher than the Social Security tax cap, which means that only part of their income was subjected to Social Security taxes. For example, in 2024, FICA taxes (Social Security and Medicare taxes) only apply to the first $160,200 of earnings. However, starting in 2025, the Social Security cap will rise above that salary level, meaning that all of a Congress member’s salary will be subject to Social Security taxes.
This means that members of Congress, like all other workers, contribute 7.65% of their income to FICA taxes, which are split between Social Security and Medicare, and their earnings contribute toward their Social Security benefits.
Social Security and Retirement Benefits for Congress Members
As of now, members of Congress contribute to Social Security like any other worker, and they’ll receive benefits based on the same rules. Congress members who have served long enough will be eligible for Social Security retirement benefits once they reach full retirement age.
If a Congress member spends 30 years earning $174,000 per year, they would be entitled to a monthly benefit of around $4,000. This is a bit below the average monthly Social Security benefit, but it is still a significant amount.
The Role of Social Security
It’s important to remember that Social Security was never meant to be a comprehensive income replacement tool. For most people, Social Security is a supplemental income meant to help cover basic living expenses after retirement. The more someone earns throughout their life, the lower their replacement rate from Social Security will be. On average, Social Security replaces about 40% of a person’s pre-retirement income. However, for those with low lifetime earnings, the replacement rate can be as high as 78.9%.
Given that members of Congress earn much more than the average worker, their Social Security replacement rate would be on the lower end. This emphasizes the importance of personal savings and other retirement accounts, such as 401(k)s or IRAs, to ensure that individuals—whether members of Congress or regular citizens—can maintain their lifestyle in retirement.
Members of Congress Do Pay Into Social Security
To clear up the myth: members of Congress do pay into Social Security just like everyone else. This change happened in 1984, and since then, all members of Congress have been contributing to the program. The salary cap issue, where only part of their income was taxed, will also change in 2025, meaning all of their income will be subject to Social Security taxes moving forward.
Social Security provides vital assistance, but it’s important to remember that for those earning more, it should not be relied on as the sole source of retirement income. Saving for retirement through personal accounts remains essential for everyone, including those in Congress.
