Do members of Congress have to pay into Social Security?
This has become a common question since a chain email was sent around spreading a rumor that Congress does not have to worry about what happens to Social Security because the members are not required to pay into it. This article will discuss if that statement is true, or like too many things, just a rumor floating around online.
The truth is that Members of Congress do have to pay into Social Security just like everyone else. This has been in effect since 1984 when Congress Members began paying into, and receiving Social Security benefits just like everyone else. In January 1984, even the President and Vice president were included in being forced to pay into Social Security like everyone else. This also included Federal judges and other people in politics. Since January, all of these parties have been paying into Social Security just like everyone else has, regardless of how long they have been in office. Prior to 1984 most of the Federal government employees and officials participated in the Civil Service Retirement System, or CSRS which was established in 1920, about 15 years before the establishment of the Social Security System. Because of this outdated system between 1920 and 1948 Congress Members were not paying into the later established Social Security system.
Now that it has been clarifies that Members of Congress do, in fact, pay into the Social Security system it is very interesting to think about how this knowledge affects their decision on the controversial topic of the Social Security System.
