# What the CLEAN Public Service Act Actually Does

This bill would eliminate the pension system for members of Congress going forward. Right now, members of Congress participate in federal retirement plans similar to other government employees—they contribute a portion of their salary, the government matches contributions, and after serving a certain number of years, they receive a pension. This bill would stop that entirely. Starting 90 days after the law passes, Congress members would no longer earn any new pension benefits, and the government would stop making retirement contributions on their behalf.

The key thing to understand is that this only affects future benefits. If a member of Congress has already earned pension credits before this law takes effect, they keep those. The bill doesn't take away pensions that current or former members have already earned. It just says that from the moment the law passes forward, no new retirement money gets set aside for them. Members would still be allowed to participate in the Thrift Savings Plan, which is basically a 401(k)-style retirement account that federal employees can use.

For newly elected members of Congress after this law passes, they would never be part of the pension system at all. They'd only have access to the Thrift Savings Plan if they choose to use it. The bill's supporters argue this saves taxpayer money and makes Congress more like a "citizen legislature" where members aren't motivated by long-term government benefits. Critics might counter that eliminating pensions could make it harder for working-class people to afford serving in Congress, since the job wouldn't include the long-term financial security it currently does.

CLEAN Public Service Act

Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]

Citizen Legislature Anti-Corruption Reform of Public Service Act or the CLEAN Public Service Act This bill excludes Members of Congress from further retirement coverage under the Civil Service Retirement System or the Federal Employees Retirement System following the enactment of the bill. It also prohibits further government contributions or deductions from a Member's basic pay for deposit in the Treasury to the credit of the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund. This exclusion does not affect a Member's eligibility to participate in the Thrift Savings Plan.