10/09/2026
Term limits would likely make congressional pensions cost taxpayers less. A pension builds about 1% of salary per year served, so the biggest checks come from the longest careers. Term limits cap the years.
A senator limited to 12 years would collect roughly $21,000 a year, less than half today's retired Member average ($45,276). USTL President Philip Blumel explains why the roughly $38 million a year now paid to retired Members would drop, on the latest No Uncertain Terms podcast (link in the comments).
Yes there would likely be more small pensions, but likely a smaller bill for Americans overall.