Heck seeks to turn down Hill pension

WASHINGTON - Rep. Joe Heck tried late last year to withdraw from the retirement system set up for Congress, only to be told that was impossible. A 2003 law made participation mandatory.

So the Nevada Republican on Friday introduced a bill that would permit lawmakers to decline a pension, a move that could save taxpayers some money while allowing Heck and like-minded members of Congress to make a point about public service.

"If you don't want to receive a taxpayer-funded pension, you shouldn't be forced into receiving it," Heck said. "I didn't come to Congress to collect a pension."

With the bill, Heck joins a small number of House members who are seeking reforms in the Federal Employees' Retirement System, whose pensions for lawmakers are considered more generous than those for most private employees or federal or state workers.

Heck, who has an individual retirement account and is expecting a military pension after serving more than 20 years in the Army Reserve, tried to pull out of the House system and claim a refund of the $188 per month that had been deducted from his paycheck. He was turned away.

Rep. Richard Nugent. R-Fla., a House freshman elected with tea party support, also has a bill allowing lawmakers to withdraw from the pension system.

While unaware of others, Heck said there likely are a few other House freshmen who feel the same.

Before 2003, House lawmakers could opt out from the pension system.

A few including Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, and Howard Coble, R-N.C., have done so, according to Pete Sepp, executive vice president of the National Taxpayers Union.

A House government reform subcommittee held a hearing on federal pensions in January. Sepp took that to suggest there might be sentiment to make changes.

Sepp said some House candidates have said during campaigns that they wouldn't take a pension but then arrived in Congress to discover they don't have a choice. They are automatically enrolled.

Of those who want to decline a pension, "Most say either the system is too generous or the current federal deficit situation calls for some personal sacrifice," Sepp said.

Contact Stephens Washington Bureau Chief Steve Tetreault at stetreault@stephensmedia.com or 202-783-1760. Follow him on Twitter @STetreaultDC.