The Facts
Both U.S. Senators from Michigan – Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow – receive state pension benefits while also collecting a U.S. Senate paycheck – both are taxpayer funded.
While in Washington D.C., Sen. Gary Peters receives about $50,000 a year from his Michigan taxpayer funded state pension, plus 4% cost of living increase for his 8 years of state service in the 1990s. Sen. Debbie Stabenow also collects over $78,000 a year from hers. This is in addition to their $174,000 annual salary as a U.S. Senator.
Compare that to a Michigan teacher who worked in the public school system for 30 years and then retires; earning that statewide average salary would provide them with an annual pension of $36,156 a year (see page 104).
That’s just not fair. Now’s the time to review these outdated policies.