Michigan Votes Forum

Introduced in the Senate on September 22, 2005, to eliminate statutory provisions specifying which persons serve on the board that oversees legislative pensions, and instead allow the board to create its own bylaws specifying who serves on the board, and to revise other details of the legislative retirement system. Also, to raise the cap on the maximum annual legislative retirement benefits from $90,000 or 100 percent of a legislator’s average compensation for the highest-paid three years of service, to $160,000, which is maximum allowed under federal law. However, the bill does not increase the actual benefits. It would also delete provisions allowing members to elect to have the retirement system pay a health insurance premium subsidy to another health insurance plan or a medical savings account

The vote was 38 in favor, 0 opposed and 0 not voting

(Senate Roll Call 734 at Senate Journal 89)

Click here to view bill details.

I think this is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard of.

The limit is high enough for know times are not good enough to even consider raising the limit,and there is no good reason given why you should have the authority to change your bylaws. Best Regards Frank A Rodocker

Instead of asking about modifying pension boards and contribution limits lets ask a different question. Why should legislators receive a state pension at all? Being a state rep is not supposed to be a career, and therefore, should not come with a massive pension for the four to eight years they could serve. Most people don't have pensions anyway. Why should politicians at the expense of Michigan taxpayers?

Why stop there. Maybe each new legislator should be issued a perpetual, unlimited ATM card for their personal use. Would that be enough??

Why not make their pension, pay and healthcare reflective "of the people" and limit these benefits to the average of Michigan citizens including those living in shelters or on the streets. Bev should be ashamed, but I bet she's not.

This is typical for Michigan goverment.I remeber right before Engler's end when he thought it safe serving his last term he raised everyones salaries.I hope the governor shuts them down on this garbage though.