Members of Congress become eligible for a pension after at least five years of service, and the benefit calculation depends on when they were first elected. Lawmakers first elected in 1984 or later are covered under FERS, and those who entered Congress before 2013 qualify for a higher accrual rate than members elected afterward.
Pelosi began her service in the House of Representatives in June 1987 after winning a special election to fill a vacancy. By the end of the 119th Congress on January 3, 2027, she will have served more than 39 years. Her pension is calculated based on her three highest-earning years of salary, which includes her time as Speaker of the House at $223,500 per year, compared to $174,000 for rank-and-file members. The estimated pension figure—which excludes any spousal set-aside that reduces the member pension so the surviving spouse can collect partial payments—reflects one of the most substantial benefits available to any current or former member of Congress in FERS.
Hellbound and Down 