Congressional Pension Accountability Act
Sponsored By: Representative Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would allow ethics findings to strip or reduce congressional retirement benefits by deeming prior Member service noncreditable for annuity eligibility. It targets both the Civil Service Retirement System and the Federal Employees Retirement System and sets rules for refunds, forfeitures, records, pardons, and regulations.
Show full summary
- Members of Congress found expelled or who resign after an ethics subcommittee adopts a Statement of Alleged Violation by majority would lose credit for prior congressional service when calculating CSRS or FERS annuities.
- If service becomes noncreditable the lump-sum credit tied to that service would be paid back to the individual or appropriate beneficiary, and under FERS government Thrift Savings Plan contributions and earnings for that period would be forfeited.
- House and Senate ethics committees must preserve investigation records, presidential pardons or commutations would not restore an annuity, and the Office of Personnel Management would issue regulations and rules for related payments.
The bill adds new CSRS section 8333a and new FERS section 8410a and makes conforming amendments. Its rules apply to misconduct committed after the law takes effect.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
CSRS annuity loss for expelled Members
If enacted, this bill would treat all prior Member service under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) as noncreditable if a Member of Congress is expelled. It would also treat that service as noncreditable if a Member resigns after an ethics investigative subcommittee adopts, by majority vote, a Statement of Alleged Violation finding substantial reason to believe a violation occurred. If service becomes noncreditable, the portion of the lump-sum credit due to that service, minus any prior refunds or annuity payments, would be payable on application to the person or their survivors. The bill would not require repayment of annuity amounts already properly paid before expulsion. Ethics committees would have to preserve investigation records, a presidential pardon would not restore a forfeited annuity, and the Office of Personnel Management would write rules. The rules would apply only to expulsions or Statements of Alleged Violation based on acts after the bill's enactment.
FERS and TSP forfeiture for Members
If enacted, this bill would treat all prior Member service under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) as noncreditable if a Member of Congress is expelled. It would also make service noncreditable if a Member resigns after an ethics investigative subcommittee adopts, by majority vote, a Statement of Alleged Violation finding substantial reason to believe a violation occurred. If service becomes noncreditable, the lump-sum credit for that service, minus prior refunds or annuity payments, would be payable on application to the person or their survivors. Government contributions and any earnings made to the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) for that noncreditable Member service would be forfeited. The bill would not require repayment of annuity amounts properly paid before expulsion. Ethics committees would have to preserve records, a presidential pardon would not restore benefits, and OPM would issue rules (including rules to reduce or eliminate supplemental payments). The bill would also update related statutory cross-references and define Member service to include the period from the start of the elected term to taking office. These rules would apply only to misconduct occurring after the bill's enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3]
IA • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1]
NH • D
Sponsored 9/3/2026
Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40]
CA • R
Sponsored 9/3/2026
Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2]
MN • D
Sponsored 9/3/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov