Fact Check: Members of Congress Do NOT Receive Full-Pay Retirement After Serving One Term

Do members of Congress receive a full-pay retirement after serving one term? No, that's not true. Regardless of length of service, federal law limits the starting payout to a member of Congress to no more than 80% of his or her final salary. U.S. senators, elected to six-year terms, and representatives, with two-year terms, must serve at least five years before becoming eligible for a federal pension.