Bill and Hillary pensions and house payment-Fiction!

Bill and Hillary Pensions and House Payment-Fiction!

Summary of the eRumor
The message alleges that even if Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton is not reelected, she'll get her full salary as a pension. If she dies, it goes to Bill Clinton. If Bill Clinton dies, his full presidential pension goes to Hillary. And, they are having the government pay their house payment in New York.

The Truth
This "don't re-elect Hillary" message is composed of a string of false stories.

Although the compensation and retirement benefits of members of Congress are controversial, it is not true that Senator Clinton would leave office with her full congressional salary. According to the National Taxpayers Union, the pension for members of Congress varies depending on tenure in office, age of retirement, and the average salary when they left. It can also take other federal service into account. No one, however, leaves office with a pension that equals full congressional salary and especially not after just one term.

As former president, Bill Clinton does receive a pension, but it is reduced upon his death.

The story about the Clintons financing their house payment by charging for the Secret Service is not true. CLICK HERE for details on that.

Updated 11/4/01

A real example of the eRumor as it has appeared on the Internet:

'04 Elections are just around the corner:

Hillary Rodham Clinton, as a New York State Senator, now comes under this fancy "Congressional Retirement and Staffing Plan," which means that even if she never gets reelected, she STILL receives her Congressional salary until she dies.

If Bill outlives her, he then inherits HER salary until HE dies. He is already getting his Presidential salary until he dies. If Hillary outlives Bill, she also gets HIS salary until she dies. Guess who pays for that?

WE DO!

It's common knowledge that in order for her to establish NY residency,they purchased a million dollar-plus house in upscale Chappaqua, New York.

Makes sense. They are entitled to Secret Service protection for life.

Still makes sense.

Here is where it becomes interesting. Their mortgage payments hover around $10,000 per month. BUT, an extra residence HAD to be built within the acreage to house the Secret Service agents. The Clinton's charge the Federal government $10,000 monthly rent for the use of that extra residence, which is just about equal to their mortgage payment. This means that we, the taxpayers, are paying the Clinton's salary, mortgage, transportation, safety and security, as well as the salaries for their 12 man staff -- and, this is all perfectly legal!

When she runs for President, will you vote for her?

How many people can YOU send this to?