Emails are constantly circulating with information about politics and the economy that may or may not be true. Unfortunately, the writers of the emails are usually skilled enough to include just enough true information to make the rest seem true.
In 1946 congress was included in The Civil Service Retirement Program. Pensions for members of congress elected after the start of 1984 are covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System, which is essentially the same plan, only supplemented by social security. Through this program the amount of pension someone in congress receives is determined by how long they serve in office, and their age. They do not receive their salary for the rest of their life starting one term into their service. They actually have to serve for at least five years in order to receive that pension plan.
Congressmen are entitled to pension after serving five years of service with the amount they receive increasing with the time they spend in office. Members of congress will receive reduced or deferred pension if they request it before the age of 62. Not all congressmen will get this type of retirement plan at all. There are some who will decline the coverage. Members of congress who decline the FERS program will only receive social security, unless they remain covered by the former CSRP plan.
There is also a program called The Thrift Savings Plan, that allows federal workers to invest money into their retirement funds. If congressmen take part in certain crimes, like accepting bribes, or committing treason, their FERS plan will be terminated and their pension will no longer be covered.
While the differences between what people believe and what the plan actually includes are small, there are differences. These differences are important, and the distinctions can remind those of us who do not serve in congress that we can not believe everything we read.