Why does any unappropriated money from the national budget go into the Congress retirement fund instead of paying down the national debt?

Sounds bogus to me. Source?

No way can’t be my blood pressure is going up.

@srtlhill “Must… control… fist… of… death…”

Sounds like a recent episode of The Office.
Managers who come in under budget and return the funds get 10% of the returned funds as a bonus.

Only here it is 100%.

Probably better than $10 million dollar bridges to service an island of 10 people, but certainly not a very sound policy considering the economy.

I have researched this and have point blank asked our representatives about it. To date I have not been able to find anything substantiating or denying. Congressional inquiries were absolutely ignored. I would love if someone could find evidence either proving or disproving this. It is a tidbit that I read a long time ago (way pre internet) and has bugged me ever since. Thought throwing it out here may help. Thanks

From my (several years ago) study of government, this is not the case. Money must be specifically appropriated to the congressional retirement fund, just like any other program. That fund is substantial, but I would be very surprised if it was the default destination of unused funds.

Because they know that they can’t count on social security. They have insider info.

Even if Social Security was solvent and well-funded, they would still have a better deal.

Can anyone tell me where unappropriated funds go?

First, I’m questioning the idea that there are millions of dollars that are budgeted but not taken by any agency. It’s not like there are millions of checks just blowing around Washington that agencies don’t pick up. I’d like to see a source detailing these unclaimed funds.

Second, there is not a separate fund for Congresscritters to use for retirement. Are you confusing it with the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), which provides retirement benefits to all Federal workers?