By Mike De Souza, Canwest News ServiceSeptember 13, 2009 10:16 AM
OTTAWA -- One out of five MPs in the House of Commons can boost their chances of receiving a lucrative pension by preventing a fall election and ensuring the current Parliament survives at least until July 2010, reveals a survey by Canwest News Service.The survey examined the number of MPs who were first elected in June 2004 and are less than a year away from having the six years of service required to qualify for a government pension that can kick in at age 55.
It found that 74 MPs with several years of experience could find themselves without a pension, if they fail to hold onto their seats, and in the same boat as those elected for the first time in the 2008 election.But if there is no election before next summer, 36 Conservatives, 16 Bloc Quebecois MPs, 14 Liberals and eight New Democrats can qualify for a pension that would give them at least $25,000 a year based on the minimum MP salary that now stands at $157,731 per year. MPs who hold special positions in their caucus, on parliamentary committees or in cabinet, would have higher salaries and as a result would be eligible for larger pensions upon retirement.
The list of MPs who are less than a year short of qualifying for their pension:
Bloc Quebecois: 16 MPs or 33 per cent of caucus
Conservatives: 36 MPs or 25 per cent of caucus
Liberals: 14 MPs or 18 per cent of caucus
NDP: Eight MPs or 22 per cent of caucus
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Reposting of 09/13/09 Article.
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