Wealthy Politician Receives Government Pension Amid Calls for Reform
Republican Mike Rogers, with a reported net worth of $14.6 million, has been drawing a government pension despite his substantial personal wealth. This information was revealed through financial disclosures.
Rogers has a lengthy career in public service. He started as a Michigan state legislator and later served in Congress. After retiring to Florida in 2015, Rogers engaged in corporate board roles. He made a bid for the U.S. Senate in Michigan in 2024, which was unsuccessful, and is campaigning again this year.
From 2022 to 2025, Rogers received $125,600 from a Michigan Legislature pension. If he has been collecting since 2018, when he became eligible, his total pension income could be approximately $275,000.
Recently, Detroit News highlighted concerns about the Michigan Legislature pension’s financial sustainability. The pension, which was closed to new members in 1997, may soon require taxpayer contributions to remain solvent.
Rogers initially set his Michigan Legislature retirement date for January 3, 2001, taking advantage of a higher pension payout. He later amended the date to December 31, 2000, after facing allegations of misconduct.
In 2025, Rogers became eligible for a U.S. Congress pension. However, Senate candidates are not obligated to disclose federal government income, including retirement benefits, so it’s unclear if Rogers is receiving this pension as well.
Critics have raised ethical concerns over the practice of “double dipping,” where individuals collect multiple pensions while earning a salary. Indiana Sen. Mike Braun, a former colleague of Rogers, stated in 2020, “It’s time we make Washington more like the private sector and the best place to start is to end taxpayer-funded pensions.” Braun’s comments were published in a Forbes article.
During his time in Congress, Rogers consistently supported legislation to maintain pension benefits for lawmakers. However, he backed measures to cut military pensions. In 2012, he voted against a proposal to stop pension payments to lawmakers who transition to lobbying and earn over $1 million annually, a measure that ultimately failed.
In subsequent years, Rogers endorsed budget proposals that reduced cost-of-living adjustments for military pension recipients, including disabled veterans. However, a 2014 initiative he supported included exceptions for disabled veterans.
Currently, Rogers is the sole Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate seat from Michigan. His Democratic opponent will be determined in the August 4 primary.
