Disgraced former Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell stands to receive approximately $22,620 annually in taxpayer-funded pension payments following his resignation from Congress amid multiple sexual misconduct allegations.
The 45-year-old California lawmaker, who served since 2012, qualifies for the benefit at age 62 regardless of whether he resigns voluntarily or faces expulsion, as pushed by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) with a Tuesday deadline.
This payout, based on his high-three average salary of around $174,000-$184,000, adds to other perks like federal healthcare, House floor access, and congressional gym membership that persist post-service.
Eric Swalwell, a Democrat from California, said on April 13, 2026, that he plans to resign from the U.S. House of Representatives. The lawmaker faces multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, which he denies.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, a Republican from Florida, responded by threatening to push for his expulsion if he does not leave by 2 p.m. on April 14. Luna wrote on X that Swalwell’s statement about resigning “is not binding and is wormy.”
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Swalwell was first elected to Congress in 2012.
Eligibility for benefits remains intact
Whether Swalwell resigns or is expelled, he stays eligible for his congressional pension and other benefits. These include federal healthcare coverage, access to the House floor, and membership in the congressional gym.
Lawmakers qualify for a pension at age 62 after five years of service. The average annual pension payment for former members of Congress is $45,276. Taxpayers spend about $38 million each year on these benefits.
Swalwell, who earns a congressional salary of about $184,000, is among the lower-wealth members of the House. He and his wife, Brittany Watts, reported a combined annual income of roughly $444,000 on tax forms. During a previous campaign for California governor, he withdrew money from his retirement savings to cover costs.
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Pension rules draw past scrutiny
In December 2023, the House expelled Rep. George Santos, a Republican from New York. Santos had not served long enough to qualify for a pension. After that, Rep. Zach Nunn, a Republican from Iowa, proposed a bill to block expelled lawmakers from receiving pensions. The measure did not pass before the end of that Congress.
Similar attention fell on then-Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene when she left office in January 2026, shortly after reaching the five-year mark for pension eligibility. She had begun serving on January 3, 2021.
Why this matters
Swalwell’s case shows that current rules allow members of Congress to collect pensions and keep certain privileges even after leaving under pressure. The system does not tie benefits to the reason for departure, whether resignation or expulsion.
This setup continues to cost taxpayers millions of dollars yearly while lawmakers who face serious allegations still receive public funds after their service ends.
