Right after 2012, Senator Bingaman will leave Congress

Senator Jeff Bingaman is expected to announce his retirement from Congress today. The five-term senator has been in public service for thirty four years. Jeff Bingaman is the 6th senator to declare that he will not be running for re-election.

Senator Bingaman to retire

For five terms, Jeff Bingaman has served as a New Mexico Democratic senator. He got the senate seat in 1982. He was elected following being the Attorney General in New Mexico for four years. This announcement comes days following initial re-election polls showed Bingaman winning re-election easily in New Mexico.

2012 retirements at 6

Several senators are launching plans even though the 2012 election is almost two years away. Announcements have already come for the retirements of several at the end of the 2012 session. These include Bingaman, Kay Hutchinson, Joe Liberman, Kent Conrad, Jim Webb and Jon Kyl. This means that any challengers hoping to win the election for their seats are free to begin their own campaigns. Elections for 2012 can be very interesting. Everybody is wondering what will occur. The majority in the U.S. Senate is with the Democrats right now. It is with 51-47. Two independents also regularly vote with the Democrats. In order to keep control, Democrats can lose no more than three seats and maintain control of the Senate.

Senator's retirement

Senator Bingaman is 67 years old, and he could be 68 years old at the end of the 2012 session. In accordance with law, any member of Congress is eligible for pension following the age of 62 if they have spent a minimum of five years in Congress. There are several factors that can change a pension plan. However, about $46,932 a year is awarded to congress members. This will go on top of the private retirement savings and social security benefits that could be received by the senator.

Citations

Associated Press

m.apnews.com/ap/db_16026/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=RHDXy38c

Senate.gov

senate.gov/reference/common/faq/retirement_for_members.shtml

Politico

politico.com/news/stories/0211/49823.html