ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — When Marjorie Taylor Greene’s resignation from Congress takes effect on January 5 of next year, she will not qualify for a full federal retirement package.
The 51-year-old Greene will, however, have had enough service to be entitled to a deferred Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) annuity beginning at age 62, or she could take a refund of her retirement contributions instead.
Greene was first sworn in January 2021, so her Jan. 5, 2026, resignation gives her just over five years of congressional service.
Members first elected after 1984 are covered by FERS. Under current FERS eligibility rules for members of Congress, an immediate annuity generally requires either age 62 with at least five years of service, or age 50 with 20 years of service, or any age with 25 years of service.
Greene meets the five‑year service minimum but not the age requirement for immediate payment. So she would get a deferred annuity payable at age 62 unless she instead takes a refund of her contributions, which cancels future annuity rights.
PROGRAMMING NOTE: This Sunday’s On The Record With Atlanta News First will feature an in-depth look at Marjorie Taylor Greene’s resignation and its impact on Georgia and the nation. Watch On The Record With Atlanta News First at 11 a.m.
After her resignation, Greene will keep or receive her:
- Deferred FERS annuity that is payable starting at age 62.
- Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) balance, in which she can keep it invested in the TSP, roll it over, or withdraw it.
- Social Security. Congressional service after 1984 is covered by Social Security, so her Social Security benefits will depend on her overall earnings record, not just from Congress.
Greene, who was elected to the 14th congressional district in 2020 and overwhelmingly re-elected since, said she was resigning over her disillusionment with the nation’s current political climate, stemming from a recent political split with the nation’s 47th president.
A special election to fill Greene’s 14th congressional seat will probably happen in March, according to Ricky Hess, chairman of the Paulding County Republican Party.
If there is a special election to fill out the rest of Greene’s term, Gov. Brian Kemp will be the elected official to set the date. With Greene’s announced resignation date of Jan. 5, 2026, the northwest Georgia district will go without representation on Capitol Hill until a new congressperson is elected.
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Georgia’s nationally watched midterms in the 2026 primary are on May 19, 2026. Kemp may decide to call for a special election before that date, or could simply let the seat remain vacant until the state’s primary rolls around.
According to Article 1, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution, no temporary appointments to the seat are allowed. All House vacancies must be filled by an election, regardless of when the representative resigns.
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