HALIFAX, NS: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) is renewing its call for reforms to MLA pensions given that some defeated MLAs will rake in lifetime pensions for serving just two years.

“Former Nova Scotia MLAs are cashing in after getting voted out,” said Kevin Lacey, Atlantic Director with the CTF. “The MLA exit benefits are overly generous and need a complete overhaul.”

The pension plan is so rich that former MLA Michel Samson will earn a pension of approx. $76,270 a year once he reaches age 55. Defeated NDP MLA Denise Peterson Rafuse will get approx. $37,000 a year*. Mr. Samson was first elected in 1998 while Ms. Peterson Refuse was elected in 2009. MLAs are eligible to collect a pension after serving just two years and reaching 55 years of age. That means Cumberland North MLA Terry Farrell who was defeated in Tuesday’s election is eligible to receive a lifetime pension of about $11,000 annually (indexed) after serving just three and half years.

Defeated MLAs who do not qualify for a pension can collect a one-time transition allowance or severance. Former MLA Michel Samson is not yet eligible to collect his pension as he is not yet 55, but he will receive the largest transition allowance – $89,234.90, a full year’s MLA salary. Backbench MLAs who served only one term like Halifax Chebucto MLA Joachim Stroink will receive approximately $26,000.

“This MLA pension scheme has gone on for far too long. It’s time for politicians to do the right thing and scrap this plan once and for all,” added Lacey.

The CTF has campaigned against the MLA pension plan since the creation of its Atlantic office in 2010. There have been two reviews (in 2010 and 2014) but while changes have been made, the changes have not gone far enough. The CTF is calling for a complete overhaul.

Currently the plan pays out at approximately $18 by taxpayers for every $1 contributed by MLAs.

* Pensions calculated by the Nova Scotia House of Assembly as of December 31^st, 2015.