Rob Anders' pension nearly $100K a year, says taxpayer group

Calgary MP Rob Anders could collect a pension of nearly $100,000 if he leaves politics after his term ends.

The federal Conservative lost a nomination battleSaturday night to represent the partyin the next election. Former Alberta cabinet minister Ron Liepert will be on the ballot for thenewSignal Hill riding in 2015.

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The Canadian Taxpayers Federation estimates Anders will start receiving a pension of $95,546 beginning at age 55.That is based on his current pay and assuming Anders will remain as an MP until theelection.

Anders, 42, currently makes$163,700 as an MP, according to the Parliament of Canada website.

"Certainly for someone who has never served in cabinet, it is a very lucrative pension," said federation director Gregory Thomas.

Represented Calgary West for 17 years

Anders has served as a member of parliament since 1997. He was re-elected in Calgary West in 2000, 2004,2006, 2008 and 2011.

Anders may still try to secure the Conservative nomination in a different riding.

If the Conservative lives until the age of 90, he will have collected a pension of $4.8 million. The federation says that estimate takes into account a twoper centrate of inflation.

Pension reform will result in some changes in 2016when MP contributions to their pensions will more than triple. According to the federation, last year taxpayers contributed $23 for every $1 that MPs paid to the pensions.

"It's a very rich pension and until 2016, politicians who are getting the pensions haven't paid for them," said Thomas.

Reform party had no-pension pledge

But Thomas wonders whether Anders will choose to receive the money.

Anders was first elected as a Reform party member in 1997. At the time, the party's platform included a pledge for its MPs not to accept a pension.

Former MPs Preston Manning, Lee Morrison and Werner Schmidt, who were elected in 1993, are believed to be the only three original Reformers whoopted out of receiving a parliamentary pension.

"Rob Anders was elected on a promise not to take any pension at all," said Thomas.

Under the pension changes coming in 2016, MP contributions will gofrom $11,060 to $38,796 a year, according to the Treasury Board of Canada.

The retirement age will also rise from 55 to 65.Anders did not respond to requests for comment.