Rep. Ron DeSantis Ron DeSantisKey swing-state election lawsuits could help shape the presidential race First death reported from Hurricane Sally in Alabama Trump tells Gulf Coast residents to prepare for 'extremely dangerous' Hurricane Sally MORE (R-Fla.) has introduced legislation to eliminate retirement pensions for members of Congress.

The proposal would apply to all future lawmakers, as well as members who haven't served enough years yet to qualify for the pension system.

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Lawmakers must serve at least five years in order to be eligible at the age of 62, 20 years of service by the time they reach the age of 50, or at any time after 25 years of service.

DeSantis, who began his House tenure in 2013, said he declined his pension. He said the pension system for members of Congress is an "inappropriate use of taxpayer money" to cushion their retirement.

"The Founding Fathers envisioned elected officials as part of a servant class, yet Washington, D.C. has evolved into a ruling class culture," DeSantis said in a statement. "Pensions for members of Congress represent an inappropriate use of taxpayer money, especially when the idea of a pension in the private sector is fast becoming a relic from a bygone era."

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), one of the bill's co-sponsors, suggested that lawmakers use 401(k) plans instead of pensions funded by federal money.

"If congressmen want to save for retirement, they should do so with 401(k)-type plans, rather than rely on taxpayers to take care of them even after leaving Congress. To tackle out-of-control federal spending, Congress must lead by example by ending defined-benefit pensions for Members of Congress," Massie said.

Members of Congress and most federal government employees can still keep their pensions even if they are convicted of crimes, unless they relate to national security or corruption while serving in office.

Three lawmakers in recent years got to keep their pensions despite criminal convictions: former Reps. Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-Calif.), Jim Traficant (D-Ohio) and Dan Rostenkowski (D-Ill.).

The measure offered by DeSantis currently has six co-sponsors, all of whom are Republicans.