Political pensioner facts for kids

A political pensioner is someone who receives a pension (regular payments) because of their past job in politics or their important political role. It's like a retirement payment, but specifically for people who served in government or held significant political positions. These pensions are often given to recognize their service to the country.

Pensions for UK Politicians

In the United Kingdom, a law called the Political Offices Pension Act 1869 created pensions for people who had held political jobs. This law divided political jobs into three groups based on their yearly salary:

• The highest-paying jobs (over £5,000 a year).
• Mid-range jobs (between £2,000 and £5,000 a year).
• Lower-paying jobs (between £1,000 and £2,000 a year).

To get a pension, a politician needed to serve for a certain number of years in one of these job groups. For example, someone in a top job might need four years of service to get a pension of up to £2,000 a year. Those in mid-range jobs needed six years for up to £1,200, and those in lower jobs needed ten years for up to £800.

The years of service didn't have to be continuous. Also, if a politician worked in different job groups, their service could still count towards a higher pension. These pensions were limited in number. A person receiving a political pension could not usually get another pension from public money. If they did, they had to tell the government and might have to give up one of the pensions.

To receive a political pension, a person had to declare that their other income was not enough to support their lifestyle. This system was designed to provide financial support to former politicians who had served the country.

Other Countries and Leaders

Similar arrangements, sometimes called "golden cage" deals, have been made by governments in other countries. These deals often provided a comfortable life for former leaders, sometimes to keep them from causing trouble.

A famous example is the French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. After he lost power, the Italian island of Elba was given to him as a small "empire." This was meant to be a comfortable place for him to live out his days. However, Napoleon escaped from Elba, leading to his Hundred Days return to power, before he was finally exiled to the distant island of St. Helena.

Political Pensions in India

In India, political pensioners were once the rulers of Indian princely states. These were states that had their own rulers but were under the control of British India. When the British took over these states, often under a rule called the doctrine of lapse, the former ruling families were dethroned.

Instead of ruling their states, these former royal families were given pensions. These payments were a way for the British to manage the transition and provide for the former rulers. It meant they no longer had political power but received regular payments from the British government.