Every MK who served from the beginning of the current term,
i.e. the full three years, and is not elected to the upcoming
Knesset will receive a total of NIS 320,000 ($70,000) in
compensation to adjust to non-Knesset life, including an
adjustment grant.
According to predictions, 30-40 MKs currently in office will
bid farewell to the Knesset following the elections, and this
figure could increase with the complete dismantlement of
Shinui.
Based on calculations made by the Knesset treasurer's office
the cost of compensation payments for the MKs will reach NIS
10-15 million ($2.2-3.3 million).
According to accepted terms at the Knesset, an MK who
completes a term of at least three years of uninterrupted
service becomes eligible for up to NIS 192,000 ($42,000) in
severance pay and an adjustment grant equal to four salaries,
i.e. NIS 128,000 ($28,000).
MKs who are not reelected but served for a period of less
than three years will receive smaller amounts, based on their
time in office. For instance the Likud's Pnina Rosenblum and
David Mana, who took office just four months ago, will
receive NIS 24,000 ($5,000) each.
Veteran MKs who do not serve in the next Knesset will be
eligible for pensions based on their time in office. David
Levy, for example, the longest-serving Knesset member, will
be eligible for a full pension and he will receive even more
than a regular MK salary since he served for years as a
minister, making him eligible for a minister's pension.
In addition former MKs will receive additional perks
including phone costs, one daily newspaper subscription and
free public transportation.
Following the publication of these figures several MKs lodged
criticism against the amounts non-returning MKs will receive,
particularly those who served for a very brief period that
really consisted predominantly of the Election Recess.
The Knesset Chairman called on MK Rosenblum to waive her NIS
24,000 grant. He said the next Knesset should discuss the
totality of severance terms for MKs in order to avoid
exorbitances.
