Raising salaries or making legislators full-time isn't politically popular, so lawmakers instead arrange the pension system to provide greater benefits in retirement.

WSJ: State Politicians and the Public Pension Cookie Jar

The commission's draft report warned that the federal retirement system will begin paying out more in benefits than it receives in taxes in 2016.

CNN: Bush won't raise Social Security payroll limit

The public opposes raising Social Security taxes, cutting benefits, or hiking the retirement age to shore up the system.

CNN: Americans Skeptical About Social Security Crisis