It's time for a math lesson for MPs disputing the CTF's calculation of their platinum-plated pensions. When we released our Report on MP Pensions a few weeks ago, more than a few MPs were a little upset with us. But rather than defend the pension plan on its own merits (not an easy task), some decided to do what politicians do, and cast aspersions on our figures instead.

Now, we produced two pension calculations and two severance calculations for 307 MPs, meaning that we made a total of 1,228 calculations. Somewhere in there, I'm sure there has got to be an Excel column linked incorrectly, or a date wrong, but for the most part, it's iron-clad.

Leading the charge to blunt our attack on MP pensions has been the NDP's Justice Critic, Joe Comartin. He has often been quoted as "disputing" our numbers, but has never once actually supplied a shred of evidence to back his claim. Not once has he ever actually pointed to a single number that is wrong. 

That should actually be an easy task, because the vast majority of our calculations were low-balled. If there is anything wrong with our numbers, it is that they downplay how generous they are.

Let me hold Joe's hand as we walk through the math of his own pension (for details on the formula, go to page 9 of the CTF Report on MP Pensions).

MPs accrue 3% of pensionable service for each year served. From the time of Joe's first election in November 2000 until the next scheduled election in October 2015, that works out to 37.4%. He has also been the NDP's Deputy House Leader from 2006 until 2010, as well as a Committee Vice Chair from 2006 until 2007. This adds an extra 0.7% to his total. Together, that gives Joe 38.1% of his salary.

That 38.1% is now multiplied by the average of his best five years salary. To make our figures 'conservative' for all MPs, we used the current salary of $157,731, and did not index it upwards, as it will inevitably increase.

Therefore 38.1% of $157,731 is $60,024. 

For the 2019 election, he would be up to 50.1%. Salaries would surely be significantly higher by 2019, but again we lowballed the figures by using the current salary.

Therefore 50.1% of $157,731 is $78,965.

Mr. Comartin's calculations are particularly conservative, as we actually left out that he is currently the House Leader for the Official Opposition.

If there is any error in our report, it is that we were too cautious and under reported how far-out these pensions truly are.