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U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole and Rep. Robin Hayes could get federal pensions.

As the two multimillionaires leave Congress next month, they will be eligible immediately for congressional pensions: Dole, about $15,000 a year for life; Hayes, about $25,500, according to the National Taxpayers Union, a government watchdog group.

The amounts would be increased with an annual cost of living adjustment, Lisa Zagaroli reports.

"Even after attempts to reform the system in the early 1980s, members of Congress were left with a very sweet deal," said Pete Sepp, a spokesman for the group. "They get both defined benefit pensions and a defined contribution plan. Most workers in America have to choose one or the other if they're even offered both."

Rep. Howard Coble of Greensboro campaigned against the system in his first race in 1984 and has never enrolled in it. He said he knows of only one other lawmaker who isn't enrolled, Rep. Ron Paul of Texas.

"It's a taxpayer ripoff," he said.

Hayes is worth between $75 and $272 million, making him the fifth richest member of Congress, while Dole is worth between $15 and $48 million, making her the 23rd richest lawmaker, according to a 2007 ranking by the Center for Responsive Politics.

Both declined to comment on the pension.

More than 1,000 people attended a conservative rally in Raleigh today.

After taking free buses from as far as Wilmington and Asheville, attendees listened to beach music and ate barbecue and fried chicken this afternoon while waiting for former Sen. Bob Dole and Republican gubernatorial nominee Pat McCrory to speak.

Twenty tents shaded the crowd from 97-degree heat and showcased conservative and libertarian groups on the grassy Halifax Mall just north of the General Assembly.

Among those represented: The N.C. Republican Party, the N.C. Libertarian Party, Americans for Prosperity, the John Locke Foundation, the Civitas Institute, the Pope Center on Higher Education, Freedom Works, the Wake County Taxpayers Union, the National Taxpayers Union, the Republican Liberty Caucus, Americans for Tax Reform, the N.C. Property Rights Coalition, the Fair Annexation Coalition, Concerned Women for America, N.C. Fair Tax and WPTF radio.

Attendance was free, but donations of $5 to $10 were accepted.

"These are not wealthy people; these are grassroots people," said Americans for Prosperity state director Dallas Woodhouse.