The Former Presidents Act of 1958 provides several benefits and perks that are available to presidents after they leave office. The biggest personal benefit that former presidents are entitled to is an annual pension equal to the pay for a Cabinet Secretary, which is $221,400 in 2021. Widows of former Presidents are eligible for a $20,000 yearly pension. In addition former Presidents and their spouses can opt to receive lifetime Secret Service protection.
Below is an overview of the of the additional benefits for former presidents (a more detailed analysis is available in NTUF's November 2020 issue brief, Congress Should Roll Back Perks to Ex-Presidents Costing Taxpayers $4 Million Annually):
Office Space and Staffing Allowances: Starting six months after a President leaves office, the General Services Administration (GSA) provides funding to establish, furnish, and staff an official office anywhere in the U.S.
Travel Expenses: Chief Executives and up to two staff members are reimbursed for up to $1 million in costs annually. Spouses of former Presidents also are eligible for up to $500,000 per year for security and official travel.
Health Benefits: Provided that they had been enrolled in the Federal Employees Health Benefits program for at least five years, former Presidents are eligible for health annuities, similar to all federal employees. (Jimmy Carter is ineligible because he only served a single term and did not hold another federal position.)
Funerals: Presidents are guaranteed a ceremony with full honors and the option to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Secret Service Protection: Presidents are eligible for lifetime protection. The related costs are classified.
Presidents who are removed from office through the impeachment process are no longer eligible for the pension and benefits provided in the Former Presidents Act. Lifetime Secret Service protections is provided under a separate law so this benefit would not be impacted by removal from office.
Benefits and Pensions Allowances for Former Presidents: FY 2000 - 2017 (Dollars in Thousands) | ||||
President | Total Allowances Received | # of Years Allowances Received from FY 2000-2017 | Average per Year | Share of Total Outlays |
Gerald Ford | $5,189 | 8 | $649 | 8% |
Jimmy Carter | $10,168 | 18 | $565 | 16% |
Ronald Reagan | $4,190 | 6 | $698 | 6% |
George H.W. Bush | $15,172 | 18 | $843 | 23% |
William Clinton | $19,146 | 17 | $1,126 | 30% |
George W. Bush | $10,493 | 9 | $1,166 | 16% |
Barack H. Obama | $370 | 1 | $370 | 1% |
Total | $64,728 |
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FY 2017 Allowances for Former Presidents (Dollars in Thousands) | |||||
Jimmy Carter | George H.W. Bush | William Clinton | George W. Bush | Barack H. Obama | |
Personnel Compensation | $0 | $96 | $96 | $96 | $29 |
Personnel Benefits | $0 | $82 | $98 | $98 | $38 |
Pension | $210 | $210 | $226 | $220 | $161 |
Travel | $0 | $78 | $0 | $18 | $3 |
Office Space | $113 | $254 | $511 | $472 | $84 |
Communications | $21 | $50 | $1 | $140 | $11 |
Printing | $7 | $9 | $22 | $40 | $6 |
Other Services | $91 | $67 | $44 | $14 | $20 |
Supplies and Materials | $3 | $4 | $12 | $20 | $3 |
Equipment | $0 | $18 | $35 | $20 | $15 |
Total | $444 | $868 | $1,045 | $1,138 | $370 |
FY 2016 Allowances for Former Presidents (Dollars in Thousands) | ||||
Jimmy Carter | George H.W. Bush | William Clinton | George W. Bush | |
Personnel Compensation | $0 | $96 | $96 | $96 |
Personnel Benefits | $0 | $65 | $119 | $90 |
Pension | $207 | $207 | $221 | $217 |
Travel | $0 | $72 | $0 | $8 |
Office Space | $112 | $205 | $444 | $440 |
Communications | $15 | $57 | $13 | $64 |
Printing | $7 | $8 | $17 | $14 |
Other Services | $94 | $73 | $26 | $43 |
Supplies and Materials | $2 | $13 | $7 | $35 |
Equipment | $0 | $22 | $26 | $40 |
Total | $437 | $818 | $969 | $1,047 |
FY 2015 Allowances for Former Presidents (Dollars in Thousands) | ||||
Jimmy Carter | George H.W. Bush | William Clinton | George W. Bush | |
Personnel Compensation | $0 | $96 | $96 | $96 |
Personnel Benefits | $0 | $65 | $119 | $102 |
Pension | $205 | $205 | $218 | $214 |
Travel | $0 | $56 | $0 | $10 |
Office Space | $112 | $207 | $429 | $434 |
Communications | $15 | $60 | $11 | $80 |
Printing | $1 | $10 | $9 | $20 |
Other Services | $96 | $62 | $31 | $64 |
Supplies and Materials | $1 | $10 | $3 | $28 |
Equipment | $0 | $23 | $8 | $50 |
Total | $430 | $794 | $924 | $1,098 |
Data Sources: U.S. General Services Administration and Congressional Research Service.
NTUF Archive
2017
- Former Presidents No Longer Need Taxpayers to Give Them Millions of Dollars
- Don’t Fret about Former Presidents’ Speaking Fees, Fix the Taxpayer-Funded Perks
2016
2013