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. | $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. | 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. | 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. | 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
2016
Pensions and Perks for Former Presidents
2013
The Perks of Being a Former President
Spending Spotlight: Benefits for Former Presidents
By Robert Morello Updated June 28, 2018
Only 44 individuals have served as president of the United States since George Washington was elected the first in 1789. Today, upon retirement, each of these leaders receives a pension from the federal government along with Secret Service protection for himself and his family and a host of other benefits.
If you think the President's perks end when leaving office, think again.
Each former president receives the same salary as a current member of the Presidential Cabinet. For 2017, the amount was $207,800 per year. This number does not take into account the extras the former leader is entitled to including payroll for office staff and free postage for life. The former president is granted a host of benefits that often add up to more than the pension payment itself. For example, ex-presidents are allowed office space and communications systems paid for by taxpayers. Fiscal year 2018 budget requests for the former presidents include $536,000 for office space for former President Barack Obama and $68,000 for travel for George H.W. Bush.
Should the former president be survived by a spouse, the spouse is granted a pension of $20,000 for life, as well as a free postage benefit.
On top of all these pension payments and benefits come the expenses involved with the personal protection of each former president and his family. In total the amount spent on a former president can reach into the millions of dollars per year. In 2015, former president Jimmy Carter accounted for over $200,000 in additional costs while expenses for George W. Bush reached $800,000. Budget requests for former President Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Obama in 2018 exceed $1 million each, including pension costs.
In addition to earning a pension, the former president is free to publish memoirs, join corporate boards and give speeches for payment to audiences around the world. The potential earnings for such activities is nearly without limit. Clinton went on to earn over $65 million in speaking fees alone after his presidency and another $15 million for his published memoirs.
Ex-presidents did not earn pensions until 1958 when Congress put in place the Former Presidents Act, providing the benefits today's leaders now receive.
Before this Act was passed, ex-presidents were given nothing after leaving office, and the results were evident. For example, Thomas Jefferson sold his personal library to create the basis for the Library of Congress and James Monroe was destitute when he died.
References
Writer Bio
Robert Morello has an extensive travel, marketing and business background. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Columbia University in 2002 and has worked in travel as a guide, corporate senior marketing and product manager and travel consultant/expert. Morello is a professional writer and adjunct professor of travel and tourism.
At the same time, the immunity of the ex-head of Russia was already secured by federal law in 2001.
We tell you what privileges the presidents of other countries retain or receive when they leave office.
Under Russian law, the former president of the country is already entitled to various legal, social and other guarantees. After the resignation of the first head of state Boris Yeltsin, Vladimir Putin (then acting president) signed a decree dated December 31, 1999 "On guarantees to the president of the Russian Federation, who has ceased to exercise his powers, and members of his family." In 2001, already President Putin signed the federal law of the same name, which clarified the old decree. It was later amended twice in 2007 and 2010. nine0003
The former head of state will continue to be protected by the FSO (Federal Security Service), he will retain special communications, transport services and a pension - 75% of his monthly salary.
The ex-president must be provided with an apparatus of assistants, special hospitals, state life and health insurance at the expense of the federal budget, and one of the state dachas will remain at his service for life.
The immunity of the former president is also reflected in the federal law. He cannot be held criminally or administratively liable for acts that he committed during his presidency, and he cannot be detained, arrested, subjected to a search, interrogation or body search. Exceptions: serious crimes during the presidency, on the fact of which a criminal case has been initiated. Immunity is lifted only with the consent of the State Duma, if the Investigative Committee, having initiated a criminal case, sent a corresponding submission there. The final decision on deprivation of immunity is made only by the Federation Council. nine0003
Ukraine moment of the draft law "On the President of Ukraine". The law that was not adopted, in particular, provided for the immunity of the former president.
The Rada decided that since the Constitution of Ukraine provides for immunity only for the current president of the country, there are no legal grounds for providing additional guarantees of immunity to former presidents. nine0003
Poroshenko received immunity when he was elected to the Verkhovna Rada on August 29, 2019, and already on September 3, parliament abolished parliamentary immunity. This was one of the campaign promises of the new President Volodymyr Zelensky. Now Poroshenko appears as a witness in 16 criminal cases that are at different stages of investigation. He is accused under articles on treason, abuse of office, money laundering and others.
Former President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko at the building of the State Bureau of Investigation of Ukraine, where he arrived for interrogation in a case of high treason. Photo: Petr Sivkov / TASS After the "Revolution of Dignity" (Euromaidan) in November 2014, the Ukrainian authorities announced the abolition of benefits and privileges for former officials.
Then they canceled the orders that provided sanatorium-resort, car services for former presidents, prime ministers and ministers. But in 2016, Radio Liberty journalists found that some former officials still continued to enjoy some benefits.
Privileges for former Presidents of France are regulated by law of 3 April 1955, which has undergone some changes only in 2016. The country's constitution establishes temporary immunity for the head of state during his term of office. So, for example, Nicolas Sarkozy was detained by investigators in the framework of the case of "passive corruption, illegal financing of the election campaign and concealment of funds stolen from the (Libyan) budget." The case is still under investigation. This is the first and only case in modern France when a former head of state was taken into custody. nine0003
The retired president of France can remain in public service and become a life member of the Constitutional Council, the equivalent of the Constitutional Court in Russia.
This gives legal immunity if the former head renounces political activity and does not apply for elected office. In this case, he will receive a pension and salary - 6 thousand + 11.5 thousand euros per month, respectively.
The ex-president is also provided with a free furnished apartment, security, two cars with drivers and a staff of seven permanent employees - assistants, secretaries, chief of staff. The maintenance of former presidents costs the state 10.3 million euros a year. nine0003
In the United States, the president, leaving office, also loses presidential immunity, but enjoys privileges for the rest of his life. He is also paid a pension of $213,000 a year, while the president's annual salary is $400,000. He may also employ assistants, advisers and support staff for 30 months after leaving the service.
For 10 years he has been using the services of security guards, special communications, and has received preferential treatment for medical and transport services.
The federal budget also compensates former presidents for their business expenses. nine0003 Former US President Barack Obama. Photo: Rick Bowmer / AP
From 2000 to 2019, the United States spent almost $68 million on the maintenance of former presidents, excluding security costs, according to the National Taxpayers Union.
There is no immunity for former Mexican presidents, and in 2018, new President Andrés Manuel López Obrador proposed abolishing it altogether for the incumbent. Under current law, presidents can only be prosecuted for treason. The lower house of Congress voted "yes" with an absolute majority. For these changes, it is necessary to amend the country's Constitution, but so far the Senate has come to nothing. nine0003
At the same time, in 2019, López Obrador canceled pensions and privileges for the former heads of the country in order to reduce the difference between their income and the average income of workers. Before that, all six living ex-presidents received about $10,000 a month.
It was reported that two of them had already waived this right, and another donated his pension to a foundation that helps children with cancer.
Also available to former presidents was free health insurance, housing and all utility bills, armored cars and at least three cars for bodyguards, maintenance of all their cars, car insurance, and taxes. For some of them, air tickets and communications were free. nine0003
An article in the Turkish Constitution that granted general immunity from prosecution to former presidents was abolished after a referendum in 2010. This allowed the investigation of former President Kenan Evren and his associate General Tahsin Şahinkai (former commander of the Turkish Air Force) for their role in the 1980 coup. The court found them guilty of committing a "crime against state power" and sentenced them to life imprisonment. nine0003 Former President of Turkey Abdullah Gul. Photo: Burhan Ozbilici / AP
Immunity only applies to sitting presidents and members of parliament.
So thanks to this, the predecessor of the current head of Turkey, Recep Erdogan, Abdullah Gul, avoided accusations in a major financial scandal - the "case of the lost trillion." Now only two former presidents of Turkey remain alive - Gul and Ahmet Necdet Sezer, who receive a pension from the state.
There is no immunity for former presidents in South Korea. Since the formation of the republic in 1948, three of the 12 presidents have been found guilty of criminal offenses on charges ranging from premeditated murder to corruption. Cases against two more have not been brought to trial.
In 2018, a court found former President Park Geun-hye guilty of corruption and revealing state secrets and sentenced her to 24 years in prison. Another President Roh Moo-hyun in 2009committed suicide after being accused of accepting a $6 million bribe from a textile firm in Busan.
All former presidents of South Korea who are not on trial receive a lifetime pension and state protection.
They cannot refuse protection, unlike the prime minister. After the death of all former presidents, a state funeral is held.
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Consultant Plus: note.
Art. 15 (with the exception of paragraph 3) is extended to judges who have retired from this position, regardless of the time of retirement (FZ of 06/21/1995 N 91-FZ).
Article 15. Resignation of a judge
1. The resignation of a judge, within the meaning of this Law, is the honorable resignation or honorable removal of a judge from office. A retired person retains the title of judge, guarantees of personal immunity and membership in the judicial community. nine0003
2. Every judge has the right to retire at will, regardless of age. A judge is considered retired or retired if his powers are terminated on the grounds provided for in subparagraphs 1, 2, 4, 9 and 11 of paragraph 1 of Article 14 of this Law.
(as amended by Federal Laws No. 91-FZ of 21.06.1995, No. 169-FZ of 15.12.2001, No. 33-FZ of 05.04.2005, No. 126-FZ of 28.06.2009)
(see text) in the previous wording)
The time of work as a judge in the regions of the Far North and equivalent areas is counted in the length of service of a judge in one and a half times. nine0003
(paragraph introduced by Federal Law No. 91-FZ of 21.06.1995)
monetary compensation for the leaving position. At the same time, a judge who has previously retired or retired shall only take into account the period of work as a judge that has elapsed since the termination of the last resignation. nine0003
(as amended by Federal Law No. 269-FZ of December 25, 2012)
(see the text in the previous edition)
3.1. For a retired or retired judge appointed before January 1, 2012, the amount of the severance pay provided for in paragraph 3 of this article, in the part exceeding three times the average monthly salary, is multiplied by a factor of 1.
15.
(Clause 3.1 was introduced by Federal Law No. 330-FZ of November 21, 2011)
federal budget in the manner determined by the Government of the Russian Federation. nine0003
(clause 4 as amended by Federal Law No. 122-FZ of 22.08.2004)
(see the text in the previous edition)
ConsultantPlus: note.
On the identification of the constitutional and legal meaning of paragraph 5 of Art. 15 see Resolution of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation of February 19, 2002 N 5-P.
Consultant Plus: note.
Abs. 1 p. 5 art. 15 applies to judges transferred to state organizations and retired from this job, as well as to persons who worked as a state arbitrator and retired from this position (FZ of 06/21/1995 N 91-FZ).
5. A retired judge is paid a pension on a general basis. A retired judge who has served as a judge for at least 20 years is paid, at his choice, a pension on a general basis or a tax-free monthly life allowance in the amount of eighty percent of the monthly monetary remuneration of a judge working in the relevant position.
For a retired judge who has less than 20 years of experience as a judge and has reached the age of 55 (for women - 50) years, the amount of the monthly life allowance is calculated in proportion to the number of full years worked in the position of a judge. nine0003
(as amended by Federal Law No. 269-FZ of December 25, 2012)
(see the text in the previous edition)
: for each year of work experience over 20 years - one percent of the specified allowance, but in total no more than 85 percent of the monthly monetary remuneration of the judge holding the corresponding position.
(paragraph introduced by the Federal Law of 06/21/1995 N 91-FZ, as amended. Federal Law of December 25, 2012 N 269-FZ)
(see the text in the previous edition)
ConsultantPlus: note.
Abs. 3 p. 5 art. 15 applies to judges transferred to state organizations and retired from this job, as well as to persons who worked as a state arbitrator and retired from this position (FZ of 06/21/1995 N 91-FZ).
Retired judges who become disabled due to war injury are entitled to a monthly life allowance and disability pension. nine0003
(paragraph introduced by Federal Law No. 91-FZ of 21.06.1995)
ConsultantPlus: note.
Clause 5.1 of Art. 15 (as amended by the Federal Law of March 6, 2019 N 25-FZ) applies, among other things, to judges who became disabled before March 6, 2019 due to reasons not related to official activities.
5.1. A judge who, during the period of exercising his powers, became disabled due to reasons not related to official activities, before he acquired the right to a monthly life allowance, who retired or retired due to his inability to exercise the powers of a judge for health reasons, shall be paid a monthly allowance of his choice. disability or disability pension on a general basis. nine0003
Monthly allowance for disability of the indicated category of judges is calculated in proportion to the number of full years worked as a judge, and is set as follows:
Disabled persons of groups I and II - 3 percent of the monthly monetary remuneration of a judge working in the relevant position for each full year worked ;
invalids of group III - 2 percent of the monthly monetary remuneration of a judge working in the relevant position for each full year worked.
nine0003
Monthly allowance due to disability is established for the period during which the relevant person is recognized as disabled in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of the Russian Federation, but no more than until the realization of the right acquired by him to monthly life allowance.
(Clause 5.1 was introduced by Federal Law No. 25-FZ of March 6, 2019)
imposition of a disciplinary sanction in the form of early termination of the powers of a judge in accordance with paragraphs 1 and 5 of Article 12.1 of this Law, if the limitation period established by paragraph 6 of Article 12.1 of this Law has not expired; nine0003
2) failure to comply with the prohibitions and restrictions provided for in paragraphs 3 and 4 of Article 3 of this Law;
3) significant, guilty, incompatible with the high rank of a judge, violation of the provisions of this Law and (or) the Code of Judicial Ethics, discrediting the honor and dignity of a judge, detracting from the authority of the judiciary;
4) engaging in activities incompatible with the status of a judge;
5) entry into legal force of a judgment of conviction against a judge; nine0003
6) the death of a judge or the entry into force of a court decision declaring him dead.
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