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CRS INSIGHT
Allowances and Office Staff for Former Presidents,
FY2016-FY2018 Appropriations
August 28, 2017 (IN10759)
Related Author
•BarbaraL. Schemle
Barbara L. Schwemle, Analyst in American National Government (b schemlera)crs lc gov, 7-8655)
Introduction
The Former Presidents Act (FPA), enacted on August 25, 1958 (3 U.S.C. §102 note), was designed to 'maintain the
dignity' of the office of the President by providing former Presidents-and their spouses-a pension and other benefits
to help them respond to post-presidency mail and speaking requests, among other informal public duties often required.
(See CRS Report RL3463 1, Former Presidents: Pensions Office Allowances, andOther Federal Benefits.) The General
Services Administration (GSA) administers the law. Five former Presidents receive pensions and benefits under the
FPA: Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, William J. Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack H. Obama. According to
GSA, In January 2017, the program began funding the pension for President Obama, and after July 21, 2017 ... [began
funding] payroll and benefits of his staff, office space, office furnishings, and other related expenses.
Allowances and Office Staff for Former Presidents
GSA appropriations are included in annual financial services and general government (FSGG) appropriations acts.
Within the GSA appropriations, the Allowances and Office Staff for Former Presidents account covers expenditures for
personnel compensation, personnel benefits, pension, travel, office space, communications, printing, other services,
supplies and materials, and equipment. Tables 1 through 3, below, show FY2016 enacted, FY2017 enacted, and
FY2018 requested appropriations for allowances and office staff for former Presidents, respectively, disaggregated by
expenditure categories. Enacted appropriations totaled $3,277,000 (FY2016) and $3,865,000 (FY2017). FY2018
appropriations totaling $4,754,000 were requested. H.R. 3280, FY2018 FSGG Appropriations Act, as reported on July
18, 2017, would provide this amount.
In the tables below, the Pension category includes the pension and federal health benefits. According to a GSA legal
opinion, President Carter did not have the five years of qualifying federal service needed to receive federal health
benefits. President G.H.W. Bush qualifies for, but has chosen not to receive, federal health benefits. Presidents Clinton,
G.W. Bush, and Obama receive federal health benefits. Communications include telephone, and United Parcel
Service/Federal Express charges. Other Services includes security payments to the Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) for lease location, license and support hours for the indefinite quantity (IQ) contract, postage for franked mail,](ViewImageLocal?handle=hein.crs/crsmthmbcea0001&div=1&collection=&method=preview&ext=.png&size=3)