Former Presidents: Federal Pension and Retirement Benefits Page: 4 of 6
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CRS-4
allowances.' Elimination of this limitation was actively pursued by the surviving former
Presidents.6
Travel Expenses. Legislation enacted in 1968 authorizes GSA funds to be made
available to a former President and no more than two members of his staff for official
travel and related expenses. GSA makes the final determination on appropriate costs for
travel expenses (FY1969 Supplemental Appropriations Act, 82 Stat. 1192).
Table 1 indicates FY2005 funds requested by GSA in support of former Presidents.
Table 1. GSA Allowances for Former Presidents, FY2005 Request
Allowance Ford Carter Reagan7 Bush Clinton
Pension $182,000 $182,000 $182,000 $182,000 $189,000
Staff Salaries 96,000 96,000 96,000 96,000 96,000
Staff Benefits 22,000 2,000 33,000 51,000 78,000
Travel 44,000 2,000 2,000 54,000 44,000
Rental Payments 105,000 102,000 147,000 175,000 460,000
Telephone 15,000 10,000 18,000 14,000 54,000
Postage 9,000 15,000 5,000 13,000 10,000
Other Services 38,000 79,000 45,000 66,000 146,000
Printing 5,000 5,000 6,000 14,000 8,000
Supplies 17,000 5,000 9,000 14,000 15,000
Equipment 6,000 7,000 2,000 34,000 5,000
TOTAL $539,000 $505,000 $545,000 $713,000 $1,105,000
Source: General Services Administration, May 5, 2004.
Related Benefits
In addition to the federal pension and retirement allowances provided by GSA, other
benefits are also made available to a former President.
State Funerals. A former President is traditionally granted a state funeral
following his death. Certain military honors and traditions are extended by the military,s The FY1994 Treasury, Postal Service, and General Government Appropriations Act (107 Stat.
1246) had amended the FPA to limit the authorized allowances for a five-year period. Staff and
office allowances would have ended in October 1998.
6 Karen Gullo, "Allowances for Life," Associated Press Online, Jan. 12, 1998.
' President Reagan passed away on June 5, 2004.
8 This FY2005 pension request anticipates the annual increase in Executive Level I rate of pay.
According to GSA, the additional $7,000 requested for former President Clinton is for health
benefits insurance.
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Smith, Stephanie. Former Presidents: Federal Pension and Retirement Benefits, report, June 29, 2004; Washington D.C.. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc818073/m1/4/: accessed April 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.