Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


   IFRAME: [1]https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-N8MP7P

   [2]Skip to main content

   (Submit) Open main navigation
   Live TV
   Please wait, loading...
   Please wait, loading...
   [3]Full Schedule
   [4]All Programs
   Live Radio
   Please wait, loading...
   Please wait, loading...
   Please wait, loading...
   Please wait, loading...
   [5]Full Schedule
   [6]All Programs
     * [7]United States
          [8]US Politics
          + [9]Immigration
          + [10]All About America
          + [11]Science & Health
          + [12]Silicon Valley & Technology
     * World
          [13]Africa
          + [14]The Americas
          + [15]East Asia Pacific
          + [16]Europe
          + [17]Extremism Watch
          + [18]Middle East
          + [19]South & Central Asia
          + [20]VOA News on Iran
     * Sections
          [21]Arts & Culture
          + [22]Day in Photos
          + [23]Economy & Business
          + [24]Press Freedom
          + [25]Plugged in with Greta Van Susteren
          + [26]VOA StudentU
          + [27]VOA Connect

     * [28]US News
     * [29]Press Freedom
     * [30]Silicon Valley & Technology
     * [31]VOA StudentU

   [32]Voice of America Logo
   (Submit) Search
   Search VOA News ____________________ (Submit) Search
   (Submit) Eng
   [33]Live TV
   Live TV
   Please wait, loading...
   Please wait, loading...
   [34]Full Schedule
   [35]All Programs
   [36]Live Radio
   Live Radio
   Please wait, loading...
   Please wait, loading...
   Please wait, loading...
   Please wait, loading...
   [37]Full Schedule
   [38]All Programs

English

   [39]English [40]voanews.com
   [41]Learning English [42]learningenglish.voanews.com

Eastern & Central Europe

   [43]Shqip [44]zeriamerikes.com
   [45]Bosanski [46]ba.voanews.com
   [47]Îλληνικά [48]gr.voanews.com
   [49]ÐакедонÑки [50]mk.voanews.com
   [51]Srpski [52]glasamerike.net
   [53]УкÑаÑнÑÑка [54]ukrainian.voanews.com

Eurasia

   [55]ÕÕ¡ÕµÕ¥ÖÕ¥Õ¶ [56]amerikayidzayn.com
   [57]Azerbaijani [58]amerikaninsesi.org
   [59]á¥áá áá£áá [60]amerikiskhma.com
   [61]Ð ÑÑÑкий [62]golos-ameriki.ru

Central Asia

   [63]O'zbek' [64]amerikaovozi.com

South Asia

   [65]বাà¦à¦²à¦¾ [66]voabangla.com
   [67]Ø¯Ø±Û [68]darivoa.com
   [69]Ù¾Úت٠[70]pashtovoa.com
   [71]ÙÛ Ø§Ù Ø§Û ÚÙÙ٠رÙÚÛÙ [72]voadeewanews.com
   [73]ارد [74]urduvoa.com

East & Southeast Asia

   [75]á»ááá¹áᬠ[76]burmese.voanews.com
   [77]ç²¤è¯ [78]voacantonese.com
   [79]ä¸æ [80]voachinese.com
   [81]Bahasa Indonesia [82]voaindonesia.com
   [83]ááááá [84]khmer.voanews.com
   [85]Khmer [86]voacambodia.com
   [87]íêµì´ [88]voakorea.com
   [89]ລາວ [90]lao.voanews.com
   [91]à¹à¸à¸¢ [92]voathai.com
   [93]à½à½¼à½à¼à½¡à½²à½ [94]voatibetan.com
   [95]Tiếng Viá»t [96]voatiengviet.com

Africa

   [97]Afaan Oromoo [98]voaafaanoromoo.com
   [99]á ááá [100]amharic.voanews.com
   [101]Bambara [102]voabambara.com
   [103]Français [104]voaafrique.com
   [105]Hausa [106]voahausa.com
   [107]Kinyarwanda / Kirundi [108]radiyoyacuvoa.com
   [109]Ndebele [110]voandebele.com
   [111]Português [112]voaportugues.com
   [113]Shona [114]voashona.com
   [115]Soomaaliga [116]voasomali.com
   [117]Kiswahili [118]voaswahili.com
   [119]áµááá [120]tigrigna.voanews.com
   [121]Zimbabwe [122]voazimbabwe.com

Middle East/North Africa

   [123]ÙØ§Ø±Ø³Û [124]ir.voanews.com
   [125]ÙÙØ±Ø¯Û [126]dengiamerika.com
   [127]Kurdi [128]dengeamerika.com
   [129]Türkçe [130]amerikaninsesi.com

Latin America

   [131]Creole [132]voanouvel.com
   [133]Español [134]voanoticias.com
   [135]All About America

How Much American Presidents Really Cost US Taxpayers

   By Dora Mekouar
   August 19, 2019 04:28 PM
   Share on Facebook
   Share on Twitter
   Share via Email
   Print this page
   Comments

   Being president of the United States comes with numerous perks and the
   fringe benefits continue decades after the nation's chief executives
   exit the White House.

   Presidents are currently paid $400,000 annually, an amount set by
   Congress. The nation's leaders have received five pay increases since
   1789, when George Washington became the country's first president.

   Washington, and the 17 chief executives who followed him, were paid
   $25,000. In 1873, presidents got a raise to $50,000. In 1909, the
   presidential paycheck increased to $75,000 annually.

   When President Harry Truman started his second term in 1949, he got a
   raise to $100,000. President Richard Nixon was the first president to
   get $200,000 in 1969. The current rate of $400,000 took effect in 2001
   with President George. W. Bush.
   Presidential Salaries Throughout History

   The perks of being president include a pretty nice place to live for
   free (The White House); a battalion of servants led by butlers and a
   head housekeeper; a trained chef to cook your meals; a fitness center
   that comes with a private trainer; your own private movie theater and
   bowling alley; a country retreat (Camp David); round-the clock security
   (U.S. Secret Service); use of an airplane (Air Force One) and a
   helicopter (Marine One) and your own bullet- and bomb-proof limousine
   (The Beast).

   And the extras don't disappear once a president leaves office. Former
   chief executives currently receive an annual pension of $213,600, which
   is what cabinet secretaries make.
   President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama in the White House
   theater on February 1, 2009.
   President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama in the White House
   theater on February 1, 2009.

   Pensions and other allowances were set in place in 1958 after President
   Truman faced lean times after leaving office.

   Unlike many other ex-presidents, Truman wasn't rich and worried about
   accepting offers that gave the appearance of cashing in on the
   presidency. However, he eventually sold his memoirs to Life magazine
   for $600,000, about $5.7 million in today's dollars, which allowed him
   to live comfortably in retirement.

   Today, not only do ex-presidents draw a pension, taxpayers also give
   them money for post-presidential travel and business expenses like
   setting up their own office anywhere in the country.

   "There are responsibilities that carry over after a president leaves
   office, which is the justification for providing an office allowance,"
   Demian Brady, director of Research with the National Taxpayers Union
   Foundation (NTUF), told VOA by email.

   "While staff compensation is limited to $150,000 for the first 30
   months, then capped at $96,000 per year, there are no limits on the
   size or location of the office space. And the allowance is open ended."
   President Donald Trump talks with reporters aboard Air Force One, en
   route to Washington, Sept. 14, 2017.
   President Donald Trump talks with reporters aboard Air Force One, en
   route to Washington, Sept. 14, 2017.

   Since 2000, taxpayers have paid nearly $68 million -- not including the
   costs of secret service protection -- to support former presidents,
   according to an [136]NTUF analysis.

   Bill Clinton has received the most benefits -- $21 million -- since
   2000. Clinton has an estimated personal net worth of more than $70
   million. When calculated by year, Barack Obama has collected the most
   -- $1.4 million per year -- followed by George W. Bush at $1.2 million
   per year. Both men are also worth millions.
   Former Presidents' Net Worth

   Brady says these payouts basically amount to subsidizing millionaires
   given that today's ex-presidents can get rich off speaking fees, book
   deals and other lucrative business deals.

   "No one wants to see presidents in poverty, but that is not much of a
   concern in the modern era," he says. "Reforms to save money here could
   look to providing a base amount for rent and furnishing and, consider
   putting a time limit on the allowance...If there are special
   circumstances imposed on a former president that would require
   additional time, this could be authorized through legislation."

   In 2016, President Obama vetoed a measure to cap office allowances for
   former presidents at $200,000 per year. A [137]bipartisan bill to limit
   taxpayer benefits for ex-presidents was introduced in May 2019 and
   remains under consideration.
   Default Author Profile
   Written By
   [138]Dora Mekouar
   (Submit) (Submit) (Submit)
   (Submit) (Submit)
   [139]Twitter [140]Instagram [141]Facebook [142]YouTube [143]RSS
   Search VOA News ____________________ (Submit) Search
     * [144]United States
          [145]US Politics
          + [146]Immigration
          + [147]All About America
          + [148]Silicon Valley and Technology
     * World News
          [149]Africa
          + [150]The Americas
          + [151]East Asia Pacific
          + [152]Europe
          + [153]Middle East
          + [154]South & Central Asia
     * Sections
          [155]Arts & Culture
          + [156]Day in Photos
          + [157]Economy & Business
          + [158]Extremism Watch
          + [159]Press Freedom
          + [160]Science & Health
          + [161]VOA StudentU
          + [162]VOA Connect
     * Voice of America
          [163]About VOA
          + [164]Contact VOA
          + [165]Terms of Use and Privacy Notice
          + [166]Get Our Mobile App
          + [167]Usage Requests
          + [168]VOA Around the World
          + [169]VOA Pronunciation Guide
          + [170]Media Relations
          + [171]Listen on the radio
          + [172]Satellite Schedule
          + [173]Subscribe to Our Newsletters

References

   Visible links
   1. https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-N8MP7P
   2. file://localhost/tmp/lynxXXXX4Oabqa/L23199764-7730TMP.html#main-content
   3. file://localhost/watch/schedule
   4. file://localhost/watch/programs
   5. file://localhost/listen/schedule
   6. file://localhost/listen/programs
   7. file://localhost/usa
   8. file://localhost/usa/us-politics
   9. file://localhost/usa/immigration
  10. file://localhost/usa/all-about-america
  11. file://localhost/science-health
  12. file://localhost/silicon-valley-technology
  13. file://localhost/africa
  14. file://localhost/americas
  15. file://localhost/east-asia-pacific
  16. file://localhost/europe
  17. file://localhost/extremism-watch
  18. file://localhost/middle-east
  19. file://localhost/south-central-asia
  20. file://localhost/middle-east/voa-news-iran
  21. file://localhost/arts-culture
  22. file://localhost/day-photos
  23. file://localhost/economy-business
  24. file://localhost/press-freedom
  25. file://localhost/plugged-greta-van-susteren
  26. file://localhost/student-union
  27. file://localhost/voa-connect
  28. file://localhost/usa
  29. file://localhost/press-freedom
  30. file://localhost/silicon-valley-technology
  31. file://localhost/student-union
  32. file://localhost/
  33. file://localhost/watch
  34. file://localhost/watch/schedule
  35. file://localhost/watch/programs
  36. file://localhost/listen
  37. file://localhost/listen/schedule
  38. file://localhost/listen/programs
  39. https://voanews.com/
  40. https://voanews.com/
  41. https://learningenglish.voanews.com/
  42. https://learningenglish.voanews.com/
  43. https://zeriamerikes.com/
  44. https://zeriamerikes.com/
  45. https://ba.voanews.com/
  46. https://ba.voanews.com/
  47. https://gr.voanews.com/
  48. https://gr.voanews.com/
  49. https://mk.voanews.com/
  50. https://mk.voanews.com/
  51. https://glasamerike.net/
  52. https://glasamerike.net/
  53. https://ukrainian.voanews.com/
  54. https://ukrainian.voanews.com/
  55. https://amerikayidzayn.com/
  56. https://amerikayidzayn.com/
  57. https://amerikaninsesi.org/
  58. https://amerikaninsesi.org/
  59. https://amerikiskhma.com/
  60. https://amerikiskhma.com/
  61. https://golos-ameriki.ru/
  62. https://golos-ameriki.ru/
  63. https://amerikaovozi.com/
  64. https://amerikaovozi.com/
  65. https://voabangla.com/
  66. https://voabangla.com/
  67. https://darivoa.com/
  68. https://darivoa.com/
  69. https://pashtovoa.com/
  70. https://pashtovoa.com/
  71. https://voadeewanews.com/
  72. https://voadeewanews.com/
  73. https://urduvoa.com/
  74. https://urduvoa.com/
  75. https://burmese.voanews.com/
  76. https://burmese.voanews.com/
  77. https://voacantonese.com/
  78. https://voacantonese.com/
  79. https://voachinese.com/
  80. https://voachinese.com/
  81. https://voaindonesia.com/
  82. https://voaindonesia.com/
  83. https://khmer.voanews.com/
  84. https://khmer.voanews.com/
  85. https://voacambodia.com/
  86. https://voacambodia.com/
  87. https://voakorea.com/
  88. https://voakorea.com/
  89. https://lao.voanews.com/
  90. https://lao.voanews.com/
  91. https://voathai.com/
  92. https://voathai.com/
  93. https://voatibetan.com/
  94. https://voatibetan.com/
  95. https://voatiengviet.com/
  96. https://voatiengviet.com/
  97. https://voaafaanoromoo.com/
  98. https://voaafaanoromoo.com/
  99. https://amharic.voanews.com/
 100. https://amharic.voanews.com/
 101. https://voabambara.com/
 102. https://voabambara.com/
 103. https://voaafrique.com/
 104. https://voaafrique.com/
 105. https://voahausa.com/
 106. https://voahausa.com/
 107. https://radiyoyacuvoa.com/
 108. https://radiyoyacuvoa.com/
 109. https://voandebele.com/
 110. https://voandebele.com/
 111. https://voaportugues.com/
 112. https://voaportugues.com/
 113. https://voashona.com/
 114. https://voashona.com/
 115. https://voasomali.com/
 116. https://voasomali.com/
 117. https://voaswahili.com/
 118. https://voaswahili.com/
 119. https://tigrigna.voanews.com/
 120. https://tigrigna.voanews.com/
 121. https://voazimbabwe.com/
 122. https://voazimbabwe.com/
 123. https://ir.voanews.com/
 124. https://ir.voanews.com/
 125. https://dengiamerika.com/
 126. https://dengiamerika.com/
 127. https://dengeamerika.com/
 128. https://dengeamerika.com/
 129. https://amerikaninsesi.com/
 130. https://amerikaninsesi.com/
 131. https://voanouvel.com/
 132. https://voanouvel.com/
 133. https://voanoticias.com/
 134. https://voanoticias.com/
 135. file://localhost/usa/all-about-america
 136. https://www.ntu.org/foundation/detail/post-presidential-perks-subsidizing-millionaires
 137. https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/580/all-info
 138. file://localhost/author/dora-mekouar
 139. https://twitter.com/voanews
 140. https://www.instagram.com/voanews/
 141. https://www.facebook.com/voiceofamerica
 142. https://www.youtube.com/user/VOAvideo
 143. file://localhost/rssfeeds
 144. file://localhost/usa
 145. file://localhost/usa/us-politics
 146. file://localhost/usa/immigration
 147. file://localhost/usa/all-about-america
 148. file://localhost/silicon-valley-technology
 149. file://localhost/africa
 150. file://localhost/americas
 151. file://localhost/east-asia-pacific
 152. file://localhost/europe
 153. file://localhost/middle-east
 154. file://localhost/south-central-asia
 155. file://localhost/arts-culture
 156. file://localhost/day-photos
 157. file://localhost/economy-business
 158. file://localhost/extremism-watch
 159. file://localhost/press-freedom
 160. file://localhost/science-health
 161. file://localhost/student-union
 162. file://localhost/voa-connect
 163. https://www.insidevoa.com/p/5831.html
 164. https://www.insidevoa.com/p/5621.html
 165. https://www.voanews.com/terms-use-and-privacy-notice
 166. file://localhost/voas-free-app-mobile-and-tablet-devices
 167. http://www.insidevoa.com/p/5719.html
 168. https://www.voanews.com/voa-around-world
 169. http://pronounce.voanews.com/
 170. http://www.insidevoa.com/
 171. file://localhost/voa-broadcast-frequency-schedules
 172. http://direct.voa24.news/english/portal/broadcast-schedule
 173. file://localhost/subscribe

   Hidden links:
 174. https://media.voltron.voanews.com/Drupal/01live-166/styles/sourced/s3/2019-08/US%20Presidential%20Salaries%20Throughout%20History.jpg?itok=oK8Fztzv
 175. https://media.voltron.voanews.com/Drupal/01live-166/styles/sourced/s3/2019-08/RTXHCUP.jpg?itok=4S9EB8Ln
 176. https://media.voltron.voanews.com/Drupal/01live-166/styles/sourced/s3/2019-04/F7C68AA5-C7D2-46F0-A563-4A4374DE7343.jpg?itok=fFjPhynC
 177. https://media.voltron.voanews.com/Drupal/01live-166/styles/sourced/s3/2019-08/Five%20Former%20Presidents%27%20Net%20Worth%281%29.jpg?itok=JmHggvmK

.