A retired U.S. president’s pension and benefits include a lifetime annual pension of $253,100 in 2026, a federally funded office and staff, travel reimbursement, franked mail, health insurance through the federal employee plan, and Secret Service protection for life. The Former Presidents Act of 1958 created the package after Harry Truman left office without a private fortune or military pension. The General Services Administration handles the logistics; the Treasury Department cuts the pension checks.
The Annual Pension
The pension equals the base salary of a cabinet secretary at Executive Schedule Level I, which is $253,100 a year in 2026.1U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Salary Table No. 2026-EX Because it’s tied to that schedule, the amount rises automatically whenever cabinet pay rises.
Payment starts the moment the president leaves office, whether at noon on Inauguration Day or upon a resignation taking effect. The Treasury pays it monthly for the rest of the former president’s life.2National Archives. Former Presidents Act It’s taxed as ordinary income. No further act of Congress is required.
When the Pension Pauses or Ends
Two situations affect the payments. A president removed through impeachment and conviction is not a “former president” under the law and receives no benefits at all.3Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 3 USC 102 – Compensation of the President A president who resigns before conviction still qualifies.
The pension is also suspended for any period a former president holds a paid federal or District of Columbia government position. Payments stop for the length of that service and resume when it ends.2National Archives. Former Presidents Act It’s a pause, not a forfeiture.
Private income has no effect. Former presidents who earn from books, speeches, or corporate boards continue receiving the full amount.
Office Space and Staff Allowance
The GSA leases, furnishes, equips, and maintains office space at a location the former president chooses anywhere in the United States. The statute sets no square footage limit and gives the former president broad discretion over the city, building, and floor.4govinfo. Former Presidents: Office and Security Costs and Other Information Rent, utilities, furniture, and equipment are covered.
Staff funding runs on a two-tier cap. For the first 30 months after leaving office, when mail volume and transition demands are heaviest, total staff compensation cannot exceed $150,000 a year. After that, the annual cap drops to $96,000.3Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 3 USC 102 – Compensation of the President Staff hired under this allowance are treated as federal employees.
Travel and Franked Mail
Travel reimbursements cover the former president and up to two staff members for trips connected to their role as a former head of state. Reimbursements follow standard federal rates and cover airfare, lodging, and meals, but not personal or campaign travel.3Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 3 USC 102 – Compensation of the President
Former presidents also keep the franking privilege, letting them send official mail using their signature in place of postage. It does not extend to political or campaign mail.
Health Insurance
A former president can continue coverage under the Federal Employees Health Benefits program, the same system available to federal workers and retirees. To qualify, the retiree must have been enrolled in or covered by FEHB for the five years immediately before leaving federal service, or for all service since first becoming eligible if that was shorter.5U.S. Office of Personnel Management. FEHB Eligibility and Enrollment A president who enrolled at the start of a single four-year term meets that requirement.
The retiree pays a share of premiums and the government subsidizes the rest. At 65, Medicare becomes primary and FEHB coordinates as secondary coverage. Enrolling in Medicare does not lower the FEHB premium.6U.S. Office of Personnel Management. I’m Eligible for Medicare
Lifetime Secret Service Protection
Former presidents and their spouses receive Secret Service protection for life.7Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 18 USC 3056 – Powers, Authorities, and Duties of United States Secret Service Spousal protection ends on remarriage. Children are protected until age 16.
Coverage had been capped at 10 years for presidents taking office after 1997, but the Former Presidents Protection Act of 2012 restored lifetime protection for all former presidents going forward.8U.S. Secret Service. Timeline of Our History Around-the-clock details, vehicles, secure travel, and residential and office security make this one of the largest federal costs tied to any individual former president.
Transition Support and Presidential Libraries
In the immediate handoff, the GSA provides temporary office space, communications, IT, vehicles, furniture, mail management, and administrative services such as payroll and contracting.9U.S. General Services Administration. Our Role in Presidential Transitions These are separate from the ongoing office and staff allowances and bridge the gap until a permanent post-presidential office is set up.
The GSA and the National Archives and Records Administration also work with former presidents on presidential libraries. The former president’s private foundation must build the facility and fund an endowment in the National Archives Trust Fund before NARA will accept the transfer.10eCFR. 36 CFR 1281.14 – What Type of Endowment Is Required for a Presidential Library Once accepted, the federal government operates the library.
Surviving Spouse Benefits
After a former president dies, the surviving spouse is entitled to $20,000 a year for life, paid monthly by the Treasury.3Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 3 USC 102 – Compensation of the President Unlike the president’s own pension, this amount is fixed in statute with no cost-of-living adjustment.2National Archives. Former Presidents Act
To receive it, the spouse must waive any other federal pension or annuity, so a spouse with their own federal retirement has to choose. Payments stop permanently on remarriage before age 60, and they pause during any period the spouse holds a paid federal or D.C. government position. The surviving spouse also keeps the franking privilege for correspondence tied to the late president’s legacy.
State Funeral
A former president is entitled to a state funeral conducted by the Department of Defense at the direction of the sitting president, with the military bearing the cost. Honors include a flag-draped casket, armed forces body bearers, a horse-drawn caisson, a riderless caparisoned horse with reversed boots, a 21-gun salute, a military flyover, and the playing of “Hail to the Chief.”11JTF-NCR/USAMDW. State Funerals The family may decline any of these honors.