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 RL34631, Former Presidents: Pensions, Office Allowances, and Other 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, furniture moves, cable installation, and disposal costs. Supplies and Materials includes office supplies and subscriptions. Equipment includes furniture or information technology hardware or software and related installation costs. Personnel Compensation and Benefits for former President Carter are provided by contract support under Other Services.

The location and square footage for Office Space are as follows: Jimmy Carter – Atlanta, GA, 7,070; G.H.W. Bush – Houston, TX, 5,379; William J. Clinton – New York, NY, 8,300; G.W. Bush – Dallas, TX, 8,237; and Barack H. Obama – Washington, DC, 8,198.