Current Former President Salary and Pension
In 2025, a former U.S. president receives an annual pension equal to the pay of a Cabinet secretary, which is currently set at around $219,200 per year according to the latest federal pay tables. This pension begins immediately after leaving office and continues for life, regardless of whether the former president takes another job. The amount is adjusted annually based on the same pay formula used for senior executive branch employees. The pension is funded by the Former Presidents Act, a federal program created to provide financial security for ex-presidents. For the full text of the law and current pay tables, see the U.S. Office of Personnel Management page on executive salaries here.
In addition to the pension, former presidents receive an annual stipend for office expenses and staff, currently set at about $150,000 per year. They also get a travel allowance, communication budget, and access to a federal office space, typically in a major city. These benefits are intended to support former presidents in post-presidential work, speeches, and philanthropic activities. The exact amounts are set by law and adjusted periodically by Congress, so the figures can change with new budget legislation.
Other Benefits and Post-Presidential Income Sources
Former presidents also receive health care coverage through the federal employee health benefits program, and they are allocated funds for a small staff and security detail after leaving office. Many former presidents build additional income through book deals, paid speeches, and advisory roles, with top earners generating millions per year from these activities. The most lucrative post-presidential careers often involve founding or joining private companies, consulting firms, or philanthropic organizations that leverage the name and network of the former president.
Top Earning Former Presidents
According to recent financial disclosures and Forbes reporting, the highest-earning former presidents have built multi-million-dollar incomes from book royalties, speaking fees, and board seats at major corporations. Former presidents with large foundations often raise hundreds of millions in donations, which can fund staff, travel, and global programs while also providing the former president a salary as a foundation executive. The exact income varies widely based on the individual's business activities, book sales, and speaking demand, but the most prominent names consistently rank among the highest-earning former politicians in the United States. For details on public disclosures and income rankings, see the Forbes list of highest-earning former presidents here.
Comparison with Active President Pay and Historical Trends
The active U.S. president currently earns $400,000 per year, a salary that has remained flat in recent years while other federal pay scales have risen. Former presidents do not receive any portion of the active president's salary, but they do receive the separate pension, stipend, and benefits described above. The gap between active and former pay has widened as the active salary has not kept pace with inflation or with pay growth in the private sector for comparable roles.
Historical Changes in Former President Pay
The Former Presidents Act was originally passed in 1958 and has been amended several times to increase pensions, office budgets, and staff allowances. Major increases occurred in the 1990s and 2000s, raising both the pension base and the annual stipend for former presidents. The most recent adjustments have tied the pension to the Executive Schedule rather than a fixed dollar amount, meaning it rises automatically with other senior federal pay changes. For the official text of the Former Presidents Act and its amendments, see the U.S. Government Publishing Office page on federal benefits here.