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Annual Salaries of Top US Government Officials

By Robert Longley, About.com Guide

Shown below are the current annual salaries for the top elected and appointed US government officials, along with the annual salaries for these officials in 2000 or 2001. Executive Branch President of the United States 2012: $400,000 2000: $200,000 Note: The president's salary was increased from $200,000 to $400,000 in 2001. The president's current salary of $400,000 includes a $50,000 expense allowance. Also See: Presidential Pay, Compensation and Benefits Vice President of the United States 2012: $230,700 2000: $181,400 Cabinet Department Secretaries 2012: $199,700 2001: $161,200 Also See: About the President's Cabinet Legislative Branch - US Congress Rank-and-File Senators and Representatives 2012: $174,000 2000: $141,300 Also See: The 10 Wealthiest Members of Congress Speaker of the House 2012: $223,500 2000: $181,400 House and Senate Majority and Minority Leaders 2012: $193,400 2000: $156,900 Note: Last salary increase for Members of Congress came in 2009. Also See: Salaries and Benefits of US Congress Members Judicial Branch Chief Justice of the United States 2012: $223,500 2000: $181,400 Associate Justices of the Supreme Court 2012: $213,900 2000: $173,600 US Courts of Appeals Judges 2012: $184,500 2000: $149,900 Federal District Judges 2012: $174,000 2000: $141,300

Presidential Retirement Benefits


Presidential retirement benefits were non-existent until the enactment of the Former Presidents Act (FPA) in 1958. Since then, presidential retirement benefits have included a lifetime annual pension, staff and office allowances, travel expenses, Secret Service protection and more. Pension Former presidents are offered a taxable lifetime pension equal to the annual rate of basic pay for the heads of executive branch departments, like the Cabinet Secretaries. This amount is set annually by Congress and is currently (in 2011) $199,700 per year. The pension starts the minute the president officially leaves office at noon on Inauguration Day. Widows of former presidents are provided with a $20,000 annual lifetime pension and mailing privileges, unless they choose to waive their right to the pension. In 1974, the Justice Department ruled that presidents who resign from office before their official terms of office expire are entitled to the same lifetime pension and benefits extended to other former presidents. However, presidents who are removed from office due to impeachment forfeit all benefits. Transition Expenses For the first 7 months, beginning one month before the January 20 inauguration, former presidents get transition funding the help them transition back into private life. Granted under the Presidential Transition Act, the funds can be used for office space, staff compensation, communications services, and printing and postage associated with the transition. The amount provided is determined by Congress. Staff and Office Allowances Six months after a president leaves office, he or she gets funds for an office staff. During the first 30 months after the leaving office, the former president gets a maximum of $150,000 per year for this purpose. Thereafter, the Former Presidents Act stipulates that the aggregate rates of staff compensation for a former President cannot exceed $96,000 annually. Any additional staff costs must be paid for personally by the former president. Former presidents are compensated for office space and office supplies at any location in the United States. Funds for former presidents' office space and equipment are authorized annually by Congress as part of the budget for the General Services Administration (GSA). Travel Expenses Under a law enacted in 1968, the GSA makes funds available to former presidents and no more than two of his or her staff members for travel and related expenses. To be compensated, the travel must be related to the former president's status as an official representative of the United States government. In other words, travel for pleasure is not compensated. The GSA determines all appropriate costs for travel. Secret Service Protection Former presidents who entered office before January 1, 1997 and their spouses get Secret Service protection for life, unless they choose to decline it. Surviving spouses of former presidents get secret service protection until they remarry. (18 U.S.C. 3056 - Powers, authorities, and duties of United States Secret Service) Former presidents who entered office after January 1, 1997 and their spouses get Secret Service protection for a maximum of 10 years. A spouse's 10-year protection ends upon divorce, remarriage, or the death of the former president. In the event of the death of a serving president, the spouse gets Secret Service protection for one year. In addition, the Secretary of Homeland Security can authorize temporary protection at any time. (18 U.S.C. 3056) Protection for a former president's children is available to them until the age of 16 or for a period not to exceed 10 years, whichever occurs first. (18 U.S.C. 3056) In addition, the Presidential Threat Protection Act of 2000, granted the Secret Service additional

authority to investigate threats against former presidents and their families. The Secret Service also provides protective services to the vice president, (or other individuals next in order of succession to the Office of the President), the president-elect and vice president-elect, and the immediate families of the those individuals. Medical Expenses Former Presidents and their spouses, widows, and minor children are entitled to treatment in military hospitals. Former presidents and their dependants also have the option of enrolling in private health insurance plans at their own expense. State Funerals Former presidents are traditionally granted state funerals with military honors. Details of the funeral are based on the wishes of the former president's family. References: Former Presidents Act of 1958 The Presidential Transition Act of 1963 Presidential Threat Protection Act of 2000 18 U.S.C. 3056 - Powers, authorities, and duties of United States Secret Service

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