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FACT BRIEF

Does removing the president from office after impeachment cut off customary benefits extended to former presidents?

Saturday, January 9, 2021
By Lisa Freedland
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YES

A U.S. president who is impeached, convicted and removed from office is no longer eligible to receive the annual monetary allowances normally offered to ex-presidents.

The House of Representatives’ vote to impeach is not sufficient. In the Senate trial that follows, removal from office requires the agreement of two-thirds of that body. None of the three Presidents impeached to date—Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton and Donald Trump—was convicted.

A law governing compensation for former presidents sets an annual cash payment equivalent to that of a Cabinet secretary ($207,800 in 2017) and provides for office expenses and health benefits. However, a one-term president is not eligible for the health benefits, as the term falls short of the normal five years of service required of federal employees. A travel allowance is offered if the ex-president declines continued Secret Service protection.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
National Archives: Former Presidents Act
Constitution Center: Article II
US Senate: Impeachment
National Taxpayers Union Foundation: Pensions and perks for former Presidents
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Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.