Good Question: What Are The Perks To Being President?
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – It might be one of the toughest jobs in the world, but it does come with some significant benefits. So, what are the perks of being the President of the United States? Good Question.
"Everybody knows who you are, that's kind of big deal," Savannah Dotson of Minneapolis said. "He also gets the White House and everyone knows where he lives."
The President's annual salary is $400,000. It also comes with a tax-free $50,000 expense account to pay for expenses related to official duties.
"Very few people run for President for the salary and the benefits, they do it for other reasons," Hamline political science professor David Schultz said. "They're doing it for the ego, the power; they want to serve the public."
The President also has full time Secret Service protection for himself and his family, as well as access to Camp David and Air Force One, which operates at $180,000 an hour. For official use, the president flies for free. But, when it's political or person, he and his family have to reimburse some or all of the cost at the rate of a commercial airline ticket.
"There's a very fine line between official business and personal use," Schultz said. "I doubt most of us are going to want to say the President should fly commercial with the risks of security."
There are some expenses the President must pay for, including gifts, dry cleaning, children's education, clothing and food eaten in the residence. Though an executive chef prepares that food, the First Family is billed for the cost.
Once a President leaves office, he, wife and any children under age 16 are given Secret Service protection for life. He can also continue to see military doctors for medical care, but must pay for those expenses. He receives a $191,300 annual pension as well as money for an office that can reach as much as $1 million a year.
Even so, that's not where most Presidents make their money after their term or terms end. Bill Clinton was reportedly paid $90 million in speaking fees after leaving office while George W. Bush reportedly brought in $15 million.
"No, still wouldn't want to be president, though," Tejal Cartwright of Dayton said.