Back in 1958, former President Harry Truman had left the White House and found himself in financial difficulties, so to ensure he had enough money to hire office staff, Congress passed the Former Presidents Act. Today, that law provides ex-presidents with health care, travel expenses, office space and staff, Secret Service protection, and a lifetime pension currently set at about $200,000 annually.
The benefits, which are guaranteed regardless of the former presidents' personal wealth or current income, quickly add up: President Clinton has received some $16 million from the government from 2001 to 2014. George H.W. Bush got $14 million in the same period, while George W. Bush is on track to outpace both, receiving $7 million since 2009.
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