<P> The original act provided for lifetime Secret Service protection for former presidents . In 1997, it was reduced to 10 years for presidents taking office after 1997 . The 1997 amendment was reverted by the Former Presidents Protection Act of 2012 (Pub. L. 112--257). All living former presidents and their spouses after Dwight D. Eisenhower are now entitled to receive lifetime Secret Service protection . </P> <P> By law, former presidents are entitled to a pension, staff and office expenses, medical care or health insurance, and Secret Service protection . </P> <P> The Secretary of the Treasury pays a taxable pension to the president . Former presidents receive a pension equal to the pay that the head of an executive department (Executive Level I) would be paid, as of 2017 $207,800 per year . The pension begins immediately after a president's departure from office . A former president's spouse may also be paid a lifetime annual pension of $20,000 if they relinquish any other statutory pension . </P> <P> Transition funding for the expenses of leaving office is available for seven months . It covers office space, staff compensation, communications services, and printing and postage associated with the transition . </P>

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