Money Restored for Ex-Presidents

In a reprieve for America’s four living ex-presidents, Congress quietly extended lifetime staff and office-space allowances that were due to be cut off. Lawmakers inserted the item into a huge spending bill, reversing their decision in 1993 to end the subsidies of the former presidents because of the cost. The government will pay $2.2 million in allowances for Gerald R. Ford, Ronald Reagan, George Bush and Jimmy Carter. The total includes a $151,800 annual pension for each; the rest is for office expenses. The Secret Service pays separately to provide security. The biggest job, according to aides, is answering mail. The office money includes rent, staff salaries, travel costs, postage and other items.