Julie Barrett is a freelance writer and photographer based in Plano, TX.

New Feature: Check Your Meme

Fresh when it gets here from Julie Barrett
Tuesday, May 24, 2016


I'm getting so tired of debunking memes on Facebook that I decided it was time to debunk them here so I could just link back to them later. 

Of course, a meme debunker deserves a meme of its own, right?

fell_for_that_meme.jpg

I miss Abby. But that's another post.

The meme going around says something like this: "Obama just gave himself a massive pay raise...forever!" The memes I see also mention that he's increased his pension by some ginormous amount, which varies.

First, the president's salary is set by Congress, and it's been $400,000 a year since January 1, 2001. Salary cannot also be increased or reduced during a president's term in office, and that salary is set by Congress. (Look that one up in your Pocket Constitution.) 

Now, what about pensions? A presidential pension is tied to the annual basic pay of heads of executive branch departments. That would be someone at the level of Cabinet Secretary, who earns around $200K. Except what the president has asked for isn't a pension increase. It's an increase in budget for other expenses under the Former Presidents Act.

You want proof? It's right here, in 2017 Congressional Justification produced by the GSA. (Search for "former president.") Yes, he has an appropriation for a pension and other items. Because duh, he's going to be a former president starting in January of next year. Also, historically the amount appropriated to an outgoing president is higher than what they get in typical years due to the transition. There's also usually a disbursement for the establishment of a Presidential Library. 

In addition to a pension, staff, office (did you know we're paying less for Clinton's New York office than G. W. Bush's Dallas office? I had no clue until I dug through this document), there's security. I absolutely agree that former presidents should have security - even the ones I didn't vote for. There are too many nutcases out there these days. They all deserve protection. 

Also note that, while those funds are budgeted, unused funds go back to the Treasury. When a former president dies, their widow if living) gets a reduced pension and some other benefits, but all those allocated funds that are unspent go back to the Treasury. 

One final note: This is a budget request, and it's not a done deal. 

So no, Obama didn't give himself a massive pension increase.

Check Your Meme!


Filed under: Check Your Meme            

 

Comments are closed






Search the Journal:

  

Search Tags:




Events and Appearances:
Looks like I don't have any events on the horizon. Would you like me to attend yours? Contact me!
All