Senator Ernst Advances Bid to Cap Former Presidents’ Taxpayer Benefits, Highlights Biden’s Record Pension

By Sandy Fitzgerald | Thursday, 08 January 2026 12:58 PM EST

On Thursday, Senator Joni Ernst reiterated her efforts to push legislation that would cap presidential pensions and perks, citing projections revealing former President Joe Biden’s taxpayer-funded retirement income as the largest in U.S. history.

The Iowa Republican stated on a recent news program that she has been working on this legislation since 2016. She noted many former presidents earn significant outside income after leaving the White House while still receiving taxpayer benefits.

“We know many of our presidents go out, they get book deals, they get speaking engagements,” Ernst said. “So what we’re trying to do is cap that.”

According to the National Taxpayer Union Foundation, Biden’s total annual taxpayer-funded retirement income would amount to about $417,000. This figure exceeds the $400,000 presidential salary and is nearly double the retirement pay received by former President Barack Obama.

Under the Former Presidents Act of 1958, former presidents receive a pension pegged to a Cabinet secretary’s salary—currently $250,600 per year—in addition to other retirement benefits for qualifying federal service. Biden’s Senate and vice-presidential pension was estimated at roughly $166,000 annually, subject to limits.

Beyond pension payments, the General Services Administration has budgeted more than $1.5 million in fiscal year 2026 for Biden’s post-presidency benefits, including office space, staff, and equipment.