# payday at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 25, 2008, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/payday-at-1600-pennsylvania-avenue/469541 "2008-10-25T19:07:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2008, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/payday-at-1600-pennsylvania-avenue/469541/21 "2008-10-26T16:43:06Z")
> [@jtgain](#): > > Prez: Hi Helen! > Teller: Good afternoon, Mr. President! > Prez: Good afternoon. Yes, I would like $500 in cash and the rest in checking please. > Teller: Mr. President, I need to see your ID. Helen Teller? šŸ˜ƒ ---
**Author:** ![Public\_Animal\_No.9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Public\_Animal\_No.9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Public_Animal_No.9)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2008, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/payday-at-1600-pennsylvania-avenue/469541/22 "2008-10-26T23:38:06Z")
> [@jmcvann](#): > > How does the president get paid? Does he get a check every Friday? Every other Friday? Can we assume that he has direct deposit? Does he have to fill out a W-4 form right after inauguration? Is there a government 401K plan he can choose? Can he choose from different health-care plans? Elected officials, appointees that have to be confirmed by the Senate, and numerous political types that are not in the Civil Service fall under a different set of rules than the typical career federal employee. But my understanding is that they are eligible for the same pay-related benefits as career feds. That includes a range of health care plans (although why the President would need that, I donā€™t know, since there seems to be a physician on staff and hospitals at the ready in caseā€¦). That would also include a 401(k) program that is available to all other federal employees. My guess is that the President gets paid on the same schedule as well - every two weeks, on Tuesdays. I also presume he gets direct deposit, but I donā€™t know for sure. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2008, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/payday-at-1600-pennsylvania-avenue/469541/23 "2008-10-26T23:47:58Z")
I wonder if he sits down once a month and pays bills. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2008, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/payday-at-1600-pennsylvania-avenue/469541/24 "2008-10-27T00:05:01Z")
The president is a federal employee. So that means he probably has direct deposit, is eligible to contribute to the fedā€™s version of a 401(k) called the [Thrift Savings Plan](http://tsp.gov/), and is also eligible for federal life insurance ([FEGLI](http://www.opm.gov/insure/life/index.asp)) and federal [health insurance](http://www.opm.gov/insure/). ---
**Author:** ![ChrisBooth12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e95f7d/32.png) [@ChrisBooth12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChrisBooth12)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2008, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/payday-at-1600-pennsylvania-avenue/469541/25 "2008-10-27T00:50:52Z")
so the president has to actually pay the white house electric bill? the gas for his motorcade? i thought that was paid for. What does he and what doesnt he have to pay for ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2008, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/payday-at-1600-pennsylvania-avenue/469541/26 "2008-10-27T01:05:13Z")
> [@ChrisBooth12](#): > > so the president has to actually pay the white house electric bill? the gas for his motorcade? i thought that was paid for. What does he and what doesnt he have to pay for The White House is government property. Its electric bill is part of the budget assigned to the Executive Office of the White House by Congress. Likewise the motorcade, Air Force One, etc. all have funding from the federal budget. The President has to pay for his personal possessions, travel and expenses not related to government business (unless heā€™s campaigning, in which case his campaign fund can pay for it) and so forth. All modern Presidents have also maintained their private residences simultaneously while serving. That means theyā€™re likely making mortgage payments, paying the cleaning lady, and so on. That electric bill is most likely _not_ paid by the government. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2008, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/payday-at-1600-pennsylvania-avenue/469541/27 "2008-10-27T01:07:54Z")
> [@friedo](#): > > The White House is government property. Its electric bill is part of the budget assigned to the Executive Office of the White House by Congress. Likewise the motorcade, Air Force One, etc. all have funding from the federal budget. The President has to pay for his personal possessions, travel and expenses not related to government business (unless heā€™s campaigning, in which case his campaign fund can pay for it) and so forth. In contrast, the British Prime Minister has to pay rent to the government for the PMā€™s official residence (10 Downing Street), even though nearly all of it consists of offices - thereā€™s a tiny residence crammed into the upper floor. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2008, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/payday-at-1600-pennsylvania-avenue/469541/28 "2008-10-27T01:37:41Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > Firstly, as has already been noted, your tax calculations are off. > > Second, that $169,000 in ā€œother perksā€ are not income for the President. They are funds he can use in conducting business related to his job. $50,000 expense account, a $100,000 nontaxable travel account, and $19,000 for entertainment. These are PERKS not essential for running the government. Theyā€™re nice to have but he could function perfectly well without them. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2008, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/payday-at-1600-pennsylvania-avenue/469541/29 "2008-10-27T01:51:23Z")
> [@Markxxx](#): > > $50,000 expense account, a $100,000 nontaxable travel account, and $19,000 for entertainment. > > These are PERKS not essential for running the government. Theyā€™re nice to have but he could function perfectly well without them. On the contrary, Iā€™d say the President has to be able to move around the country if necessary without worrying if he can afford it. ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2008, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/payday-at-1600-pennsylvania-avenue/469541/30 "2008-10-27T02:29:22Z")
I think we were taught in High Scool that the President is not given a paycheck per se, but that he sues the government periodically for compensation through a process that is just a formality of little practical significance. Is this anything near correct? ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2008, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/payday-at-1600-pennsylvania-avenue/469541/31 "2008-10-27T02:39:36Z")
Is the actual official name of the White house really ā€œthe White Houseā€? I thought it was technically called ā€œthe Executive Mansionā€. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2008, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/payday-at-1600-pennsylvania-avenue/469541/32 "2008-10-27T02:41:42Z")
> [@Sunspace](#): > > Is the actual official name of the White house really ā€œthe White Houseā€? I thought it was technically called ā€œthe Executive Mansionā€. From [whitehouse.gov](http://whitehouse.gov): > [@](#): > > At various times in history, the White House has been known as the ā€œPresidentā€™s Palace,ā€ the ā€œPresidentā€™s House,ā€ and the ā€œExecutive Mansion.ā€ President Theodore Roosevelt officially gave the White House its current name in 1901. ---
**Author:** ![sweeteviljesus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/898d66/32.png) [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2008, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/payday-at-1600-pennsylvania-avenue/469541/33 "2008-10-27T12:55:41Z")
I had heard that presidents routinely donate their salaries to charity. Is that not the case? Thanks, Rob ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2008, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/payday-at-1600-pennsylvania-avenue/469541/34 "2008-10-27T14:40:03Z")
> [@Napier](#): > > I think we were taught in High Scool that the President is not given a paycheck per se, but that he sues the government periodically for compensation through a process that is just a formality of little practical significance. Is this anything near correct? Not so. ISTR that James Monroe, after leaving office, sued the government for back pay and expenses he thought he was still owed. I know of none of his successors whoā€™ve had to do so, either in or out of office. **sweeteviljesus** , George Washington initially intended to donate his presidential salary to charity (heā€™d also foregone any pay as top general of the Continental Army, asking only for reimbursement for expenses, which ended up being considerable), but was talked out of it by aides because, if he did that, other, less-wealthy presidents down the road might feel compelled to follow his example and do the same, which might be a great financial hardship for them. JFK donated his salary to charity, but he was filthy rich anyway. I donā€™t know of any other presidents whoā€™ve done so, although I wouldnā€™t be surprised if there have been some. ---
**Author:** ![atomicbadgerrace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@atomicbadgerrace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/atomicbadgerrace)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2008, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/payday-at-1600-pennsylvania-avenue/469541/35 "2008-10-27T14:57:40Z")
> [@Captain\_Carrot](#): > > On the contrary, Iā€™d say the President has to be able to move around the country if necessary without worrying if he can afford it. Didnā€™t we establish upthread that the use of Air Force One, motorcades, etc. fall under part of the budget assigned to the Executive Office of the White House by Congress, and are not part of the $100,000 nontaxable travel account? ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2008, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/payday-at-1600-pennsylvania-avenue/469541/36 "2008-10-27T17:05:37Z")
> [@friedo](#): > > The President has to pay for his personal possessions, travel and expenses not related to government business (unless heā€™s campaigning, in which case his campaign fund can pay for it) and so forth. So, when Bush flies to Crawford, TX for a few days, the plane fuel, secret service protection, meals along the way, etc. are all on his dime? ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2008, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/payday-at-1600-pennsylvania-avenue/469541/37 "2008-10-27T17:18:38Z")
> [@jtgain](#): > > So, when Bush flies to Crawford, TX for a few days, the plane fuel, secret service protection, meals along the way, etc. are all on his dime? The President gets Secret Service protection whether he wants it or not. As has been stated twice already, these functions of government all have budgets set by Congress. If youā€™re asking if the President pays for his own food in his own house, the answer is yes. I have no idea if he is required to reimburse the government for travel expenses to his ranch or not; he certainly can continue to work while there and so it may be considered official business. The GAO likes to audit this kind of stuff periodically; Iā€™m sure you could get a detailed answer from them. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2008, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/payday-at-1600-pennsylvania-avenue/469541/38 "2008-10-27T17:25:29Z")
> [@Napier](#): > > I think we were taught in High Scool that the President is not given a paycheck per se, but that he sues the government periodically for compensation through a process that is just a formality of little practical significance. Is this anything near correct? Sue your high school. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Scrivener](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@The\_Scrivener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Scrivener)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2008, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/payday-at-1600-pennsylvania-avenue/469541/39 "2008-10-27T17:30:05Z")
> [@jtgain](#): > > So, when Bush flies to Crawford, TX for a few days, the plane fuel, secret service protection, meals along the way, etc. are all on his dime? Iā€™m wondering the same thing. If his innumerable [mini-] vacations on the Crawford ranch are mostly categorized as non-business-related (the time Vladimir Putin visited the ranch being a likely exception), does he have to pay all the Air Force One expenses for those trips? Sure, Dubya can afford that. But what of another, more impecunious Prez ā€“ could he be priced out of elective travel? Itā€™s not like heā€™s _allowed_ to forgo Air Force One in favor of, say, using his frequent flyer miles on American Airlines for his personal travel. If you think a corporate Cessna is an expensive piece of bling to maintain, try a fully-appointed, customized 747. Pardon the [thread] hijack here, but is the Prez accountable for any marginal increase in expenses in his Secret Service protection due to elective, personal activities? Say he wanted to take a day off and go to an amusement parkā€¦ and this required an intensive preparation by legions of SS agents in advance, far and above what they normally spend for a day spent in the confines of the White Houseā€¦ does the Prez have to pick up the tab for those expenses, even if the parkā€™s operations that day are otherwise left unaffected? ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2008, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/payday-at-1600-pennsylvania-avenue/469541/40 "2008-10-27T17:38:47Z")
[QUOTE=The Scrivener] Itā€™s not like heā€™s _allowed_ to forgo Air Force One in favor of, say, using his frequent flyer miles on American Airlines for his personal travel. [/QUOTE] [Actually, he can](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_One)ā€”thereā€™s even a designated call sign, ā€œExecutive One,ā€ for whenever the President flies on a civilian aircraft, and Richard Nixon once flew on a United Airlines flight during the energy crisis, although it seems that that flight didnā€™t use the special call sign. Naturally, for various reasons, this is generally impractical. But it isnā€™t (or wasnā€™t) technically forbidden. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/payday-at-1600-pennsylvania-avenue/469541.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/payday-at-1600-pennsylvania-avenue/469541.md?page=3)