13 perks of being the vice president of the United States

Vice presidents receive a generous annual salary in addition to cost-of-living adjustments.

While the president's salary is capped at $400,000, the vice president's salary is more fluid, possibly because the Constitution said nothing about the vice president's earnings.

The salary for the role in 2024 is $284,600, per the Department of Commerce, but a pay freeze since 2019 means the vice president actually receives $235,100, according to the Chief Human Capital Officers Council. That's the same amount Mike Pence received while vice president in 2019.

They get to live in Number One Observatory Circle, a 9,150-square-foot Victorian mansion just a stone's throw away from the White House.

Built in 1893, Number One Observatory Circle has been the home of every vice president since 1977. Vice President Walter Mondale was the first second-in-command to live in the home, and it has since been the primary residence of vice presidents Bush, Quayle, Gore, Cheney, Biden, Pence, and their families. 

The historic home features beautiful chandeliers, mahogany floors, black marble fireplaces, and a desk previously used by Theodore Roosevelt.

Vice presidents can redecorate the home as they choose.

Vice presidents and their families have been known to put their own personal touches on the home.

"It really changed from one administration to another," Charles Denyer, a historian and the author of "Number One Observatory Circle: The Home of the Vice President of the United States," told USA Today in 2017. 

Dick Cheney and his family redecorated the home using a neutral color scheme of creams and greens after moving in, while George H.W. Bush installed a horseshoe pit on the grounds during his term as vice president. 

 

Vice presidents have access to Air Force Two.

While the president flies on a modified Boeing 747 dubbed Air Force One, the second in command travels on a Boeing 757 plane aptly named Air Force Two when in use.

The first lady, secretary of state, and vice president are the most frequent flyers on Air Force Two, but the plane is only referred to by that name if the vice president is on board.

They use military aircraft for official travel, which is also paid for by the government.

A 2012 congressional report on presidential travel said that both presidents and vice presidents are entitled to government-sponsored travel while on official White House business. The government pays for food, lodging, car rentals, and other incidentals. 

However, while the vice president is always entitled to travel on military aircraft, the second spouse only uses a military aircraft when he or she accompanies the vice president, or when he or she "is designated as the vice president's representative to attend a special function," the report states.

They also have access to armored cars.

The limousines used by the vice president are noticeably smaller than those used by the president, which are known as "The Beasts." 

However, despite being smaller in size, the vice president's fleet of cars is just as protective. Both the vice president's and president's motorcades are heavily armored, bullet-proof, and bomb-proof.

After leaving office, vice presidents have temporary Secret Service protection.

However, unlike the president who receives Secret Service protection for life, former vice presidents are only protected for up to six months after the date they leave office, USA Today reported.

That amount of time can be increased by the Department of Homeland Security, but it was not for Joe Biden, the last vice president to leave office.

A staff of dozens of aides assist the vice president.

Though there is no word yet on who could be included in the next administration's cabinet, Vance has said there may be space for a Democrat in Trump's cabinet, The Hill reported in August.

If the president allows it, vice presidents may also enjoy the many amenities of the White House, like the movie theater, putting green, and bowling alley.

In 2009, Biden was photographed playing golf with President Barack Obama on the White House putting green.

However, that's not all the White House has to offer. The presidential residence is also home to a bowling alley, which Melania Trump renovated the last time she served as first lady, a basketball court, a restaurant, and a movie theater.

At official White House functions, vice presidents enjoy food prepared by the executive chef and executive pastry chef.

The White House executive chef and executive pastry chef are primarily hired to serve the first family and White House official functions. However, vice presidents also take part in events that feature the culinary stylings of the executive chef and executive pastry chef.

Vice presidents have the ability to break any tie votes in the Senate.

As president of the Senate, the vice president has the authority to cast a tie-breaking vote in the event that Congress can not come to a decision.

Vice President Kamala Harris has cast the most tie-breaking votes in the Senate out of any vice president.

Former vice presidents also receive a retirement income based on their role as president of the Senate.

Vice presidents' pensions depend largely upon the number of years they have served in public office.

For example, Forbes reported Biden received a $1 million federal pension after leaving office in 2016 in exchange for his 43 years in public office and his service as vice president.

Perhaps most notably, all vice presidents could become president.

Though likely no vice president would wish for the demise of the commander in chief, arguably the biggest honor and perk of being the vice president is the opportunity to take over the position of president if they are no longer able to serve. 

Eight vice presidents have ascended to the presidency after the death of their president, while just one, Gerald R. Ford, became president upon President Richard Nixon's resignation. However, more vice presidents have also run for president after leaving office, including President Joe Biden.