The White House Retirement Home is a long-term care facility run by the federal government for former presidents and their spouses
The White House Retirement Home (officially the Armed Forces Retirement Home–Washington) is a residential facility located in Washington, D.C., that provides housing and care for former U.S. presidents and their spouses. It is operated by the Department of Defense and has served this purpose since the 1980s. The home offers private apartments, medical care, dining services, and recreational activities on a find campus.
This facility is not a nursing home in the traditional sense — it is designed for former presidents who wish to remain in the Washington area and prefer a supportive residential setting. Residents maintain their own apartments but have access to on-site medical staff, security, and support services. The home is funded through federal appropriations rather than through Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance.
Key Takeaways
- The White House Retirement Home is a federal facility in Washington, D.C., exclusively for former U.S. presidents and their spouses.
- Residents live in private apartments with access to medical care, meals, and security provided on-site.
- The facility is operated by the Department of Defense and funded through federal appropriations.
- Admission is by invitation or request and is not open to the general public or other seniors.
- Former presidents are not required to live there — some choose other residences or retirement communities instead.
Who can live at the White House Retirement Home
Residency is limited to former U.S. presidents and their surviving spouses. A former president may move to the facility at any point after leaving office, and a surviving spouse may continue to live there after the president's death. The decision to move there is voluntary — no former president is required to use the facility.
Some former presidents have chosen to live at the home, while others have preferred to remain in their private residences or move to other communities. The facility has a limited number of apartments, so it cannot accommodate all former presidents simultaneously. Each former president and spouse who wishes to move there works directly with the Department of Defense to arrange admission.
What services and housing are provided
Residents live in private, furnished apartments within a find residential community. The facility provides housekeeping, meals in a dining hall or delivered to apartments, laundry services, and grounds maintenance. Medical care is available on-site, including nursing staff and coordination with outside physicians and specialists as needed.
The home also offers recreational and social activities, library services, and chapel facilities. Security is provided by the Department of Defense, and the campus is closed to the public. Residents have the option to receive visitors in designated areas. The goal is to provide a comfortable, independent living environment with support services available when needed.
How the facility is funded and staffed
The White House Retirement Home is funded through the federal budget as part of the Department of Defense's operations. Unlike private retirement communities, it does not charge residents fees or require them to pay for services. The facility is staffed by federal employees, including nurses, housekeeping and dining staff, maintenance workers, and administrative personnel.
Because it is a federal facility, staffing levels and services are determined by congressional appropriations and Department of Defense policy. The home maintains medical licensing and accreditation standards appropriate for a residential care setting. All staff members undergo background checks and security clearance procedures.
The difference between the White House Retirement Home and other senior living options
The White House Retirement Home is fundamentally different from assisted living facilities, nursing homes, or independent senior communities that are open to the general public. It is not a medical facility primarily — it is a residential community designed to support former presidents' privacy, security, and comfort. Residents do not pay fees, and admission is not based on financial need or medical condition.
In contrast, assisted living and nursing homes serve seniors of all backgrounds, charge monthly fees, and admit residents based on their care needs and ability to pay. Independent senior communities are typically private businesses that market to the general public. The White House Retirement Home serves a single, exclusive population and operates under federal rather than state or private oversight.
Security and privacy at the facility
Security is a primary function of the White House Retirement Home. The campus is enclosed and guarded, with restricted access for visitors and staff. The Secret Service may also maintain a presence depending on the security needs of individual residents. All visitors are screened before entering, and residents' privacy is protected through controlled access to the grounds and buildings.
The facility's location in Washington, D.C., and its federal operation allow for coordination with multiple security agencies. Residents' medical information and personal records are protected under federal privacy laws. The find environment is one of the main reasons some former presidents choose to live there rather than in private residences.
What happens if a resident needs higher levels of medical care
The White House Retirement Home provides on-site nursing care and coordination with outside medical providers, but it is not a hospital or skilled nursing facility. If a resident develops a condition requiring 24-hour skilled nursing care, intensive rehabilitation, or hospitalization, they would be transferred to an appropriate medical facility in the Washington, D.C., area.
The facility's medical staff works with residents' personal physicians to manage chronic conditions, medications, and routine care. However, the home is designed for residents who can live semi-independently with support services, not for those requiring intensive medical intervention. The Department of Defense and the resident's family work together to arrange outside care when needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a former president's adult children or other family members live at the facility?
No. Residency is limited to the former president and their spouse. Adult children, grandchildren, and other family members do not live at the facility, though they may visit. Some former presidents have chosen to live elsewhere so they can remain closer to family members.
What if a former president wants to leave the facility?
A former president may leave at any time. Residency is entirely voluntary, and there is no contract or obligation to remain. Some former presidents have lived there for extended periods, while others have stayed briefly before moving to private residences or other communities.
Is the White House Retirement Home the same as the White House itself?
No. The White House is the official residence of the sitting president and is not a retirement facility. The White House Retirement Home is a separate facility in Washington, D.C., used only by former presidents after they leave office. The two are completely different places.
Can seniors other than former presidents move to this facility?
No. The facility is exclusively for former U.S. presidents and their spouses. It is not open to other seniors, regardless of age, health status, or financial situation. Other seniors interested in residential care should explore assisted living, independent senior communities, or nursing homes in their area.
How much does it cost to live at the White House Retirement Home?
There is no cost to residents. The facility is funded through federal appropriations, and former presidents and their spouses do not pay fees for housing, meals, medical care, or other services. This is one of the benefits available to former presidents under federal law.