When a governor leaves office, he or she is entitled to a monthly allowance of 60% of their highest salary while in office. At the current governor’s salary of $85,000 per year, the allowance equals $51,000 annually.
That allowance is for life. However, if the former governor takes up an appointed or elected position in the American Samoa Government or the federal government for which they will receive a rate of pay other than a nominal fee, the entitlement will be suspended.
Current law doesn’t specify that payment of the allowance would resume after the former governor leaves an appointed or elected position.
A bill introduced last week by Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean addresses this issue.
The bill adds the following language to the current law: “However upon leaving appointive of elective office or position on or under the American Samoa Government or the Federal Government to which is attached a rate of pay other than a nominal rate the monthly allowance shall be reinstated.”
This legislation would apply in the case of former Governor Togiola Tulafono who is currently serving as senator for Sua District.
While Togiola’s allowance as a former governor is suspended during his tenure as senator, ASG pays the allowance for former governors to Lolo Matalasi Moliga.
