The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-15
OLD AGE PROVIDED FOR
COMPULSORY LIFE INSURANCE.
SCHEME FOR WAGE FARMERS.
PaternaIism in Germany-AII TOiIers
Whose Income Is Less Than 1000
Marks a Year Must Contribute.
w. f. Curtiss Berlin Letter in Chicago

w. f. Curtis's Berlin Letter in Chicago
Record Herald.
An interesting feature OF the paternal
government of Germany is compulsory life
insurance. "old age Insurance. as it is COM
monty called AS a safeguard against pow
erty every wage-earner whose income is
less than 1000 marks a year is compelled TO
set apart a small portion of his or her
wages and deposit it with the government
for a rainy day. This requirement is made
of all servants working for wages; private
teachers, tutors and sOvernesses; private
secretaries. companions. ladies in waiting,
seamstresses and other inmates of house
holds; clerks. bookkeepers, statesmen and
saleswomen, porters. teamsters, engineers
and employees of every description, in fac
tories and business establishments. who
have reached the age of sixteen and are
earning regular wages. Apprentices who
receive no pay and inmates of households
who work for their board and clothing and
do not receive regular stated compensation
are excepted.
This insurance system is under the min
lister of the Interior The officials in charge
occupy a beautiful building, one of the
handsomest in all Europe. and il is general
ly believed to have been erected by the
contributions of servant girls, but that is
last January, and the building is several
years old. However, no branch OF the gov
eminent is housed in more artistic, and
sumptuous quarters. There are branch Of
fees in different parts of the city for the
convenience of the public.
Insurance premiums are paid by pasting
stamps upon cards. If the wages are week
ly the stamps must be affixed in advance
every Monday: if monthly they must be af
fixed on the first day of every month, and,
If quarterly, on the first day of the quarter
in adv n no
be paid by the employer, the other half by
the person insured, unless there is a con-
tract or agreement otherwise. The employ
er is held responsible, however, ana If the
stamps are not pasted in the books prompt
ly the penalty is fine. A police inspector
is liable TO come around at any time TO ex-
anime the cards. He may come every
month or he may not come at all, but ii is
just well to be prepared for him. AS the
employer is responsible, he usually keeps
the card in his own hands, pasteS on the
stamps at the proper time and deducts the
servants share from his wages.
Where the premium is small, the mini
often pays the full amount, and ii is fire.
quently matter of agreement that he shall
do so. When people hire out they often
insist that. in addition TO their wages. the
employer shall keep up their insurance. The
stamps must be Cancelled with the date on
which they are affixed to the card and any
failure to observe all the regulations is
punishable by fine.
The stamps are sold at all postoffices and
other places where postage stamps can be
had and resemble postage stamps in ap-
pearance but are of different size and de-
sign. There are various denomina lions,
from 10 pfennigs TO several marks, the lat
ter for quarterly payment upon large in
comes. The cards can only be obtained
of the police who require the person in
sured to present himself or herself for iden-
LITIGATION in case of death, marriage, etc.
so as to prevent fraud. The number of
the card issued is included in the life rec
ord of each citizen as kept by the police.
They have the biography of every citizen
of Germany. None but the person In
sured can obtain a card. and he or she must
return it when it has been filled with
stamps although the employer may be
present as a witness if desired. When
person changes employers occupation or
residence he must notify the police, and If
there is any trouble concerning an in
surance card the dispute must be submitted
at the nearest Office of the insurance de-
partment.
For the purpose of insurance wage earn
ers are divided into five classes according
to their incomes, follows: