Evening star., 1928-12-31
GIVES DATA TO BACK
RETIREMENT BILL
Conference Head Outlines
Systems in Aid of Worn
out Workers Abroad.

In order that members of the House
may have the fullest data before them
when they take up this week the Dale
bill to iberalize the civil service retire
ment act. Robert H. Alcorn, chairman
of the joint conference on civil service
retirement, representative of more than
10000 to whom this legislation applies,
has prepared summaries Of the retire
ment systems in private industry, mu-
nicipal retirement laws and those IL
operation in foreign countries.
I'm calling attention to what other
nations are doing for their superan-
nuated and worn-out workers." Mr.. AL
corn says, sit should be borne in mind
that some of the countries mentioned
are being assessed as high as 40 per
cent on the dollar as war taxation, and
that along with it, they are carrying
dole to the unemployed; that. although
they are bearing these heavy expenses
they still have adequate retirement laws
Then, consider America, our own coun
try, with its wealth and boundless re-
sourcesl When these foreign govern
ments, so overburdened with war debts,
are able to take good care of their an
nuitants, should our legislators hesi-
tate to act in order to stabilize our an
nuities or penson funds that they may
at least compare favorably If not serve
as an example of what a prosperous
country should be able to do for its re-
tired employees?
French System Cited.
In France the voluntary retirement
age in the sedentary branch is 60 years,
with 80 years service; in the field serv-
ice, the retirement age is SIS after Is
years service us years in the field.
The annuity Is one-half OF average
salary received during the last three
ary for each additional year of serv-
ice. The maximum pension is three
quarters of average salary.
The government contributes per
cent of employees salary. The employe
contributes per cent Of his salary.
In Belgium the voluntary retirement
age is 65 years. with 80 years service.
The maximum pension is three-quarters
Of basic salary.
Amounts for payments are included
in budget of governments public debt.
There is no contribution by the en-
ploye.
Great Britain has voluntary retire
ment at age of 60, with minimum serv-
ice of 10 years.
The annuity is one-eightieth of an
nual salary plus lump sum equal to
-thirtieth of annual salary for each
years of service. limited to one and
one-half years salary. The maximum
annuity is one-half final salary and
emoluments.
Employees remaining in service after
IS years of age forfeit one-tWentieth Of
lump sum fc.. each year of such service.
There is no contribution by the en-
ploye.
Optional After 10 Years.
In Denmark there is optional re-
tirement after 10 years service with
no particular age requirement.
The nnuity IS one-half of the annual
salary and after 90 years service two
thirds of annual salary.
The government pays the entire cost.
There is no contribution by the en-
ploye.
The Netherlands has voluntary re-
tirement at age of IS and certain stip-
ulated occupations, age 55 with 10
years minimum service required.
The annuity il two-thirds Of annual
salary, with maximum annuity of
$1,000.
The employees contribution is equal
to one-half of first years salary; on
promotion, one-half of salary for /
year.
Portugal has voluntary retirement at
age OF go. After 10 years service, the
annuity Is so per cent of salary and
after 80 years service, the annuity is
equal to the fui salary.
The employe contributes 4 or per
cent of salary.
In Italy the optional retirement age is
go years, with a minimum of IS years
service.
Argentine Contributory Plan.
The Argentine has a contributory
plan for its railroad employees, the gov
ernment's snare being per cent of SAL
aries and the employees, 5 per cent.
They may retire at age so, after ten
years service; if, between ages 42 and
so with 80 years service, the annuity is
SO per cent of the salary received At
age so, with service record of 80
years. the annucS is 70 per cent of the
salary received.
In Austria there is voluntary retire.
ment at age 60 and the years of service
are from 10 years up. If the service
record is 40 years, the annuity is IS DER
cent of the salary received. The en-
ploye contributes little over per cent.
In Germany the voluntary retirement
age for civil officials is IS, with no stip-
ulated service requirement, and the an
nuity is 50-100 of salary.
There is no contribution by employe
Except for widows penson).
Canada has voluntary retirement at
age 65 with compulsory retirement at
age OF TO- The maximum service re-
quirement Is 10 years.
The annuity is 1-50 of the average
salary for the last 10 years, not exceed
ing 35 years.
The employe contributes per cent
OF salary until after IS years service.