The Daily Alaska empire., 1937-01-05

Social Security Act and it's sig
 ificance to Alaskans was pre-
 pared by Henry Roden, Terri
 torial Senator from the First
 Division.
 At a time when the provisions of the Social Security Act are be- ing discussed wherever two or more people meet and when the incom- ing Legislature must decide wheth- ar or not the Territory will take advantage of the offers of the Federal Government to assist in carrying out it's provisions in this Territory, it should not be amiss | to give a clear and concise state ment of it's provisions so that he who earns may know what it's all about.
 The Federal Act contains num- OCT of Titles" each dealing with a different subject. I shall deal with those of interest to the wage and salary earnefs in Alaska.
 Title Ond" has to do with as- sistance to chose who have reach ed tke age tbf sixty-five years and are unable fto provide for them selves. This assistance is rendered as a mattel of charity and not of right. The recipient contributes nothing to the bounty he receives and the plan is very much like our Old Age Pension system now in effect.
 There are, however, a number of differences well worth to consider Who Entitled to Old Age Assistance All those sixty-five years of age (male or female, white, colored oi native, citizen or alien) who have resided in the Territory five years during the nine years immediately preceding the application for Old Age Assistance and have resided in the Territory continuously for one year immediately preceding the ap- plication are entitled to this as- sistance; an applicant must be de pendent for support and must not be an inmate of the Pioneers Homa or some other public institution We have stated that an alien, whC is qualified as above stated, is en- titled to Old-Age Assistance; l must be remembered in this con nection, however, that the Terri tory has power to exclude aliens.
 How Much Do I Get?
 If the Territory accepts the of fer of the Federal Government anc sets up a system in the form re. lquired under Title One" the Gov ernment will match, on 50-5( basis, every dollar spent by the Territory for Old-Age Assistance but not more than $l5.00 per month for any individual; in other words the Government will pay half oi the amount paid to any individua up to $3000 a month, any amount over and above S30OO must be paio by the Territory.
 The Federal Government pays lol the administration expenses of tht plan, an amount not exceeding 5at of the sum paid to the Territory under thea plan.
 In order to secure the benefit o1 "Title One' the Territory must sci up a plan for Old-Age Assistance and such plan must be approved by the Federal Security Board be. fore any grant of Federal funds is made to the Territory. It mus conform to certain requirements; i must provide for financial par ticipation by the Territory; mus provide tribunal offering fail and impartial hearing in case O. protest; a Territorial agency mus administer the funds and the Ter. ritory must make required reports to the Federal Security Board. Int age limit cannot be lower than 6; years but may be 70 up to 1940.
 It will be seen that the Territory and not the Federal Government administers and runs the plan; tht lTerrit o rial Legislature will sa, whether you are entitled to sucl assistance and to how much; tht IOld-Age Assistance Plan is based on need; if you are sixty-five year. old and have not other sufficient income to live decently, and you are qualified as to residence, yol are entitled to a modest cash pay. ment; it does not mean that yol have to be a pauper; if whatever income you may have leaves you 1T need, you are entitled to some as. lsiStance.
 TITLE 1T"
 Old Age Benefits
 Under this Title annual install ments, called "annuities" will b, paid by the Federal Government tt those entitled to receive them.
 A fund, known as the "Old Agt Reserve Account" is set up by Gov. ernment and all old-age benefits are paid out of it; while the ad. ministration and carrying out O the Old-Age Assistance Plan Ga described in Title D will be ad. ministered by the Territory. Int Old-Age Benefit Plan is run bl lthe Government alone. The Terri.