The Daily Alaska empire., 1937-02-13
WADE THROWS
 NEW LIGHT ON
 soc. SECURITY
Believes Territory Can Eas- lily Amend Pension Laws
 to Conform with Act

A careful study made by the AL aska office of the Social Security Board indicates that the Territory can amend existing laws relating to pensions so as to conform with that section of the Social Security Act relating to old age assistance without any undue strain on the Territorial Treasury.
 This study, although unofficial so far as the Social Security Board is concerned and made only to throw light upon subject about which there has been some con- fusion, shows that an additional annual appropriation by the Terri torial Legislature of only about $50,- GOO would enable Alaska to partici- pate in the many benefits conferred by the Federal act.
 "The records of the United States Census Bureau disclose that in 1930 there were 2935 residents of the Territory of Alaska 65 years old ori older, or 49 per cent of the total population of Alaska said Hugh U. Wade, Territorial Attorney of the Alaska office and in charge of the Alaska office. Of this number 946 were foreign born and 871 were natives, making the percentage of so-called aged native population in 1880 29
 Census Records
 "The census records for 1920 disclose that 1727 aged people re- sided in Alaska, or 3.1 percent of the total population. Of this number 463 were foreign born. The aged native population in 1920 was 769, or 2.9 per cent of the total native population of that year.
 From the figures it will be noted that in the period between 1920 and 1880 there was an in crease of aged persons in Alaska of 18 per cent of the total popu- ] lation. However, there was the same percentage of aged natives in Alaska in 1880 as there was in 1920.
 Tt is fair to assume that there was the same proportional increase in the aged people of Alaska dur ing the period 1930 and the present time and I have assumed that the total population of Alaska has in- creased to 69,O0o, with the increase in the native population being lib- erally estimated at 5000 persons. It is also fair to assume that there was no increase in the percentage of aged natives during this period, as there was no increase during the 10-year period 1920-1930.
 Fair Assumptions
 If the above assumptions are fair, 6.2 per cent of the total pop ulation of the Territory of Alaska in 1897 are 65 years old or older. This means that this year there are 4278 people in Alaska who are 65 years old or older. Of this number 956 are natives and 33o2 whites. As stated above, of the total population in 1930, 946 of the| aged people were foreign born. I 1 is assumed, therefore, that of all the people who have become aged inl the past seven years 54 are foreign born, which would mean a total of 1000 foreign born aged persons. think it is fair to estimate that at least 40 per cent, or 400, of these foreign born persons are still alive. This means that there are 1922 white American citizens, 190 of whom are now inmates of the AL aska Pioneers Home, leaving to-l tai of 2732, and 956 natives who| would be eligible for a pension if the Territorial law provided relief for all citizens over the age of 65.
 Estimation Difficult | Tt is difficult to estimate what percentage of the eligible people are or will be needy, but let us take an arbitrary figure and assume that 35 per cent of the aged white population will be needy and there fore eligible for pension. This will mean that 956 eligible whites are needy. Assuming that 75 per cent of the native population will be needy, it will mean that 708 natives will be eligible for pension, making total of 1864 persons in the Ter ritory who will be eligible for pen sion.
 "The average annual pension paid under the present Alaska old age assistance law is $2450 a month, or approximately $500 a year Tn 1885 the Territorial Legislature approp- riated $40o,000 for the aid of needy aged persons for the biennial per- ! iod, or $200.0O0 per annum. With