Evening star., 1946-02-24
Social Security Plan
For Federal Workers
Termed Inadequate

The recent recommendation of the
House Ways and Means Committee
that Federal workers be brought
under Social Security coverage would
not materially improve the Federal
retirement system, Lewis H. Fisher
former chief of the Civil Service
Commissions Retirement Division
declared yesterday in an address
before the National Association of
Retired Federal Employees.
Mr.. Fisher, who continues to serve
on the commissions executive di-
rectors staff, said proposals for an
nuities contained in the report were
far too low for retired Federal
workers.
Referring to the fact that Social
Security coverage would grant sur
vivor insurance benefits to Govern
ment workers - something which
they now lack-Mr. Fisher said this
should be included in the Federal
retirement system. However, Mr.
Fisher said that survivorship bene-
fits should 60 further than present
Social Security provisions. Depend
ents eligible for survivor benefits
should include other relatives than
wives and children if the case war
rants it, he said.
Representative Rees Speaks.
Mr.. Fisher spoke at the 25th an
nlversary meeting held in the Ma
tional Museum auditorium before a
large audience. Another speaker
was Representative Rees, Republi-
can, Of Kansas, a member of the
House Civil Service Committee.
Mr.. Rees told the association that
they Should get across" to the gen.
eral public the fact that Govern
ment employees are entitled to all
retirement benefits they receive
since the annuities come from regu-
lar payments deducted from thei,
salaries while in Federal service.
Some people feel that Federal
workers are in the privileged class,
Mr.. Rees said. TT is up to you te
make it plain that nothing extra
is doled out by the Government, in
retirement payments. The soone,
you get that across to the public
the better of you will be-"
Pending Bills Reviewed.
Mr.: Fisher, reviewing pending
ollls IN Congress, mentioned the de.
STABILITY of legislation exemptine
from taxes all retirement money OF
Federal workers, including annui-
ties, up to 1,400 a year. He also
expressed the hope that legislation
can be passed increasing annuity
payments up to $4,000 a year.
Elmer johnson, president of the
association, pledged that the group
would continue its efforts to ac-
qulre liberalization of the retirement
system "in a democratic way"
After pointing out that the asso-
clatlon was started on February 10.
1921, Mr.. johnson said: "It is graft
Tying to see so many of you here
IN the spirit of mutual interest and
fellowship, not only to signify your
support of our efforts to further
our endeavors to improve the con-
dition of the retired Federal en-
ploye. but also to pay tribute to
and offer spiritual bouquet to the
memory of those now deceased who
during this cycle, by their persis-
tent endeavors aided substantially
IN carrying on this association of
fraternal kinship"
A musical program was offered by
the Trinity Quartet and the audience
Joined in community singing. The
Rev. Clyde Brown offered the invo-
cation and the benediction was said
by the Rev. Walter J. Norris,
The next regular meeting of the
association will be held at 2 pm
next Saturday in the National Mu-
scum Building, at which time officers
will be elected