Evening star., 1951-01-28

employees OF CIle f6QeFdl dSeuCle
previously not had any such pI
Federal workers are still under
tenn Or one of the score of other
Federal plans and are not brought
under the social security old-age
and survivors insurance program
Also excluded are specific groups
not regularly in the labor market
who perform some duties for the
Government such as hospital pa
tients or students or persons en-
ployed temporarily under emer-
gency or work relief conditions.
Integration of social security
and civil service is long-needed
step for protection of the Fed
eral employe. 1t is also a protec-
ton of the competitive standing
Of the Government in recruiting
employees. In this regard. Uncle
Sam is no longer leader but long
lost follower in progressive en-
ployment practices. Action should
be taken now before credits be-
come hopelessly confused and re-
action against Government en-
ployment sets in.
The greatest number of Gov
eminent employees who will come
under social security are the So
called temporaries and indef-
mites. including those hired for
temporary jobs or pending estab-
lishment of a register. Since
practically all hiring today, be-
cause of the emergency situation,
is On temporary basis, all new
employees who have not had
previous Federal coverage will be
subject to social security.
Both Compulsory
Originally, it was estimated that
between 100000 and 100000 Fed
eral workers would be covered
The recent action of Congress
placing most new appointees in
temporary status, without benefit
of the Civil Service Retirement
Act, indicates that the figure NAV
be about 100000 next year. Wal
expansion may further initiate this
number. So far reaching is the
change, especially in view of ex-
tensive transfer and hiring among
Federal agencies today, that al
most all Government bureaus here
will have employees under two sys-
tems. Both the civil service anc
social security systems are com.
pulsory, so that employees have M
choice of coverage and must &C
cept the benefits and tax liabilit,
of the system which is held t,
apply.
Since two retirement plans will
be operating side by side in mos
Federal agencies. it may be vel
to compare roughly the basic ele
mentS of the two. Strict com
parison is not possible because thu
OASI is part of a comprehensive
social insurance and assistance
program, intended to meet thu
major economic hazards of oul
society arising out of loss of in
come. It's coverage now extends
or can be extended to practically
all industry, commerce, self
employment, non-profit and State
and local public employment
without distinction. 1t is more
concerned with providing adequate
benefits for the worker and his
family than with guaranteeing a
return which is directly proper
tlonate to amount of wages and
length of employment. On the
other hand, the civil service plan
/ is a staff retirement scheme for
certain Government work and
does not take other occupations
into account. 1t is designed to
reward long, successful Govern
ment service and makes small pro-
vision for the short-term or in
termittent Federal employe or his
family.
First, and most striking differ
ence, of course. is the amount OF
contribution. Under civil service
an employe must pay per cent
on all Of his salary; under social
security, he will pay only 1l2 pei
cent up to $500 of his salary, OF
not over $54 year and the Gov
eminent contributes the same