Evening star., 1951-06-24
e has asked the

gfeSS WOulQ appropriate Cne nec-
essary funds for the new benefits
Mr.. Ramspeck strongly oppnses
paying for any new benefits out
of the existing civil service retire
ment funds.
| When the bill was sponsored by
key members Of the Senate Civil
Service Committee several months
ago, the sponsors had hoped that
the measure could pay for itself
by eliminating the present 3 per
cent interest payment to employees
who withdraw their retirement
contributions on leaving the Gov
ernment before retirement age.
However, commission officials
said last night that the reports
they have received from jnde-
pendent actuaries declare that the
cost Of the bill would be consid-
cradle. Commission officials did
not say how much it would cost
because several aother actuaries
have not yet made their reports,
but declared 1t would run into
many millions Of dollars.
Consequently. the commission
on behalf of the Administration
will send a report to Congress
strongly opposing the measure,
the officials say.
Mr.. Ramspeck's position is that
any further depletion of civil serv-
ice retirement funds would make
the system actually unsound. tt
is this view that has caused con-
siderable controversy among mem
bers Of the Senate Civil Service
Committee as well as some actu-
aries who have been consulted.
System Called Sound.
The civil service retirement sys-
tenn now has S4.4 billion on hand
and some actuarieS declare that it |
is sound enough to Withstand a /!
liberalization of present benefits. |
The commission's strong stand
against the legislation will hurt its |
chances considerably in Congress,
since Mr.. Ramspeck has
such great influence with his for
mer colleagues on Capitol Hill.
It's practically certain that the /
provisions to increase survivorshipi
benefits of Federal em-9l
ployes to a par with social security
benefits won't be approved this '
year and will have to be put over
10 next year. =
However, If Congress approves
4 Federal pay bill, there's a chance
that it would vote additional
funds to give retired workers an
increase. But retired en-
oloyes aren't overly optimistic ats
he moment. z
Many Hard Hit. IL
Leaders of the National Associ- /
ltion of Retired Federal En- n
,loyes have conferred with Mr.. K
on the legislation, de- "
,laring that the average $500 q
'early income for retired workers i
S not nearly enough for them to
i've on. They said retired en-
,loyes have been even harder hit
~ rising living costs than pres
mt employees.
Mr.. Rampseck said he sympa-
hizes with the plight of these
etired employees, but that it was
lis strong belief that the
Governments retirement system
would be endangered If any fur
her benefits were voted without
congress voting additional money
o pay for them. Mr.. Ramspeck
ays that the system alreadyll
acks IS billion of being fully
unded.
ELECTION-T. Roy Reid, per-
onnel director Of the Agriculture
Department. has been elected
resident of the Society for Per-
onnel Administration.
Others chosen were Harold H.
.eich, Civil Service Commission,
ice president; Elizabeth T.
Gardiner, Census Bureau, secre-
ary-treasurer; Edward McCren-
ky. Navy Department. field chap
ers officer; and Fordyce w. =
Civil Service Commission. :
William P. Lehman, Budget Bu- q
eau. Philip H. Whitbeck, Navy Is
and Laura E. Dun g
an, Farmers Home Administra- S
ion, members of the executive g
II Il \ IA
LEAVE - Government officials IS
stimate that more than 5 million Is
ays in annual leave will be lost IS