Other formats

    Adobe Portable Document Format file (facsimile images)   TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 38

Superannuation

Superannuation.

To the Editor of the Rechabite Magazine.

Dear Sir and Brother,—The question of Superannuation in connection with Friendly page 53 Societies is now becoming an important one, and will become of as much or more importance to us as Rechabites than the members of other Orders, for the reason that our temperate habits most certainly tend to lengthen our days, so that we live longer and so stand in need of a better provision for old age than persons whose mortality is not so enduring. Although Superannuation in old age must be a very desirable object to attain, I regret to say many of the members of Friendly Societies generally object to pay the additional contributions necessary to secure so desirable an object. They cling to the idea that when unable to work they can claim the sick allowance of their Tent; but infirmity in old age is not always sickness, and ought not to be paid for as such; and as Temperance men, who are hoping to live long and useful lives, and not experience a sickly old age, it behoves us to be up and doing, and at once take up the question of Superannuation.

I suggest that the Board of Directors prepare a set of tables, and, when approved by Moveable Conference, have them certified, setting forth the actual amount of full sick pay, half, quarter, or other pay a member may receive; the sick pay to cease at 65 or 70 years of age and Superannuation to begin; together with contributions to secure these objects. Our present General Laws on sick pay are very vague, and leave too much discretion to individual Tents. I am aware that much must always be left to the Tents to regulate their sick pay in accordance with the state of their funds. If it is found, by valuation, they have a surplus—but to commence with they ought to have definite and fixed periods of full and reduced sick pay, to be stated in the rules, along with rates of contributions for the same—the necessity for this will appear when the assets and liabilities of our Tent funds have to be valued. At present our General Laws determine and set forth the amount to be paid into the sick fund, but leave Tents to find out by experience, and sometimes very sad experience, what they can or cannot pay out.

In reference to funds for Superannuation, my impression is that it should be vested in the Board of Directors and High Officers as the central body of our organisation, thus giving the funds greater stability, the area of assurance being larger, embracing the whole Order. The contributions for Superannuation being included in the returns to Districts, and sent by Districts in other returns to the Board of Directors, we should thus secure a large and substantial fund, whose reliability could not be questioned.

I feel persuaded that, sooner or later, we must legislate on this question, and if our members will think the matter over and ventilate their ideas in our Magazine, a way will be found to meet all our requirements.

—Yours fraternally,

T. L. G.