# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1947_S605
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

FINANCIAL MATTERS 605

avalanche of the most touching “thank-you” letters with ardent
intercessions for Synod and all its members. What is dearer to
“"God and a greater asset for our Church than the prayers of the
‘poor? What would be more condemning than the cries of the
neglected laborers who have reaped down our fields? (James 5:4.)
“ To their unselfish labors under God we are indebted for the
> blessings which today fill our mouths with laughter and our
“tongues with singing.

Considering the rising cost of living and the still growing
number of our beneficiaries, you will not be surprised that the
‘cost of support in the triennium 1941-1944 rose from $261,561.83
to $334,644.66, an increase of $73,082.83. In the years of 1944—1946
the increase in the cost was from $334,644.66 to $412,334.83, or
$77,690.17.

How the Old Age Benefit Offered Under the Pension Fund
Reduces the Number of Support Questionnaires

1937 | 1945 | 1946
Active Workers (note increase) _| 5,089 | 5,905 | 6,150 (est.)
New Applications for Support —._..... 74 =| 49 48

Total Applications _. |

Persons Supported _..........-.-.-------|

Pension Fd.
Retired Workers Received Old Age| instituted
Benefit (without questionnaire) _| Oct. 1, 1937 228 255

(without questionnaire) -—- “ | 60 71

Old Age Beneficiary Workers Re-
ceived Additional Support upon
Request ~. “ 20 25

Old Age Beneficiary Widows Re-
ceived Additional Support upon
Request -.-.- n-ne ene

Widows Received Old Age Benefit |

And there is another factor. Synod gradually raised the
amount of the Old Age Benefit. We must remember that the

out of the Budget. Now the Old Age Benefit started with $30.00
a month, was raised by Synod to $40.00 in 1941 and $50.00 in 1944,
an increase of 66% in six years. In 1946 we had 356 Old Age
Beneficiaries, 280 workers and 76 widows. As their benefit was
increased by $20.00, respectively $10.00, a month between 1938 and
1944, that alone causes an increase of approximately $76,000 a
year at this time. Moreover, the Board felt that it was the will
of Synod that this improvement should also be reflected in the
support cases. That naturally also added to the increase. Re-
member, we have about 740 support cases. A monthly increase

amount over and above the small earned Pension annuity is taken ~

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