# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1956_S638
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

638 FINANCIAL MATTERS

Report of the Board of Support and Pensions
(Report 808)

1. It is with a deep consciousness of the importance of our
duties that the Board of Support and Pensions herewith submits to
the Honorable Convention its report for the past triennium, 1953
to 1956.

2. We fully recognize and appreciate the opportunity that is
ours to minister to the needs of the Veterans of the Cross and
their dependents. We thank Synod in all its constituent parts for
making available to our Board the financial means to render this
service of love.

3. The Executive Committee of your Board met at least six
times each year for the purpose of approving applications for
Retirement, Disability, and Widows’ Pensions and also to grant
Support to a number of needy retired workers and the widows
of Veterans of the Cross who were not members of the Pension
Fund.

4. Plenary sessions of the Board were held twice each year,
primarily to discuss and determine the policies which guide the
Executive Committee in the performance of their duties and also
to prepare recommendations and overtures for the improvement
of the Pension Fund, as you will see from several proposals further
along in this report.

5. To the District Boards of Support and Pensions we wish
to extend words of sincere appreciation for their effective assistance
in Pension and Support matters.

6. A very successful conference was held February 9 and 10,
1955, at the Lutheran Building, with the chairmen of the District
boards, many of whom had but recently been elected, to acquaint
them more fully with the complete program of the Pension Fund
and its benefits. Dr. George A. Huggins, our actuary and coun-
selor, was also present. All members of Synod should be fully
aware of the fact that Mr. Huggins gives us invaluable assistance
with his kind advice and wise counsel.

7. Since June 1954 Rey. Palmer L. Janke, Sr., has been active
in our office as assistant to our Executive Secretary. During 1954
and 1955 numerous District synodical conventions were attended
by them to further the cause of the Pension Fund. They also spoke
to the members of the graduating classes at our seminaries and

teachers colleges.

8. The increase of the Minimum Retirement Pension, or Old
Age Benefit, from $60 to $100 a month, resolved upon at the Hous-
ton Convention, as well as the increase of the Widows’ Pension

from $30 {
the result
port were

9. Du
tors, 12 n
ment Pen
66 applic
42 pastor
age of 71
were rec
male tea
69 years.
retireme!
may exp
in 1955.

10. F
the follo

Year
Retired

1938
1939
1940 _.
1941...
1942 _
1943 __.
1945.
1946 __..
1947 ___
1948
1949 __
1950 __.
1951 _.....
1952 __...
1953 ___.
1954 ___.
1955 __..

11.
10 pastc
an avel
average

12.

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