William Penn, 1964 (47. évfolyam, 5-21. szám)

1964-07-15 / 14. szám

VOL. XLVII. JULY 15, 1964 '=*s**> 51 NUMBER 14.

SUMMERTIME

There is a popular tune titled “Summertime”, beautiful and sentimental, and now a standard because it was composed a fairly long while back and has never gone by the wayside musically. This number was the theme song of the Bob Crosby (Bing’s younger brother) orchestra during the big band era of the 30’sl and 40,s.

Summertime is also the beautiful season of the year. After months of restraint brought on by the merciless months of winter and early spring, people burst forth in exhiliration when the good weather comes again. They frolic in the warmth and cheer of the sunshine, they spend as much time as possible outdoors, they go swimming, picnicking, sight-seeing, and, unless they have Florida in mind, they plan their vacations sometime during the summer months or early fall.

Yes, summertime is the time — but summertime with all its beauty, joy, recreation and happiness is also the most dangerous and hazardous time of the year. It follows that this is the season that promotes the most outside activities and consequently the risks thereof are multiplied over and over. Independence Day, or Fourth of July as it is commonly called, is an example that can graphically serve the purpose of this article. Millions of Americans leave their homes to take to the highways and byways on this great holiday, bent on celebrating the day each in his own way. Hundreds of those Americans never return home because they were killed in automobile accidents, and thousands are injured. The toll of the injured and the dead can not, however, bd reckoned only in motor car accidents. Many other factors contribute to the grim picture of death, destruction, injury and maiming.

With these negative facts in mind what assurances are there that we can make summertime a safe time for ourselves and for our families? Really not much if we are determined to lead active lives and follow varied pursuits during the summer. O course we can help ourselves by driving with care, swimming where expert lifeguard protection exists, not going to areas of wilderness where many natural hazards abound, etc. There is, however, no guarantee of protection against our own fickle fellow man and against various accidents.

Since summertime is fraught with its dangers and its myriad hazards, which we can not avoid unless we become indoor recluses, what is there to do? The answer is that we must be prepared to meet possibilities in the best manner — with the assurance of insurance. It is an excellent idea, long before summertime and vacation time, to appraise the individual insurances we carry, then ask ourselves: Is this enough life insurance, is this enough accident and health protection, should I or my family members be injured, even killed, this summer? It’s a hard question to put to ourselves — but a must question.

Members of the William Penn Fraternal Association are asked to look over their certificates at this time. If your insurance is inadequate and weak, consult a William Penn field man to advise and aid you in setting up a proper program of insurance investment and protection.

Let your summertime be your fun time, but you v/ill have more peace of mind if you and your family are sufficiently protected in the matter of William Penn fraternal insurance.

Where Do YOU Stand on Social Security?

Every payday our pay checks are a little smaller by the amount that we contribute towards “Social Security.” But, beyond a vague idea that when we retire we’ll receive a monthly income, few of us are really acquainted with the surprising variety and number of ADDITIONAL benefits that Social Security provides for us — and for our families.

For example, did you know that in addition to monthly payments at age 65, you could become entitled to full monthly payments if you become disabled before retirement age? Your wife and children under 18 are also entitled to monthly benefits when you are drawing your disability payments. If a worker passes away before retirement and is survived by children under the age of eighteen, they receive a monthly income as well as the surviving widow. Even disabled children over 18 receive benefits if their disability existed before the age of 18. In addition, a lump sum is paid to the surviving spouse of a worker to help defray the costs of burial. If no eligible surviving spouse, then the lump sum may be paid to the person or persons who paid the burial expenses.

In fact, there are many many other things that you should know about social security to be sure that you and your family enjoy its full benefits. How and when do you make a claim? What about credit for time spent in the military service? Why is it so important that your FAMILY knows your social security account number? Are your wages being credited properly in your social security account. And so on.

Workers considering retirement in the near future can help the social security office shorten the receipt of the first benefit check by “Inquiring before retiring.” This means contacting the nearest social security district office sometime before actual retirement to determine exactly what the requirements are for securing benefits.

The Social Security Administration has a number of easy-toread informational booklets on the various subjects covered by the Social Security Law. A fine way to learn about your benefits and to educate your family about social security is to get one or more of these free booklets from your nearest social security office. You’ll find the address in the telephone book under the listing, “U. S. Government.”

One especially important thing is to check whether or not your wages are being credited correctly to YOUR social security account. WAGE STATEMENT REQUEST cards may be secured by telephoning or writing to the nearest social security office. Merely enter your social security number, date of birth, name and address, and mail. In a short time, the Social Security Administration will send you a wage statement enabling you to tell readily if you’re getting full credit for your earnings. Any questions or disagreements should be brought immediately to the attention of the Social Security Administration and cleared up so that when application for benefits is made no time will be lost.

I suppose that all too many of us keep putting off the organization of our personal financial affairs — which may well result in confusion and loss of benefits to us and to our families when needed most. Why delay any longer when it is so easy to find out where you stand on this important matter? Consult your local social security office for answers to your questions.

FOR A BETTER FUTURE,

INSURE THROUGH WILLIAM PENN