Miami Citizen

William B. Weaver, manager of the Social Security administration field office of Miami, stated that although people read something about Social Security in the paper every day or so, many do not realize just what the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance program provides for.

Old-Age and Survivors Insurance is just what the name implies; it is an insurance program. It differs from private insurance in that the worker does not have a choice of beneficiaries. Upon the death of an insured worker, Social Security payments are made to certain relatives specified by law. This assures, in the usual case, that payments will go to those most likely to have suffered a financial loss through the wage earner's death.

Widows and young children generally have first priority, then dependent parents and last the person who assumes responsibility for paying burial expenses.

It is the last group, Weaver said, that seems to confuse most people. As an example Weaver told about the case of John Doe. John was a winter visitor who came to Miami every year for the winter season. He was a carpenter by trade and since he was a very likable fellow he had many friends. About six months ago John passed away and all attempts to contact a relative met with negative results.

Two of John's friends paid the funeral expenses. These men paid the funeral expenses because they believed it was their duty as friends of John's to see that he got a decent burial. They could not afford the cost of the funeral which was $300.

It was fortunate for the men that one of them happened to have been at a union meeting where a representative of the Social Security administration gave a talk explaining that when an insured worker dies and does not leave a surviving widow, minor children, or dependent parent, the person paying the funeral expenses might be entitled to the worker's Social Security Insurance.

The two friends of John's immediately filed an application for reimbursement of the funeral expenses and each received a part of his insurance.

Weaver said no one need ever lose any Social Security Insurance if they remember the following two rules: (1) Visit the Social Security administration office when you attain age 65; (2) visit the Social Security administration office upon the death of any member of the family if they worked in commerce or industry.

The Social Security administration office is located at 34 S. W. First Street, and is open daily except Saturday from 9 to 5.