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INTERNATIONAL LABOUR OFFICE

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF
SOCIAL SECURITY
Comparative Analysis and Summary of National Laws

GENEVA
1950

S T U D I E S AND

REPORTS

New Series, No. 23

PUBLISHED

B Y THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR
GENEVA,

OFFICE

SWITZERLAND

Published in the United Kingdom for the INTERNATIONAL
by Staples Press Limited, London

LABOUR

PRINTED BY " KUNDIG ", GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

OFFICE

CONTENTS
Page
INTRODUCTION

PART I
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF NATIONAL LAWS
CHAPTER I.

Scope of Social Security

Introduction
Contingencies Covered
Categories of Persons Protected
Economic and Social Categories
Nationality
Restriction to Lower Income Classes
Range of Persons Protected in Each Contingency
Condition Requiring Medical Care
Employment Injury
Sickness
Maternity
Invalidity
Old Age
Maternity
Incapacity for Work
Employment Injury
Invalidity
Sickness
Death of Breadwinner
Employment Injury
Death from Any Cause
Funeral
Unemployment
Child Maintenance
Maintenance of Community Health
Scope by Country
Summary
CHAPTER II. Definition of Contingencies and Provision of Benefits.
Maternity
Child Maintenance
Condition Requiring Medical Care
Qualifying Conditions
Medical Care in General
Sickness
Invalidity

5
5
6
10
10
11
11
12
12
12
13
15
15
16
17
17
17
18
18
19
19
19
20
20
21
21
22
26
28
28
30
31
32
32
32
32

CONTENTS
Page

Employment Injury
Maternity
Nature and Duration of Care Provided
Nature
Duration
Cost Sharing b y Beneficiary
Maintenance of Community Health
Incapacity for Work
Sickness
Definition of Contingency
Qualifying Conditions
Amount of Benefit
Duration of Benefit
Invalidity
Definition of Contingency
Qualifying Conditions
Amount of Pension
Incapacity Due to Employment Injury
Definition of Contingency
Temporary Incapacity for Work
Permanent Incapacity for Work
Unemployment
Definition of Contingency
Qualifying Period
Waiting Period
Rate of Benefit
Duration of Benefit
Old Age
Definition of Contingency
Qualifying Conditions
Amount of Pension
Funeral
Death of Breadwinner
Widow or Widower
Qualifying Conditions
Computation and Amount of Widow's Pension
Employment Injury
Any Cause, or Cause other than Employment Injury . . .
Orphans and Other Dependent Minors
Other Dependants
Supplementary Pensions from Public Funds
CHAPTER I I I .

Organisation

Principles of Organisation
Income Security
Medical Care
Administration
Right of Appeal
CHAPTER IV.

Financial

Provisions

General Sources of Revenue
Revenue Sources for Different Contingencies
Nature of Contributions

33
33
33
33
34
35
36
36
37
37
37
38
39
39
39
40
41
42
42
43
44
45
45
46
47
47
48
49
49
50
52
53
54
55
55
56
56
57
58
60
60
62

62
62
63
63
68
70

70
72
73

CONTENTS

PART II
SUMMARY OF NATIONAL LAWS
CHAPTER I. Scope of Social Security
Introduction
Synoptic Table

Page
77
77
82

CHAPTER II. Definition of Contingencies and Provision of Benefits
Introduction
Maternity
Child Maintenance
Condition Requiring Medical Care
Maintenance of Community Health
Incapacity for Work
Unemployment
Old Age
Funeral
Death of Breadwinner

97
97
100
107
110
124
126
148
153
161
168

CHAPTER I I I .

Organisation

Introduction
National Legislation
CHAPTER IV. Financial Provisions
Introduction
National Legislation

185

185
185
207
207
207

INTRODUCTION

This survey of the social security systems in the territories of
45 States Members of the International Labour Organisation is
intended to supplement the brief analysis of the law and practice
of social security which, with a questionnaire submitted to States
Members, appeared in a report x prepared for the 34th Session of
the International Labour Conference.
A social security system, for the purpose of this survey, means
a set of legal provisions creating a title to defined benefits, for
defined categories of persons, in defined contingencies. No
account is taken of legislation making employers individually
liable for the provision of benefits unless there is a guarantee of
payment of benefit, or of voluntary insurance schemes unless they
are subsidised from public funds.
The survey consists of two parts : the first part briefly reviews
and compares the main features of national systems; the second
part summarises the legislation of each country.
The first chapter of each part deals with the scope of social
security as regards both contingencies covered and persons protected. In the second part these data are presented in the form
of tables showing, for each country, the categories of persons protected, if any, in each of the 16 contingencies included in the
survey, and the principle of organisation is indicated—compulsory
social insurance (C), public service (P), social assistance (A) or
voluntary subsidised insurance (V).
The second chapter in each part defines the contingencies
covered and the benefits provided. The second chapter of Part II
is subdivided according to the main groups of contingencies included
in the survey and, within these groups, by countries; data are as
a rule confined to general schemes of social security and to special
schemes for agricultural employees or for persons working on their
own account, but are also given for any scheme which is the only
one that covers the contingency in question in the country concerned.
1

International Labour Conference, 34th Session, 1951, Report IV (1):
Objectives and Minimum Standards of Social Security (I.L.O., Geneva, 1950).

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

The third and fourth chapters in each part deal with the organisation and financing of the social security system in the countries
under review. In Part II the information for each country is
summarised under headings grouping the contingencies for which
the organisation or financial provisions, respectively, are the same.
The sources used for the summaries are such laws and regulations as were available to the International Labour Office up to
15 July 1950. As regards public services and social assistance
services providing medical care, it has not been possible, for lack
of information, to apply strictly the criterion of legal title to
benefit. Consequently some medical care services may have been
included which do not comply with this criterion, and others
excluded which do comply with it.
The terminology used in the survey has been adopted with the
object of facilitating international comparison and does not always
correspond to that used in the national laws or regulations.

PART I
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF NATIONAL LAWS

CHAPTER I

SCOPE OF SOCIAL SECURITY
INTRODUCTION

In the following pages, the scope of social security, both in
respect of contingencies covered and persons protected, is briefly
analysed under four aspects, namely—
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)

contingencies covered;
categories of persons protected;
range of persons protected in each contingency;
scope by country.

This method of presentation involves a certain amount of
repetition but gives a picture of the scope of social security from
two points of view.
The data contained in the national summaries are condensed
in tables I and II 1 so as to facilitate analysis and comparison.
Cases in which pensioners only are protected are not taken into
account, and dependants are not mentioned except as persons
protected in the event of death of the breadwinner. 2
All categories of persons within a country who are protected
against the same contingencies are grouped together, whether or
not the benefits to which they are entitled are the same: thus, for
France, all employees are treated as one category, although separate
schemes with partly different rates and conditions of benefit exist
for urban employees, agricultural employees, seafarers, miners, etc.
The following analysis is based on such information for the
45 countries under review as was available to the Office at the time
of writing, and is not necessarily complete in every case. This
reservation should be kept in mind when drawing conclusions
from the summary tables in the report.
1
2

See pp. 7-9.
For other details on the protection of pensioners, unemployed and
dependants, reference is made to the national tables on the scope of social
security.

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

CONTINGENCIES COVERED

The contingencies dealt with in this survey include maternity
(cash benefit) ; child maintenance ; condition requiring medical care,
which may have to be subdivided into sickness, invalidity, employment injury and maternity where these conditions are covered
by separate schemes; maintenance of community health, a contingency which has in recent years become a branch of some social
security systems; incapacity for work, which may have to be subdivided into sickness, invalidity and employment injury where
separate schemes exist for these forms of incapacity; unemployment; old age; funeral in case of death from any cause or from
employment injury ; and death of breadwinner from any cause or
from employment injury.
If, for the purpose of this comparison, the range of persons
protected in each contingency be disregarded, density of coverage
will be seen from table I to be the greatest for conditions requiring
medical care, for old age and for maternity: 44 of the countries
included in the survey provide medical care under insurance or
guarantee in the event of employment injury; 43 in the event of
other sickness; 42 in the case of maternity, and 39 in respect of
invalidity. Old age is covered in 42 of the countries under review.
Some maternity cash benefit is granted in 41 countries.
Incapacity for work due to a morbid condition comes next;
where due to employment injury, it is covered in 41 countries,
whether incapacity is temporary or permanent. Invalidity is
covered in 39 countries, while sickness (i.e., temporary incapacity
or incapacity of doubtful issue due to any cause, or any cause other
than employment injury) is provided for to some extent in 37 countries. Sickness coverage implies the existence of reliable medical
care facilities and supervisory services to register and certify incapacity for work and to make sure that the incapacity is genuine.
Moreover, invalidity is frequently covered along with old age,
which is deemed to be the age at which persons commonly become
incapable of efficient work.
Maternity coverage very often goes with sickness coverage but
is more extensive, since maternity benefit is granted to employees
in four countries that do not provide sickness benefit; conversely,
two countries grant sickness allowance but not maternity benefit.
The contingencies next following are death of breadwinner and
funeral: 41 among the countries under review provide survivors'

TABLE I.

NUMBER OF CASES IN WHICH EACH CATEGORY OF PERSONS IS PROTECTED IN A GIVEN CONTINGENCY

<D
O

Categories of persons protected

<V
«J

a
a
Ö
a

Condition requiring
medical care
Morbid condition
Any cause
CO

£1

a
M

'•3

O..S

C .tí

•a

3*
ci >*

Contingencies covered
Incapacity for
work
Any cause

tí

Total number of cases

t»
rt

1»
C

. . . .

Death

c
en
<u
¿4

1
Residents (R)
Nationals (N)
Residents of small means (r)
Nationals of small 1means (n)
Gainfully occupied (G)
Gainfully occupied and housewives (G+H) . . .
Urban gainfully occupied i (UG)
Employees and independent workers (E + I) . .
Employees and independent workers of small
means (E+i)
Employees and urban independent workers
(E + UI)
Employees Ü (E)
Employees oí small earnings (e)
urban employees i (UE)
Urban employees of small earnings (ue) . . .
Factory employees of small earnings (fe) . . .
Residents (Ri) or (ri) or gainfully occupied (Gi)
in limited categories or areas or covered for subcontingencies only
Employees in cenerai, or urban, or of small means
or earnings, in specified groups, areas or covered
for subcontingencies only (E* or UEi or ei) . .
Other combinations of employees and persons
working on own account (E + Ii or E + UI+AO
o r E + t orE + ao o r E i + G* orE + Gi orEi + Ii
or Ei+A(E + o»

Funeral

s r>

».S

^
a

Ö
<ü

£=
P,H

Death of
breadwinner

s
o>•
a

tat
•s.y
£3
s
s

a
H
11

3
1
3
2
3
1
2
1
12
2

1
11
2
6

10
1
3

15
2
8

1
11
3
5

1
13
2
4

1
15
1
1

21
3

13
1
3

1
12
3
4

20
3
6

1
15
1
3

23
3

1
Dependants usually protected in sickness and case of death of breadwinner. 2 Including cases where all manual employees are protected but non-manual
employees are subject to income limit.
Note. Where a contingency is covered only by voluntary insurance or social assistance, the category of persons protected by such voluntary insurance or
social assistance is included in the corresponding column. Otherwise, only the category of persons protected by compulsory insurance or a public service is included ;
if there are two or more compulsory insurance schemes or public services or both, only the scheme or service with the widest range of persons protected is included.

TABLE II.

CATEGORIES OF PERSONS PROTECTED IN EACH CONTINGENCY, BY COUNTRY
00

Condition requiring medical care
o
e
e«
e
<D

Any cause

e
'S
S
2
'3
o

u
+•>

Morbid condition

•*>

'3
Countries

Incapacity for work

in
w
V

g
ci

a
o
w

Death
<u
cm
es

eì»

co
co
Oí

•3 S
aS
^ o

H
5

<D Ö

+•>

aCD

.£•0

».a
e

•a

4-3

S
rt

Ï5.8

Ô..S

H
M

¡5

.18

D e a t h of
breadwinner

°-^
».S

Any cause

Ort

•

13
M
o

Funeral

es
o

>•
E
<

&.S

S ÖD

¡>

o
>•

Argentine
Republic
Australia .
Austria . .
Belgium .
Bolivia . .
Brazil
. .
Bulgaria .

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

E
R
E + I>
G+R'
E
UE
E + UI

—
R
E
G
•

—

—
E

Canada . . . .
Chile
Colombia . . .
Cuba

r>
E+ I
E+ i
UE

Czechoslovakia
Denmark . . .
Dominican
Republic . .
Ecuador . . .
Egypt
. . . .
Finland. . . .
France . . . .
Greece
. . . .
Guatemala . .
Haiti
Hungary . . .

G
r'

E
E

—
—
—

—

R
R
UE
G
E
E

—
—

•

—

R
G

—
—
—
E

r
R1
E + I1
E + R'
E+r
UE+r
E + UI

r
R»
E
E + R'
E+r
UE+r

r
R'+e
E + I»
E
E+r
UE+r
E

E+r
R'
E + I'
E + R"
E+r
UE+r
E + UI

R
—
r
R
E+I1 E
E + R'
E
E
—• UE
— E + UI
—

•

R'+r'
R+E+I
E+i+r
r

r1
R+E+I
E+i+r
r

UE
R+E
E+i+r
E+r

R'
—
R+E+ I R
E + i+r —
UE+r
—

—

G
ry

G
N

E
E + o'

G
r'

G
R

G
rY

E+r
E+r

—

E
E

—

E+r
E+r
e
E
E+r
UE
G+r
E
E

—

—•

E+r
UE
G+r
E+r
E

n
E+r
UE
G+r
r
E

R
E+r
UE
G+r
E+r
E

—

•

R
E

—
R

—

•

E+I
E+i
—

•

—
—

E
UE
G
E
E

E
il
e
E
E + I»
E + R' E
E
E
UE
UE
E + UI E
r1
E+I
E+i
E> +
UO>
G+ H
N

UE
E
E+i
E

E
E
r
R
E
UG
G

E
E
e
E
E
UE
G
E
E

—

•

—

r
UE
E

—
—
E

uè

—
—
—

E
E
E + 0' e'

—
—
—

NE'
e
UE

—
—

E+r
n
E
E + R'
E
UE
E + UI
+ AO
r
E+ I
E+ i
E' +
UO 1
G+H
n'
E
E
r
R
G
UG
G

—
E

E
e
—
E + I ' E + I'
E + R' E
E
E
UE
UE
E+UI E

D(E)
n
D(E)
D(E + R ' )
D(E)
D(UE)
D(E + UI)

D(E)
D(e)
D(E)
D(E)
D(E)
D(UE)
D(E)

13
15
16
16
13
13
14

<
M
Hi
O
ir)

m
O

—•
E+I
E+ i

—
G
r'
E
E

—
—

E
UE
G
E
E

UE
E
E+ i
E

—

D(UE)
D(E)
D(E + Í)
D(E)

D(E + i)
D(E' +
UO')
E
D(G)
D(E)
E + o' —
D(E + 0')
E
E
e
E
E

—
G
E
E

D(E)
D(E)
r
R
D(E)
D(UG)
D(G)

—

D(E)

D(E)
D(E)
D(e)
D(E)
D(E)
D(UE)
D(G)
D(E)
D(E)

13
13
13
11
16
14
13
13
7
13
16
13
14
10
15

r
M
Ö

Iceland . . .
India
Iran
Ireland . . .
Italy
Luxembourg
Mexico . . .
Netherlands .
New Zealand
Norway . .
Panama . .
Peru
Poland . . .
Portugal . .

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

N
fe
UME
E»
E

R
E
E + NO E
E
•E—
e
R
—
N
e+r'
E+i
—
E
—
E
E
—

•

El Salvador . . G
Sweden . . . . n
Switzerland . . R ' + R *
+r
Turkey . . . .
Union of
South Africa.
United Kingdom
United states .
Uruguay . . .
Venezuela . . .

—•
—

UE +

R+r
UE1
UE
UE

—

N
UME

N
fe
UME

E+ t

—

E+ t

—

—.

E»
E+r
e
R

e+r*
E+i+r

—
•
r

E+r
E

r
E

E+ r
e
R

E'+G'

G'+r

E' + A R' + R*
+r
(E + 0)
+r

—
R

—
UE
'

E+ t
E + ao

E+r
E
R+E
UE
r
r

N
te

—
—

N
fe
UME
E'

E+ t E+ t

E+t
E"
E+r
e
R

—
—
e

e+r*
E+i+r
e+r
E

E + ao
E + G'+r E ' + G '

+r
G+r
R

G
R

—

N
fe
UME
E»

E"
E
e
r

—

UME
E"
E
E
E
e
r

—
— e+r* —•
— E— E + i
E
—
. E
E
E
R

E'+I'

G
G+H

E'+I'

E
fe
UME

—

UME

E
E + ao uè
E
—
E
e
E
r
e
UE

—

G+r
E
UE

G+r
R

R' + R*
+r

—.

r
R
E»
r

r
R
E'
r

e+r
R
UE
r

UE+r

—

G
N+n
R'+R* n

UE» + g r

—
—
E

—
—

—
—
E

E
E
E
e+n
R+r
n
E+i
E
E

—

E'+I'

—

G
E*
UE+n UE'

G
N+n
R+r

—

UE
n
R+r

E+t

E + ao

+r
G+r
N
n

G
E

E
E
e

UME

—

E
UE

E+i
e
E

—
—

e+r»

—

D(E') + r
D(E)
E + ao D(E)
E
D(E)
E
D(e)

—
E

—
—

D(E)
D(fe)
D(UME)

—

D(E)
D(E+ao)
D(E)
D(E)
D(E)
D(UE)

—

D(E)
—
E + ao D(E)
D(E + ao)
E
D(E' + I') D(E)
D(G)

13
3
11

13
15
13
lo
13
12
8
10
13
14

n
R+r

13
14
14

¡3

D(UE)

en
O

—

D(e)
D(E)
D(UE)+r D(UE)
D(E)
—
D(UE)

9
15
12
10
9

—

+r
UE

—

r
R

— —

—

—
r

— UE'+r
— —
UE

E'+r

G+r

e
E
UE

e'
E+r

—
UE

UE+r UE+r
E+r

~~" ~~

—

•

—
UE

D(G)
D(E)
D(UE)

G
E
UE

—
UE
—
~

R+r

Explanations of Signs
t: share and tenant farmers
R : residents
I: independent workers
r:
residents of small or of insufficient private means
i: independent workers of small means
N: nationals or national residents
n:
nationals of small or of insufficient private means
0: persons working on own account
G: gainfully occupied
o: persons working on own account of small means
g:
gainfully occupied of small or of insufficient means
': sections of a given category of persons or limited contingency
E : employees
' : category of persons who can insure voluntarily
e:
employees of small earnings or means
H : housewives
UE: urban employees
E": manual employees, but non-manual employees of small earnings only
ue: urban employees of small earnings or means
U or u: urban
ME: manual employees
A or a: agricultural
D : dependants of category of persons shown in brackets
fe : factory employees of small earnings
Note. Pensioners and unemployed are not included in table II, and dependants are included only in columns 16 and 17. Members of producers'
co-operatives are included under E in Bolivia, Bulgaria and Mexico; workers in family employment under G in Czechoslovakia.

O
•ti

¡>

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

benefits where death is due to employment injury, and 36 in other
cases of death or in all cases. A funeral benefit is granted in
36 countries in respect of death due to employment injury, and in
29 in respect of death due to other causes or to any cause.
Provision for unemployment presupposes the existence of a
well-developed employment service permitting of the registration
and certification of unemployment. Up to the present only
24 countries, chiefly in Europe or the British Commonwealth, have
established unemployment insurance or assistance.
Child maintenance is covered in 23 of the countries included
in the survey; it obtains only in European countries and in the
British Dominions, except for two Latin American States (Uruguay
and—potentially—El Salvador).
Maintenance of community health is as a rule the task of the
public health services, but 19 of the countries included in the survey
provide some general health care, such as maternity and child
welfare or measures for the prevention of social disease among the
population protected by social security, under social security
schemes covering other contingencies.

CATEGORIES OF PERSONS PROTECTED

The range of persons protected in the various contingencies,
as will be seen more particularly from table II, differs widely from
country to country: thus, the whole population is protected in
conditions requiring medical care in New Zealand and the United
Kingdom, while factory employees of small earnings only are, or
will be shortly, covered in India, which has just begun to introduce
social security.
Economic and Social Categories
The over-all density of protection is greatest for employees
who are at least partly covered in all cases (576). Employees only
are protected in 210 cases. In some 140 cases, only urban employees
or other limited groups of employees are covered.
Employees or their dependants are, as is to be expected, most
frequently protected in case of employment injury (table I,
columns 6, 11, 15 and 17).
Next in order of protection by countries and contingencies
come all residents (44). In fact the extension, or the proposed

SCOPE OF SOCIAL SECURITY

extension, of social security protection to the whole population has
made such strides in recent years that the total coverage for
residents may well be greater by now than that for employees
only.
While a number of countries strive to extend social security
protection to the whole population, others deem it appropriate to
cover only those engaged in a gainful or productive activity and
their dependants. The latter trend is apparent in Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Guatemala and El Salvador which account for most of the
scores in the " gainfully occupied " columns (43).
Independent workers, that is, persons working on their own
account who do not as a rule employ others on a large scale, or at
least independent workers of small means, are not infrequently
protected along with employees, especially in Latin America.
Pensioners and unemployed, who are not included in tables I
and II, but are included in the national summaries, are frequently
entitled to medical care and funeral benefits.
Dependants, included only as persons protected in case of
death of the breadwinner in tables I and II, also receive medical
care in a large number of countries, but only maternity care in a
number of Latin American States.
Nationality
A number of countries still restrict benefits in some or all contingencies to their citizens. This restriction was applied particularly in Northern Europe, but Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway
and Sweden have recently adopted a convention under which each
ratifying country grants old-age pensions to the citizens of the other
ratifying countries on the same terms as apply to its own citizens,
provided they have a minimum period of residence.
Australia confines long-term benefits to nationals of small
means, Bulgaria, Egypt and Turkey grant certain benefits to aliens
on the basis of reciprocity only, and a number of other countries
have more stringent residential conditions for non-citizens.
Restriction to Lower Income Classes
Income limits for social security protection have been abolished
in many countries, but a considerable number of social security
schemes are still limited to the lower or middle income classes of
employees or of independent workers. In other cases an income
2

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

limit sometimes applies to non-manual employees but not to
manual employees. Moreover, social assistance under which
benefits are granted only to persons who, during the contingency,
are not in possession of sufficient private means to maintain themselves has been adopted as the vehicle of social security in New
Zealand for sickness, invalidity, unemployment and death of
breadwinner, and in Australia for the same contingencies and old
age.

RANGE OF PERSONS PROTECTED IN EACH CONTINGENCY

An a t t e m p t may now be made, with the aid of table II, to gauge
the density of coverage of both contingencies and persons, proceeding by contingencies in order of coverage.
Condition Requiring

Medical Care

A number of countries, such as Australia, Chile, Iceland,
New Zealand and the United Kingdom, furnish (or will furnish
under recently enacted provisions) medical care in any condition
requiring such care, under a national health service covering the
whole population. In these cases no distinction need be made
between sickness, invalidity, employment injury l and maternity.
In other countries, however, medical care is provided under a
variety of schemes which' may or may not have the same range
of persons protected and cover sickness, invalidity, employment
injury or maternity or any two or three of these combined.
Employment

Injury.

Employment injury is a contingency covered in 44 of the
countries under review, so far as medical care is concerned. In
those countries which do not have a special employment injury
scheme, medical care is generally available in any condition requiring care, at least to persons of insufficient means 2 ; such is the case,
for instance, in Panama, Peru and Uruguay, under social assistance.
Special employment injury schemes, however, still exist in the
majority of European and Latin American States. They apply to
1
Australia and New Zealand also have limited employment injuryinsurance provision for medical care.
2
Some medical care may also be provided under employers' individual
liability schemes which are not covered by this report.

SCOPE OF SOCIAL SECURITY

practically all employees, agricultural and urban, without an
income limit—except sometimes for salaried employees—in Austria,
Belgium, Bulgaria, Chile, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Ecuador,
Finland, France, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands,
Poland, Portugal and Sweden. Urban 1 employees are covered in
Brazil, Canada, Greece, Iran (manual only), Norway, Switzerland,
Turkey, the United States and Venezuela, and employees of small
earnings only in Egypt and the Union of South Africa. India is
about to introduce employment injury insurance for factory
employees of small earnings. In Bolivia, the Dominican Republic,
Haiti and Mexico, insurance against employment injury will
eventually apply to all employees; in Colombia, to employees and
independent workers of small means, and in El Salvador and
Guatemala, to all persons who are gainfully occupied; but the
present scope of insurance in these countries is still limited to urban
employees or specific industries or areas, or both.
Sickness.
Sickness, as a condition requiring medical care, is covered, in the
vast majority of countries, either by sickness schemes or by general
medical care services. Moreover, of the two countries where it is
not provided for under a system dealt with in this survey, one
(Egypt) has a public hospital service providing care to the poor,
and the other (Finland) appears to make care available at reduced
fees through county medical officers.
However, the range of persons protected in the event of sickness
as a condition requiring medical care varies widely. The whole
population is covered by the public hospital service in Chile, except
for insured manual employees and independent workers, who are
cared for by or at the expense of the insurance scheme, and by a
public medical care service in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. In Australia the National Health Service Act, when applied,
will also cover all residents ; at present, hospital care and pharmaceutical benefits only are provided. Such countries as Bulgaria,
Czechoslovakia, Guatemala and El Salvador protect, or will
shortly protect, all gainfully occupied persons and their families in
the event of a condition requiring medical care. Iceland has
compulsory sickness insurance for all citizens. Sweden will
include all residents under its new compulsory sickness insurance
scheme which is due to come into force in 1951, and plans to
1
The term " urban " is here used for employees not engaged in agricultural work; it includes employees in transport and, sometimes, in forestry.

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

introduce a public hospital service ; at present sickness insurance is
voluntary, but district doctors receiving a salary are available to
the whole population at moderate fees, which in the case of indigents
are paid by the community, and in the case of insured persons by
the sick funds. The majority of the other countries included in
the survey furnish medical care, or will shortly do so under recently
enacted provisions, to employees under sickness insurance, and to
persons of insufficient means under social assistance schemes; this
group includes Austria, Bolivia, Colombia, the Dominican Republic,
Ecuador, France, Haiti, Hungary, Italy, Mexico, Panama, and to
some extent Portugal. Colombia and Panama cover or will cover
also independent workers of small means. Ireland and Luxembourg have an income limit for non-manual employees. Again,
there are countries, such as Brazil, Greece, Iran and Venezuela,
which cover only urban employees, apart from social assistance.
The Netherlands and Norway insure employees of small or
limited earnings against sickness. Belgium has voluntary insurance
available to all residents and compulsory insurance for all employees. In Switzerland sickness insurance providing medical care
is compulso^/ in two cantons for all residents of most municipalities,
and in nine cantons for all residents of small means or for such
residents in certain municipalities, while voluntary subsidised
insurance is available to all residents. At present some 46 per
cent, of the population are covered for medical care. Denmark's
voluntary subsidised insurance for residents of small means covers
the vast majority of the population. India is making a start with
sickness insurance for factory employees of small earnings. Canada
has two provincial hospital schemes for all residents; a number of
provinces provide free treatment for persons suffering from tuberculosis and mental diseases, and various municipalities have
arrangements for employing a doctor who attends all inhabitants
in return for a salary. In the United States, seafarers obtain care
under social security from the United States Public Health Service.
It should be added that a number of countries not included in
this survey are organising medical care either on the basis of a
public service or of social assistance or both, for the entire population, or at least the poor. Thus, in Ceylon a network of hospitals
and dispensaries provide out-patient treatment free of charge,
and in-patient care in public wards free of charge to those persons
whose incomes do not exceed a prescribed limit; persons with
incomes above the limit are charged a very low fee. The department which is responsible for medical care is also in charge

SCOPE OF SOCIAL SECURITY

of general health care and environmental hygiene. In Malaya
also medical care is available free in out-patient departments of
hospitals and dispensaries to the whole population, except t h a t
workers on estates receive care in some cases at the plantation.
For in-patient care in public wards, employers pay a fee towards
the hospitalisation of their workers; otherwise it is left to the
medical officer in charge to decide whether or not the patient can
pay. Singapore provides out-patient treatment free, but expects a
voluntary contribution from in-patients. The Indian provinces
are developing public medical care services combined with social
assistance on the lines of the report of a Commission set up by the
Government, which recommended the gradual introduction of a
complete public medical care service based on hospitals and health
centres. Other countries are making similar efforts to extend
their medical facilities; the greatest bottleneck is the scarcity of
doctors and other health personnel.
Maternity.
All but three countries cover this contingency for medical care,
the range of persons protected being generally the same as for
sickness medical care services, except in Ireland, where the sickness
insurance scheme does not provide maternity care, though it is
planned to introduce free medical care for mothers and babies as a
public service. In the Argentine Republic maternity care is
granted to employed women under an insurance scheme, while
medical care otherwise is available only under social assistance.
In Canada (British Columbia and Saskatchewan), hospital services
include maternity care. In Finland, health centres providing care
to mothers and babies are being set up all over the country. The
Asian countries developing medical care services pay special
attention to mothers and infants.
Invalidity.
In a considerable proportion of cases of invalidity, principally
those due to traumatic injury, the need for medical care has ceased
to exist when the invalidity pension is awarded. In those cases,
such as tuberculosis, where the need for care persists, the invalid
is often no longer a person gainfully occupied or employed but an
invalidity pensioner who, as such, is frequently entitled to care
either under the invalidity or under the sickness scheme, or under
a general medical care service. Where such a general service
exists, invalids not in receipt of pensions also may receive care,

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

for instance in Chile, Iceland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Social assistance medical care services are available to the
needy invalid in practically all other countries. The future Australian and Swedish services will no doubt also provide care for
invalids.
Under a number of invalidity insurance schemes, however, care
is also provided to insured persons not in receipt of pensions, in
order to prevent invalidity.
Old Age
The total range of persons protected in old age may well be
larger than for any other contingency. All residents are protected
in Finland, New Zealand (age 65), Switzerland and the United
Kingdom, and all citizens in Iceland and Sweden ; these countries
account for some 67 million x people protected. All, or nearly
all, those gainfully occupied are or will shortly be insured against
old age in Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, France, Guatemala and El
Salvador; t h e gainfully occupied population in these countries
number some 30 million. 2 In the Argentine Republic, Canada,
Egypt, Ireland, New Zealand (age 60), Switzerland, the United
States and Uruguay, all residents of insufficient private means
are entitled to old-age assistance when they reach pensionable age, and so are all citizens of insufficient private means in
Australia, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway and the Union of
South Africa. Some of these countries, such as Australia and New
Zealand, make fairly liberal allowance for additional private
income. Among the countries with social assistance schemes for
the aged, t h e Argentine Republic, the Netherlands and Uruguay
also have compulsory old-age insurance for employees in general
(subject to an income limit in the Netherlands), and the United
States for urban employees. Employees and all independent
workers are protected by old-age insurance in Chile, all employees
and also independent workers of small means will eventually be
insured in Colombia, and some groups of employees and urban
independent workers are covered in Cuba. Panama also provides
for aged employees and independent workers of small means.
Old-age insurance legislation covers or will cover employees only
1

STATISTICAL OFFICE OF THE UNITED NATIONS: Monthly Bulletin of
Statistics.
2
I.L.O.: Year Book of Labour Statistics, 1947-48 (Geneva, 1949). For
Guatemala and El Salvador 50 per cent, of the population is assumed to be
gainfully occupied.

SCOPE OF SOCIAL SECURITY

in Austria, Bolivia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Hungary,
Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, Peru and Poland; urban employees
in Brazil, Iran and Turkey; and certain occupations in Portugal.
Maternity
A number of maternity schemes apply to the whole or to the
major part of the population and provide grants to assist families
in defraying the expenses incurred in connection with childbirth,
while others provide for cash allowances during abstention from
work due to maternity of employed or gainfully occupied women,
or provide both general grants and maternity allowances.
The group providing general grants includes Australia, France,
Iceland and the United Kingdom; in Czechoslovakia all gainfully
occupied persons are or will be entitled to a maternity grant.
Czechoslovakia and France also provide maternity allowances to
employees. In Luxembourg a maternity grant is made to all
employees, and to other persons gainfully occupied if they are
citizens, and maternity benefit is available to all manual employees
and to non-manual employees of small earnings.
In the other countries which grant maternity allowances before
and after childbirth to employees, or to the gainfully occupied,
the range of persons protected is the same as for sickness, with
which it is normally combined under one scheme, except that Cuba
and Panama have maternity but not sickness benefit.
Incapacity for Work
Employment Injury.
In 25 of the 41 countries covering incapacity due to employment
injury, all employees are specially protected in this contingency;
moreover, Denmark admits persons of small means working on
their own account as voluntary members; Luxembourg covers
farmers and the members of their families working with them;
Guatemala will eventually cover all gainfully occupied persons but
at present only urban employees are insured against both employment injury and other injury due to accident. Colombia will also
insure independent workers of small means against employment
injury. Austria covers certain groups of independent workers in
addition to employees.
In eight of the countries included, urban employees only are
protected by social security in case of employment injury, and

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

in India factory employees only are protected, but the Indian law
provides for the gradual extension of insurance to all employees.
Three countries insure employees of small earnings only. The provision of an income limit for employment injury insurance is thus
the exception rather than the rule.
Invalidity.
Countries providing for invalidity fall into four classes:
(1) those with compulsory insurance schemes or a public service
for the whole population or all citizens (Denmark, Finland, Iceland
and Sweden);
(2) those providing invalidity pensions to all residents or
citizens of small means (Australia, Egypt and New Zealand);
(3) those with compulsory insurance for all gainfully occupied
persons or at least for employees and all or some groups of independent workers (Bulgaria, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Czechoslovakia,
Guatemala, El Salvador and the United Kingdom); and
(4) those with compulsory insurance schemes for all or for
certain classes of employees, such insurance being sometimes
supplemented by voluntary insurance for all residents (the Argentine Republic, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, the Dominican Republic,
Ecuador, France, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, Mexico, Peru,
Poland, Portugal and Uruguay; the Netherlands (employees of
small earnings); and Brazil and Iran (urban and urban manual
employees)). In the United States railwaymen are covered.
No provision has as yet been made for invalidity in Canada
(except for blindness), India, Norway, Turkey, the Union of
South Africa and Venezuela.
Sickness.
Loss of earnings or income of any citizen capable of work is
compensated in Iceland, whereas in Australia and in New Zealand
only residents whose private means are insufficient to support
them are granted benefit in case of sickness. In Denmark and
Norway, residents of small means may insure voluntarily, but in
Norway employees of small means are compulsorily insured.
In Belgium and Switzerland all residents may insure voluntarily,
but in Belgium all employees, and in some parts of Switzerland all
residents, or all residents of small means, are compulsorily
insured.

SCOPE OF SOCIAL SECURITY

All gainfully occupied persons are compulsorily insured against
sickness in Czechoslovakia and in the United Kingdom, and will
be so under the new laws in Guatemala and El Salvador; in Sweden
residents of this group and housewives will be compulsorily covered
when the new social security system comes into force ; Chile covers
employees and independent workers; Bulgaria employees and
urban independent workers ; Italy employees and share and tenant
farmers ; and Colombia employees as well as independent workers
of small means.
All other countries insure only employees or urban employees
against incapacity for work due to sickness other than employment
injury. Income limits apply in the Netherlands and Norway to
all employees, and in Ireland and Luxembourg to non-manual
employees. In the United States cash benefit is granted to urban
employees in a few States, and also to railway employees in general,
while medical care is available only to seafarers.
Death of Breadwinner
Employment Injury.
The range of persons covered in the event of death due to
employment injury is of course the same as for incapacity for work
due to employment injury. The four countries which do not cover
death due to employment injury by compulsory insurance or by
a guarantee have nevertheless employers' liability schemes.
Death from Any Cause.
Survivors' pensions in the event of death of the breadwinner
not due to employment injury are usually paid to the widows and
orphans, or to the widows only, of the persons protected under
the old-age scheme of the country, except that in France old-age
insurance extends to all gainfully occupied persons, whereas
widows' pensions are granted to the invalid widows of employees
and the widows of pensioners only. In Australia, Canada, Egypt
and New Zealand, widows' pensions are paid to resident widows
or mothers of insufficient means in their own right.
No survivors' pensions are provided for in Chile, Denmark,
Haiti, India, Iran, Norway, Panama and the Union of South
Africa, although these countries except Haiti have old-age pensions.
Venezuela has not yet been able to introduce either old-age or
survivors' benefits.

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

Funeral
Although funeral benefit is a minor benefit compared with
most of the other benefits, funeral expenses, especially of a breadwinner, are often a heavy burden on a family or heirs who depended
on the earnings of the deceased. Moreover, the payment of pensions,
which are necessarily lower than former earnings, is not usually
sufficient to compensate for the extra charges involved.
This contingency, too, is more frequently covered by social
security in cases where death is due to employment injury than
in other cases. Of the 45 countries under review, 36 provide
funeral benefit in case of death due to employment injury, while
only 29 countries grant funeral benefit in case of death not due to
employment injury or death from any cause, either under sickness
or under survivors' schemes. The range of persons covered is
accordingly either the same as for sickness or the same as for
death of breadwinner.
Unemployment
Relatively few countries have so far been able or willing to
introduce unemployment coverage, since it implies the existence
of an employment service permitting of the registration and
certification of unemployment, without which a distinction between
voluntary and involuntary unemployment is not possible.
Nevertheless, 25 countries among the 45 under review have
by now established unemployment insurance or assistance schemes,
or have passed laws providing for their introduction. While Australia and New Zealand grant unemployment benefit to any resident seeking employment whose means do not exceed a prescribed
limit at the time of the contingency, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Italy, Poland, the United Kingdom and Uruguay have
compulsory unemployment insurance for all or most employees;
the Netherlands and Norway for employees of limited earnings;
Austria, Greece, Ireland, Switzerland and the United States for
all or most urban employees, and Canada for urban employees of
limited means. Unemployment benefit is granted to employees of
small private means in France and to urban employees of this
category in Luxembourg. In Denmark, Finland and Sweden,
unemployment insurance is voluntary. Employees of small
earnings, with the exception of some classes of Natives, are covered
in the Union of South Africa.

SCOPE OF SOCIAL SECURITY

Child Maintenance
Children's allowances are a comparatively recent development,
although employers in Belgium and France used to pay family
allowances before child maintenance was covered by social security.
The coverage of child maintenance has made very rapid progress
in recent years, especially in those parts of the world which have
suffered a decline in the birth rate. Thus 21 countries in Europe
or the British Commonwealth and two Latin American countries
have established family allowance systems, mostly during or after
the second world war. The range of persons protected is extensive :
all residents or citizens are entitled to children's allowances in
respect of all or some children in Australia, Canada, Finland,
Iceland, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden and the United
Kingdom. All gainfully occupied persons are covered in Belgium
and France, and will be covered in El Salvador. Employees only
are granted children's allowances in Austria, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland
and in some Swiss cantons. Switzerland also temporarily provides
family allowances under a Federal scheme to agricultural employees
and farmers in mountain regions. Urban employees are covered
in Uruguay.
In the Asian countries generally the demographic outlook is
not such as to call for the introduction of family allowances, but
schemes to provide meals and other benefits in kind to children
are considered highly beneficial.
Maintenance of Community Health
As already stated, general health services, such as maternity
and child welfare, services for the prevention of social or infectious
diseases, health education, preventive examinations and the like,
are usually provided through the so-called public health services
and not under social security systems. In recent years, however,
a number of countries have included general health care among
the benefits provided by their social security institutions, since the
importance of preventive health services for all branches of social
security dealing with morbid conditions and their consequences
has been increasingly realised. Of the 45 countries under review,
19 make legal provision for some general health care for the persons
protected by the social security system or their sickness schemes.
The proper co-ordination of medical care and general health care,

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

however, calls for an integration of all health services and an
over-all health policy, a fact which is being recognised in all countries.
SCOPE BY COUNTRY

Finally, the density of coverage in each of the countries included
in this survey may be briefly considered. For this purpose maintenance of community health, which is not generally covered by
social security, and funeral, which is of minor importance, are
disregarded.
Countries Protecting Residents.
The list is headed, at the present moment, by the United Kingdom,
in which the whole population, or all those exposed to the contingency,
are protected in all contingencies.
Iceland protects all citizens in all contingencies except unemployment.
Sweden grants family allowances to all qualified residents and,
when its new social security system has come into force, will protect
all residents in case of a condition requiring medical care. All citizens
are protected in invalidity and old age, and citizens of small means in
case of maternity and death of breadwinner; sickness cash benefit will
be granted to residents gainfully occupied and housewives; insurance
against unemployment is still voluntary; employment injury insurance
covers all employees.
New Zealand, which pays no maternity cash benefit, provides sickness, invalidity, unemployment and survivors' benefits and old-age
pensions at age 60 to residents of insufficient private means. Child
maintenance, condition requiring medical care and old age (65) are
covered for the whole population under public services, while employment injury insurance covers all employees.
Australia, once its national health service has been introduced, will
cover the whole population in respect of conditions requiring medical
care ; at present only hospital and pharmaceutical benefits are available
free to all residents. Sickness and unemployment benefit are provided
for residents of insufficient private means; invalidity, old-age and survivors' pensions for such residents if they are British, and employment
injury benefit for employees of small earnings and their survivors.
Child maintenance and maternity benefits are due to all residents who
qualify, without means test.
Switzerland has compulsory old-age and survivors' insurance for the
whole population, but its sickness and maternity insurance is compulsory
only for residents or for those of small means in a certain number of
cantons and municipalities. Employment injury insurance covers certain
groups of non-agricultural employees. Urban employees are also compulsorily insured against unemployment in 16 cantons and 54 municipalities. Child maintenance is provided for, so far as employees are
concerned, in five cantons, while agricultural employees generally and
farmers in mountain regions receive Federal allowances if they are not
protected by a cantonal scheme.

SCOPE OF SOCIAL SECURITY

Finland provides maternity grants, family allowances and invalidity,
old-age and survivors' pensions for all residents and has introduced
compulsory employment injury and voluntary unemployment insurance.
There is no sickness insurance. Maternity and infant care are made
available as far as possible to all mothers at health centres.
In Denmark all citizens are compulsorily insured against invalidity
but not against death of breadwinner. Residents of small income can
insure voluntarily against maternity and sickness, and the vast majority
are actually so insured; all other residents must be passive members of
sickness funds and pay a token contribution, which entitles them to
become active members entitled to benefit at any time when their
income is below the limit. Citizens of small means are entitled to old-age
pensions if they are members of sickness funds. Compulsory employment injury insurance covers all employees; employees of small earnings
can insure voluntarily against unemployment under a subsidised scheme.
Canada pays family allowances to all residents who qualify. Two
provinces (British Columbia and Saskatchewan) and some local areas
have hospital services, while a few others have general medical care or
maternity hospital services. Old-age assistance is granted to needy
citizens. All or most urban employees are compulsorily insured against
employment injury under provincial laws, and urban employees are
insured against unemployment under a Federal scheme, subject to an
income limit. Maternity and survivors' assistance are available in a
number of provinces.
The Union of South Africa is introducing hospital services for
persons of small income and has employment injury and unemployment
insurance for employees of small means. Citizens of small means
receive old-age pensions under social assistance.
Countries Protecting Workers.
El Salvador will protect all gainfully occupied persons and their
dependants when its new law comes into force.
Czechoslovakia, when its national insurance scheme comes into full
operation, will protect all gainfully occupied persons and their families
in all contingencies, except that employment injury and unemployment
insurance cover employees only, and they alone are entitled to family
allowances.
France protects employees in all contingencies and is extending
protection in respect of child maintenance and old age to other persons
gainfully occupied. The whole resident population is entitled to maternity grants.
Belgium also protects employees in all contingencies and provides
children's allowances and a maternity grant for the gainfully occupied.
Moreover, any resident may insure voluntarily against any contingencies in which he is not compulsorily insured.
Bulgaria protects employees, members of producers' co-operatives
and urban independent workers in a number of occupations or professions
against the majority of contingencies, and farmers against old age.
Italy protects all employees, and their dependants where relevant,
against all contingencies, and share and tenant farmers in conditions
requiring medical care, sickness and incapacity due to employment
injury.

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

Austria insures all employees against all contingencies except that
agricultural workers are excluded from compulsory unemployment
coverage. Various groups of independent workers are entitled to medical
care in case of sickness and maternity, and to maternity cash benefit,
and some categories are liable to insurance against work injuries. Dependants of insured persons receive the corresponding benefits.
Poland covers all contingencies for employees. Farmers are insured
in case of work injury. Dependants of employees are protected where
relevant.
In Luxembourg employees are protected against every contingency,
and every gainfully occupied citizen is entitled to a birth grant. There
is no income limit for manual employees, but only non-manual employees
of limited earnings are covered by the sickness and maternity insurance
scheme. Farmers are insured against work injuries.
The Netherlands, though covering all contingencies, limits protection
to employees of small earnings except in respect of child maintenance
and employment injury. 1 Old-age assistance is available to all nationals
of small means.
Hungary insures employees against all contingencies except unemployment, and their dependants where appropriate.
Guatemala will, when its new law is fully applied, insure gainfully
occupied persons against all contingencies except child maintenance
and unemployment. At the present moment urban employees are
insured against both employment injury and other injury resulting from
accidents.
In Colombia the law covers employees and independent workers of
small earnings in all contingencies except child maintenance and unemployment.
Greece protects urban employees against all contingencies except
child maintenance, and other urban gainfully occupied persons against
invalidity, old age and death.
In a number of Latin American countries, including Bolivia, the
Dominican Republic, Ecuador and Mexico, all employees are protected,
or will be protected when the relevant legislation is applied, in contingencies other than child maintenance and unemployment.
Chile has a public medical care service based on hospitals, but has
not survivors' or unemployment insurance or family allowances. Both
employees and independent workers are protected against all other
contingencies. Manual workers have more extensive rights than nonmanual workers.
Uruguay insures all employees against invalidity, old age, death and,
to a limited extent, unemployment, and urban employees against
maternity and family charges. A medical care service covers the
whole population of small means.
The Argentine Republic insures employees against contingencies
other than child maintenance, sickness and unemployment. Medical
care is granted under the social service, except for maternity care to
insured employees.
1
An Act of 17 March 1949 provides for the establishment of a pensions
fund in any branch of industry for all persons engaged therein, membership
of which may be declared compulsory.

SCOPE OF SOCIAL SECURITY

In Peru employees are compulsorily insured against maternity,
sickness, invalidity, old age and death of breadwinner. Medical care
is available under social assistance to those not protected by social
insurance.
In Cuba a number of schemes covering invalidity, old age and death
of breadwinner apply to all persons employed in various branches of
economic activity and in certain liberal professions. All employees are
covered in respect of employment injury. Maternity insurance exists
for urban employees. Medical care is available to persons of small
means.
In Brazil urban employees only are insured in respect of contingencies
other than child maintenance and unemployment.
Turkey has introduced maternity, sickness, employment injury, oldage and survivors' insurance for urban employees.
Egypt has employment injury insurance for employees of small
earnings, and invalidity, old-age and survivors' assistance will soon be
available to all residents of insufficient means.
Panama combines old-age and invalidity insurance for employees
and for independent workers of small means with maternity insurance
and provision of medical care in case of sickness and maternity for the
same groups of persons.
Haiti will protect employees in maternity, sickness and employment
injury when its new law comes into force.
India is introducing maternity, sickness and employment injury
insurance for factory workers of small earnings.
In Iran manual urban employees are insured in respect of maternity
and employment injury, when the new law comes into force, they will
also be insured against sickness, invalidity and old age.
Venezuela protects urban employees in respect of maternity, sickness
and employment injury.
Other countries have systems with widely differing ranges of
persons protected in the various contingencies covered.
In the United States, old-age, survivors' and unemployment insurance
cover practically all urban employees. A public medical care service
exists for seafarers, sickness and invalidity cash benefit insurance for
railway employees in general and sickness cash benefit insurance for
urban employees in four States. Employment injury insurance exists
for most urban employees in all States. Social assistance is available
on a large scale to needy persons not otherwise protected.
Norway insures employees of small means against sickness, maternity
and unemployment and urban employees against employment injury.
All citizens, however, receive family allowances and those of small
means receive old-age pensions. Voluntary sickness and maternity
insurance are open to all residents.
Ireland protects manual employees, and non-manual employees of
small means, in the event of maternity, sickness, invalidity and death of
breadwinner, and urban employees in case of unemployment. All

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

qualified residents receive family allowances; residents of insufficient
private means receive old-age and survivors' pensions.
Portugal insures all employees against employment injury, employees
and independent workers in certain occupations against sickness,
invalidity, old age and death of breadwinner, and urban employees in
respect of child maintenance. Fishermen receive children's allowances
and medical care.

SUMMARY

The scope of social security laws in the 45 countries under
review, if scope be taken to mean the two-dimensional coverage
of both contingencies and persons, is fairly dense in the dimension
of contingencies; out of 720 possible cases, 576 (80 per cent.) are
covered at least to some extent. In the dimension of persons
protected, the density varies from the protection of the whole
population or all gainfully occupied persons or their families against
all contingencies to which they are exposed, to the insurance of
factory employees of small means against maternity, sickness and
employment injury only.
The countries covered by this survey fall into three main
groups :
(1) countries that protect or tend to protect all residents exposed
to the contingencies covered, or at least all residents of small means
(Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the Union
of South Africa);
(2) countries t h a t strive to protect primarily those gainfully
occupied, or otherwise working for the benefit of the community,
and their dependants (Belgium, Bulgaria, Chile, Czechoslovakia,
France, Guatemala and El Salvador);
(3) countries protecting or endeavouring to protect, in the
first instance, employees or at least urban employees (Austria,
Greece, Haiti, Hungary, Ireland, Iran, Italy, Luxembourg, the
majority of the Latin American countries, the Netherlands, Poland,
Portugal, the United States and Turkey).
The extent to which the whole population of the countries
covering a specified contingency is protected, otherwise than by
social assistance, may be gauged from table III, which shows
what percentage of such countries cover all residents or at least
all nationals.

SCOPE OF SOCIAL SECURITY
CABLE III.

PERCENTAGE OF CASES IN WHICH COVERAGE EXTENDS
TO ALL RESIDENTS OR ALL NATIONALS

Contingency

Maintenance of community health . .
Child maintenance
Invalidity (condition requiring medical
care)
Maternity (condition requiring medical
care)
Old age
Maternity (cash benefit)
Sickness (condition requiring medical
care)
Death of breadwinner (any cause) . .
Invalidity (incapacity for work) . . .
Employment injury (condition requiring
medical care)
Sickness (incapacity for work)
. . . .
Funeral (any cause)
Unemployment
Employment injury (incapacity for
work)
Employment injury (funeral)
Employment injury (death of breadwinner)
All contingencies

Number of Number
Column 3
as percountries protecting
centage of
covering
all
contingency residents or column 2
nationals
19
23

10
9

53
39
15

39
42
42
41

6
6
5

14
14
12

43
36
39

5
4
4

12
11
10

44
37
29
24

4
1
1

9
3
3
Nil

41
36

Nil
Nil

Nil

576

The percentage of cases covering the whole population is seen
to be higher for contingencies that do not involve, as such, abstention from paid work or inability to find work, namely, maintenance
of community health, child maintenance, condition requiring
medical care, old age, and maternity. These contingencies can
be easily verified and provision for them is of immediate concern
to the community. It is also these contingencies which are more
frequently financed by the community under a public service or
social assistance.

CHAPTER II
DEFINITION OF CONTINGENCIES AND PROVISION
OF BENEFITS
MATERNITY

Three main kinds of benefit are granted by maternity benefit
schemes: (1) a maternity grant on the birth of a child, designed
to assist the parents in meeting the extra costs involved; (2) a
maternity allowance payable to female employees over a period
before and after childbirth during abstention from work, in order
to compensate for loss of earnings; and (3) a nursing allowance,
usually payable only to employees, and conditional on the feeding
of the child at the breast.
Maternity grants on the birth of a child are payable to all
women who are residents or nationals in Australia, Finland, France,
Iceland, Sweden and the United Kingdom; to all women gainfully
occupied in Belgium, Luxembourg and in Czechoslovakia, where
dependants are also entitled to this benefit, and to residents who
are insured against sickness in Switzerland.
A maternity allowance to replace earnings is granted to female
employees or sometimes to all women gainfully occupied in the
majority of countries providing maternity benefit. Uruguay makes
a grant only to employees and Ireland to employees and their
wives. While Iceland and Luxembourg provide both grants under
general schemes and maternity allowances for female employees,
the Argentine Republic, Belgium, Czechoslovakia and the Netherlands pay a grant and an allowance to employed women only.
In France a female employee, and in the United Kingdom a gainfully occupied woman, receive both the grant due to all residents
and a maternity allowance during abstention from paid work.
The maternity allowance for female employees is frequently
supplemented by nursing benefit. This is the case in Bolivia, Chile,
Colombia, the Dominican Republic, France, Greece, Guatemala, Luxembourg, Mexico, Peru, Poland, El Salvador and
Turkey. In Switzerland, any resident woman insured against

DEFINITION OF CONTINGENCIES AND BENEFITS

sickness receives both an allowance and a nursing grant. In the
United Kingdom the grant due to any woman on the birth of a
child is supplemented by an allowance payable for four weeks
after confinement if either the mother or the father is insured;
gainfully occupied women are entitled to a maternity allowance
during abstention from gainful work for 13 weeks.
In Bulgaria all three types of benefit are provided for employed
women: a grant of 10 times the daily basic earnings, an allowance
of 100 per cent, of earnings payable for three months, and a nursing
allowance of 20 per cent, of earnings payable during six months.
All three types of benefit are also provided in Austria and Hungary.
Qualifying conditions for maternity grants payable on birth
under general schemes, where they exist, usually relate to birth,
income or nationality. Thus, while such grants are payable in
Czechoslovakia, Finland and Iceland without any qualifying conditions, in Canada (two provinces), Sweden and Switzerland assistance is provided to needy persons. In Australia, France and
Luxembourg the birth must take place in the country. In France,
moreover, the child must be of French nationality, and must have
been born within a specified number of years after marriage.
Maternity benefits to female employees, payable on abstention
from work, are usually subject to contribution conditions. Such
conditions vary widely from scheme to scheme, ranging from Peru,
where four weekly contributions must have been paid in the
preceding 180 days, to Belgium, Denmark, France (urban employees) and Norway, where insured persons are required to have
completed at least 10 months' insurance. Some of the insurance
funds in Brazil require 52 weekly contributions to have been paid
in the preceding year.
In the United States (Rhode Island) the employee must have
earned a specified minimum amount in wages during the preceding
year. In Greece the employee must have been in urban employment for 50 days in the preceding 12 months, and for 200 days
in employment generally in the preceding two years, while in
Turkey she must have worked for three of the preceding six months.
Maternity allowances, being more particularly designed to
compensate for the loss of earnings, are usually calculated as a
percentage of earnings. However, in Iceland (employees), India
and the United Kingdom (gainfully occupied) the allowance is
payable at a flat rate, while in Czechoslovakia, Norway and France
(agricultural employees and dependants) the allowance is at a
rate varying with the income class. The rates of maternity allow-

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

anees vary between about 35 and 100 per cent, of earnings, and
are usually payable for a period of 12 weeks, six weeks before and
six weeks after confinement. In Denmark, though the allowance
is payable only for a fortnight, a flat-rate allowance may be paid
during abstention from work on medical grounds.
Nursing allowances are at a rate lower than that of maternity
allowances, but are usually paid for longer periods. For instance,
in Chile they are payable for 10 months, and in the Dominican
Republic for eight months. In France they are payable during
nursing.
In addition to other benefits, layettes are provided in the
Argentine Republic, Mexico, Poland and Sweden. Sweden also
provides food, etc., in case of need. Under the Colombian law,
a nursing benefit in kind is provided if the child is not nursed by
the mother.
CHILD MAINTENANCE

Children's allowances, a relatively recent innovation among
social security benefits, arc payable in respect of each eligible
child in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czechoslovakia,
Finland, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New
Zealand, Poland, Portugal, El Salvador (benefits in kind), Sweden
and Uruguay, and in respect of the second and every subsequent
child in Australia, France, Norway and the United Kingdom.
In France, however, if there is only one employed breadwinner in
a family, an allowance is granted in respect of each child. In
Ireland, allowances are payable for the third and each subsequent
child, and in Iceland for the fourth and each subsequent child.
In Finland, additional allowances are payable to resident nationals
of small means in respect of the fourth and each subsequent child,
or, if the breadwinner has died or is an invalid, in respect of the
second and each subsequent child. In Norway allowances are
payable for the first and each subsequent child where only one
parent is present in the family.
In most countries allowances cease to be payable after the
child has attained the age of 16, though this age is often extended
if the child continues his education or is an invalid.
Allowances for child maintenance are usually payable without
any qualifying conditions, but in Czechoslovakia the claimant
must have completed 45 days' insurance in a quarter, or 90 days
in six months; in Hungary he must have had 15 days' insurance

DEFINITION OF CONTINGENCIES AND BENEFITS

during the current month. In Ireland aliens must have been
resident for two years, while in the United Kingdom the claimant
must have been resident for 26 weeks, or, if he is an alien, for
156 weeks. In Norway one of the parents must be a national.
Allowances are usually payable at a flat rate (i.e., a rate independent of earnings) per child, which sometimes varies with the
number of children. In Finland (resident nationals of small means),
Iceland and Luxembourg the rates vary with the cost of living.
In Canada the rate varies with the age of the child.
In Australia, Belgium and Czechoslovakia allowances are
payable subject only to the condition of residence. In Canada
they are subject to attendance at a school in conformity with the
provincial law. In Australia and Canada allowances are not payable
in respect of a girl if she is married.
In Switzerland varying schemes are in force in five cantons.
A Federal scheme for agricultural employees and mountain farmers
grants allowances at flat rates for (a) household, (b) each child,
and (c) other dependants.

CONDITION REQUIRING MEDICAL CARE

A condition requiring medical care, in this context, means a
morbid condition likely to be cured, improved or alleviated by
medical care, whatever the cause, and pregnancy, labour, and its
consequences.
Medical care means care by members of the medical or allied
professions, and such other facilities as are provided by medical
institutions with a view to restoring the individual's health, preventing further development of disease and alleviating suffering
when the person protected is affected by ill health, or with a view
to protecting and improving his health. 1
Medical care services in the countries under review are briefly
analysed below from the point of view of qualifying conditions,
the nature and extent of care provided and cost sharing by the
beneficiary. A distinction is made between medical care in general
and care provided in the case of sickness, invalidity, employment
injury and maternity in particular.
1
Cf. paragraph 1 of t h e international labour R e c o m m e n d a t i o n (No. 69)
concerning medical care, 1944 (I.L.O.: Conventions and
Recommendations,
1919-1949, Geneva, 1949, p . 546).

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

Qualifying Conditions
Medical Care in General.
As a general rule, under public medical care services, such as
exist or are provided for by law in Australia, Canada (hospital
care *• in British Columbia and Saskatchewan), Chile, New Zealand,
Sweden (hospital care) and the United Kingdom, there are no
qualifying conditions other than that of ordinary residence. Where
medical care is granted under social assistance, the means test
replaces the qualifying period.
Sickness.
In a number of countries, schemes for limited sections of the
population, such as employees, still maintain qualifying conditions
as to membership, employment or number of contributions. Thus,
the qualifying period is 60 hours or 10 days of employment (or
involuntary unemployment) in the three months preceding the
first diagnosis for urban employees in France; four weeks of contribution in the last Í20 days in Peru; five contribution weeks in
Colombia; six months of insurance since first entry into urban
employment and 50 days of employment in the last year in Greece
(or 250 days at any time in the case of tuberculosis); six weeks
of membership in Denmark; three months in Switzerland, unless
the cantonal or municipal law provides for a shorter period; three
months of employment for persons under 25 years of age and
six months for those over 25 in Belgium ; and 39 contribution weeks
in the last 12 months in Panama. In Bulgaria the maximum duration of medical care depends on the contribution period completed ;
where this is less than eight weeks, medical care is granted for
not more than six months; where it is eight weeks, or 52 weeks in
the last two years, care is granted for not more than nine months,
and where it is 156 weeks in the last five years, for not more than
12 months.
Invalidity.
Except under public medical care services or social assistance,
medical care in respect of a condition causing invalidity is generally
granted to invalidity pensioners only, and the pensioner has, of
course, fulfilled the qualifying conditions for the invalidity pension.
1

Not including care by medical practitioners.

DEFINITION OF CONTINGENCIES AND BENEFITS

Some schemes, however, grant medical care to insured persons
where there is hope of forestalling invalidity.
Employment Injury.
There are no qualifying conditions in the vast majority of
employment injury schemes, since the condition covered by these
schemes arises out of employment, and membership of the class of
persons for whom the benefit is intended is evidenced by the injury
itself.
Maternity.
Qualifying conditions for medical care in the case of maternity
are usually the same as in the case of sickness, but in some cases
a minimum period of membership corresponding more or less to
the duration of pregnancy is required in addition to the contribution conditions.
Nature and Duration of Care Provided
Nature.
The range of care provided under the several medical care
services varies from complete care of any kind as long as needed,
to the extent that existing facilities permit, under the public medical
care service of the United Kingdom, to hospital care only in British
Columbia and Saskatchewan (Canada) 1 and the Union of South
Africa.
In the majority of countries included in this survey, medical
care includes at least care by general practitioners, specialist care
of some kind, hospitalisation and essential pharmaceutical benefits.
In some countries specialist care is not a statutory benefit;
this is the case, for instance, under the Danish voluntary sickness
insurance scheme. In New Zealand, up to the present, only a comparatively small contribution has been made by the Social Security
Fund towards the cost of specialist treatment other than that
given in hospital, but the amended law makes fuller provision for
specialist care. In Norway pharmaceutical benefits are not provided
under the voluntary scheme for residents of small means, but are
included among the benefits of the compulsory scheme for employees. In Sweden the new compulsory sickness insurance scheme
due to come into force in 1951 will refund part of the cost of general
1

In Saskatchewan out-patient care is provided in one region and in a
number of municipalities.

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

practitioner and specialist care, while hospital care and medicines
will probably be provided as a public service. The Swiss Federal
enabling law on sickness and accident insurance does not require
subsidised sick funds to provide spectacles and prostheses, midwifery, dental care or hospital maintenance—medical care in
hospital is covered—although a number of cantonal or municipal
schemes actually do provide those benefits.
Restrictions often apply to the provision of special therapies,
such as dental care, sanatorium treatment, spas and the like.
In Switzerland care in a sanatorium for tuberculosis is a benefit
specially subsidised by the Confederation.
The range of medical care is usually complete under employment injury schemes and includes the provision and renewal of
prostheses. As regards care to invalids, in respect of the condition
causing the invalidity, all care required is usually provided.
Maternity benefit always includes care by qualified midwives
and commonly also such care by general practitioners or obstetricians as may be required; hospitalisation is provided where necessary. Frequently such care is granted not only on confinement
hut also before and after childbirth, and pre-natal consultations
are now the rule. All necessary medicines are usually supplied.
Duration.
Medical care is now granted as long as it is required by the
condition of the patient under a considerable number of sickness
medical care services, including those of Australia, Austria, Belgium,
Brazil, Canada (hospital care in two provinces), Czechoslovakia,
Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand
(public service), Norway, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, the Union
of South Africa (hospital care) and the United Kingdom (public
service). In some cases, however, hospital care is limited, often
to the same extent as cash sickness benefit. Under a number of
schemes restrictions apply in the case of dependants.
Provision of care is limited to 13 weeks in Turkey; to 26 weeks
in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Greece, Switzerland (Federal enabling law) and Venezuela; to 26 weeks with
possible extension to 52 weeks in Chile, Panama, Peru and El Salvador ; 60 weeks in three consecutive years in Denmark ; 26 weeks for
short-term and three years for long-term sickness in France, where
the period may, however, be extended if the patient's working capacity can be maintained thereby; 27 weeks in Haiti; 39 weeks in

DEFINITION OF CONTINGENCIES AND BENEFITS

Mexico, 52 weeks in Hungary (two years for tuberculosis) ; during
employment and thereafter for 90 days in the United States (seafarers). In Bulgaria, as already mentioned, the maximum benefit
period depends on the length of the contribution period and varies
from six to 12 months, but is unlimited in the case of tuberculosis.
Medical care is provided without time limit under most employment injury schemes.
As to maternity, the duration of the care is limited by the
nature of the condition requiring care ; hospital care is sometimes
restricted to a fortnight.
Cost Sharing by Beneficiary
While beneficiaries of medical care do not commonly participate in the direct cost of maternity care or care granted in respect
of employment injury, cost sharing is still fairly common under
sickness medical care services. In the United Kingdom the
beneficiary shares the cost of supplies only in the case of negligence
or if he requires a special quality, or of hospital maintenance if
he elects to be treated in a private ward. In New Zealand the
Social Security Fund pays a fixed amount for every consultation
or visit by a medical practitioner, and contributes part of the cost
for certain special therapies, but maternity care and hospitalisation,
including treatment, are completely free unless the patient is
admitted to a private institution, when only part of the cost is
met by the service. The Australian National Health Service Act
provides for cost sharing for medical treatment; hospital care and
pharmaceutical benefits are provided free under the hospital benefit
and the pharmaceutical benefit schemes. In a number of other
countries, such as Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, the
Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden and Switzerland, the
patient pays a prescribed percentage of the cost of medical care
or at least some kinds of more expensive care or of medicines.
Proprietary preparations for which pharmacopoeia preparations
can be substituted are sometimes excluded.
It will be seen from the above analysis that the range of care
provided under medical care services is extensive and tends to be
complete under public services, but that the beneficiary frequently
pays part of the cost directly, either by contributing a prescribed
percentage of the tariff paid by the service, or by being charged
additional fees by the attending practitioner, the medical establishment or the pharmacist.

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

MAINTENANCE OF COMMUNITY HEALTH

Recognition of the fact that the prevention of the contingencies
covered by social security, more particularly conditions requiring
medical care and possibly entailing incapacity for work, should be
one of the main aims of social security has led a number of countries
to provide general health care of one kind or another for the persons
protected in conditions requiring medical care.
Thus, measures for the improvement of health are provided
for in the Argentine Republic, Australia (National Health Service
Law), Chile (workers' insurance), Czechoslovakia (national insurance), Denmark, Finland, Guatemala, Hungary, Iceland (national
citizens' insurance), India (factory workers' scheme), Norway,
Portugal and, under the national health service, the United
Kingdom. Austria, Belgium, France, Italy, the Netherlands,
Poland and El Salvador enable social security funds to take
measures for the prevention of sickness. In Belgium, Czechoslovakia, France and Poland preventive examinations are prescribed; in Iceland, Italy, Norway and Portugal special measures are
taken to combat tuberculosis; and special services for the early
discovery of cases of tuberculosis, cancer and mental disease are
provided in Belgium. In Australia, Chile, Denmark, Finland,
France, Iceland, Poland, Portugal and the United Kingdom health
services are provided for mothers and children. The medical care
services in the Argentine Republic, Australia, Czechoslovakia,
Finland and Guatemala undertake health education, and those in
Australia and Czechoslovakia further research in the field of health.
In Denmark and Norway vaccination and immunisation are provided and such services, together with health visiting, aftercare, etc., are given in the United Kingdom, which generally
combines medical and general health care under the national
service.
INCAPACITY FOR WORK

In this section it is intended to examine briefly, for the three
types of incapacity for work, namely sickness, invalidity and
incapacity due to employment injury, the definition of the contingency covered, the qualifying conditions for benefits in cash,
and the amount and duration of these benefits.

DEFINITION OF CONTINGENCIES AND BENEFITS

Sickness
Definition of Contingency.
The contingency which gives rise to payment of sickness benefit
is incapacity for work in the usual occupation of the sick person,
incapacity meaning abstention from work necessitated on medical
grounds.
The notion of sickness commonly excludes incapacity resulting
from employment injury, which gives rise to benefit under a
separate scheme. However, a number of systems do not distinguish, for the purpose of providing benefits, between temporary
incapacity from any cause and temporary incapacity resulting
from employment injury.
The majority of social security laws exclude sickness of very
short duration, for instance, two to four days. In some countries,
however, waiting periods are longer, for instance, six days in Australia, seven in New Zealand and the United States (four States),
10 in Iceland, and 15 in Brazil. They may be longer for persons
working on their own account, e.g., 42 days in Czechoslovakia
and five weeks in Iceland. Under other schemes benefit is payable
also in respect of the first days of illness if incapacity continues
for more than a prescribed minimum number of days; this is the
case, for instance, in Denmark and the United Kingdom.
Qualifying Conditions.
In order to be entitled to sickness benefit, the claimant is
usually required to fulfil certain qualifying conditions, the purpose
of which is to prove that he belongs, in fact, to the category of
persons which the system is intended to protect. The qualifying
period may be a period of employment of the kind covered by the
scheme, or a period during which contributions were paid on
behalf of the claimant. Some countries which cover sickness by
public service or social assistance require a minimum period of
residence in the country. However, no qualifying period is prescribed in Austria, Chile, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Iceland, Italy,
Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Sweden and Venezuela. In these
countries it is sufficient to belong to the class of persons protected
at the time when the claim is made.
The length of the qualifying period varies from 60 hours of
employment or involuntary unemployment in the last quarter
preceding the first medical diagnosis of the sickness in France to 52
weeks of contribution in Brazil. In Australia and New Zealand the
claimant must have resided in the country for at least one year.

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

Amount of

Benefit.

The majority of sickness schemes grant benefit proportionate
to the earnings of the beneficiary, but a considerable minority
have flat rates. Where children's allowances are provided l, both
benefits are usually paid at the same time.
The sickness benefit is frequently increased by supplements for
family responsibilities in respect of a wife or children not eligible
for family allowances.
The percentage of earnings paid in case of sickness is 50 in
Austria, the Dominican Republic, France, Haiti, Italy, Luxembourg
and Turkey; 58 in India; 60 in Belgium and Portugal; 65 in
Hungary; 66 in Brazil; 66 2 / 3 in Venezuela; 70 in Peru and Poland,
and 80 in the Netherlands. The rate diminishes with the duration
of incapacity in Ecuador, where the percentage is 50 during the
first four weeks and 40 during the following 21 weeks; in Colombia,
where it is reduced from 662/3 per cent, to 50 per cent, after 120 days,
and in Chile, where it is 100 per cent, during the first week, 50 per
cent, during the second and 25 per cent, thereafter.2 In Bulgaria
sickness benefit is 65 per cent, of basic earnings during domiciliary
care and 20 and 45 per cent, for single and married beneficiaries
respectively during hospitalisation. In Czechoslovakia, Greece,
Norway and El Salvador the rate depends on the wage class and
in Denmark it varies according to the number of contributions
paid. In Czechoslovakia it is raised by 10 per cent, after 91 days
and by 15 per cent, after 182 days. In Mexico sickness benefit
is 40 per cent, of basic wages during the first 13 weeks of sickness
but is increased by 10 per cent, in the next 13 weeks and by 20 per
cent, thereafter. In the United States, the weekly allowance is
equal to 4 to 5 per cent, of the highest quarterly wages in the
preceding year for urban employees in the four States having
sickness insurance, and 50 per cent, of regular full-time pay for
railway employees on the average.
Sickness benefit is at flat rates in Iceland, Ireland, Sweden and
the United Kingdom. In Australia and New Zealand benefit is
also at flat rates but is reduced by the income of the beneficiary
in excess of a prescribed—fairly liberal—amount. Supplements in
respect of dependent children are granted in Australia, Austria,
Bulgaria, Iceland, Norway, Poland, Sweden and the United Kingdom; in France the rate is increased from 50 to 66 2 / 3 per cent, after
1
2

cent.

See p. 28.
For tuberculosis, heart and venereal disease the rate is 100 per

DEFINITION OF CONTINGENCIES AND BENEFITS

four weeks of incapacity if the beneficiary has at least three dependent children; in Turkey it is thus increased for all beneficiaries
with dependants.
Duration of Benefit.
The duration of sickness benefit is limited to 56 days in 365 in
India, 150 days in Belgium and Italy, and 26 weeks in Austria,
Chile, Colombia, Denmark, the Dominican Republic, Iceland, Ireland,
Luxembourg, Peru, Poland, El Salvador, Switzerland, the United
States (railwaymen) and Venezuela. The maximum benefit period
is 39 weeks in Mexico, and 52 weeks in Brazil, Czechoslovakia,
Hungary, the Netherlands and Norway. However, there is no
time limit for tuberculosis, heart and venereal disease in Chile;
the limit is two years for certain diseases in Norway, and three years
in five for tuberculosis in Switzerland. In some countries the maximum benefit period may be extended where there is hope of recovery of working capacity. In Greece, the maximum benefit period is
180 days for ordinary sickness, 750 days in case of employment
injury which is covered by sickness insurance, and unlimited where
the patient suffers from tuberculosis. In Bulgaria the maximum
duration varies from six to 12 months according to the length of
the qualifying period, but is unlimited for employment injury and
tuberculosis. Portugal grants benefit for 270 days. In Sweden
the maximum period will be 730 continuous days, or 90 after attainment of age 67. In France the limit is 26 weeks in case of ordinary
sickness and three years for long-term sickness, especially sickness
due to tuberculosis. In Ecuador the law provides for a maximum
duration of 25 weeks.
There is no limit to the duration of sickness benefit in Australia,
New Zealand, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
It will be seen that there is a tendency to extend the benefit
period in case of diseases that are likely to entail prolonged incapacity, especially tuberculosis, or to abolish the time limit altogether, more particularly under a public service or social assistance.
Invalidity
Definition of Contingency.
By invalidity is usually meant incapacity which continues
after medical care has ceased to be needed, and is therefore presumed
to be permanent. Invalidity resulting from employment injury
is commonly excluded from the general invalidity scheme; if this

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

is not the case, the pension is reduced where benefit is payable
under both the general and the employment injury scheme. Invalidity is assessed with regard to the probable earning capacity in
any kind of gainful work which the claimant can reasonably be
expected to undertake, except under some special schemes that
cover occupational incapacity.
The minimum degree of incapacity giving rise to benefit varies
from scheme to scheme. At least 50 per cent, incapacity is required
in Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia and Greece; 66 per cent, in Poland;
662/3 per cent, in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, the Dominican Republic, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico and the
Netherlands ; 75 per cent, in Iceland and 85 per cent, in Australia.
In some of these countries the minimum degree required is lower
for non-manual workers. In certain countries, the duration of
incapacity determines, or may determine, title to invalidity benefit:
thus, in Ireland the pension is paid after 26 weeks of incapacity,
and in Sweden incapacity must be total and permanent or have
lasted one year. In other cases invalidity must be permanent and
total.
Qualifying Conditions.
Under the majority of invalidity schemes a qualifying period
is required, which may be one of employment, with or without a
minimum number of contributions, of membership or of residence
in the country. A minimum contribution or insurance period is
required in Italy (one year) ; Brazil (one and a half years) ; Chile and
Ireland (two years) ; Bulgaria (three to seven years according to age
at time of onset of invalidity) ; Mexico, the Netherlands, Panama and
the United Kingdom (three years) ; Czechoslovakia (four years in the
five preceding invalidity) ; Ecuador, Peru and Poland (four years) ;
Hungary (four to eight years according to age); Luxembourg
(five years for nationals and 10 years for aliens) ; Portugal (five to
10 years) ; and Austria and the Dominican Republic (five years).
A minimum period of employment or service is demanded in
France (240 hours of employment or involuntary unemployment and
one year of insurance) ; Belgium (three to six months according to
age of claimant), and in Greece (750 days, including 300 in the four
years preceding invalidity), where invalidity is treated as a prolongation of sickness. In Bolivia five years of employment are necessary; in Cuba three to 15 years in the industries covered by the
scheme concerned. In the United States, for railwaymen, 10 years
of employment are required in the case of general incapacity for

DEFINITION OF CONTINGENCIES AND BENEFITS

work, and 20 years in order to qualify for a pension in respect of
occupational incapacity; attainment of age 60 is an alternative
qualification. In the Argentine Republic and Uruguay, 10 years of
employment are as a rule required.
The minimum duration of residence required is five years in
Australia and 10 years in Egypt and New Zealand. There is no qualifying period in Finland and Sweden, but in Finland the increments
to the basic pension depend on the number and amount of contributions paid, and in Sweden supplements are subject to a means
test.
Amount of Pension.
Invalidity benefit is always payable in the form of a pension
of unlimited duration, which is replaced either by the old-age
pension, on attainment of the pensionable age, or by survivors'
pensions if the invalid dies leaving dependants. The pension is
generally computed according to one or other of the following
three methods:
(1) Basic pension plus increments: (a) fixed sum, and increments proportionate to earnings (Austria, Bolivia, Czechoslovakia,
Finland, Greece and Luxembourg), or (b) basic sum and increments, both proportionate to earnings (Bulgaria, Cuba, Dominican
Republic, Ecuador, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Panama and Peru).
(2) Total pension proportionate to earnings: (a) percentage
of earnings for each year of service or employment (the Argentine
Republic, United States (railwaymen) and Uruguay) or (b) percentage of earnings (Belgium, Brazil, Chile, France, Poland and
Portugal).
(3) Flat-rate pensions (Australia, Egypt, Hungary (according to
occupation), Iceland, Ireland, New Zealand, Sweden and United
Kingdom). In Denmark the pension consists of a number of
elements depending on residence, marital status and need for
assistance.
Where basic pensions and increments are proportionate to
earnings, the basic pension is, for instance, 26 per cent, in Mexico,
30 per cent, in Bulgaria and Ecuador (manual employees), 30 to
60 per cent, in Cuba, 40 per cent, in the Dominican Republic,
Ecuador (non-manual employees) and Peru, and 50 per cent, in
Panama.
Where the total pension is proportionate to earnings, the
percentage varies considerably from scheme to scheme, ranging

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

from 3378 P e r cent, in Belgium for single persons after 150 days
to 66 per cent, under certain of the Brazilian schemes. In some
cases the rate is variable ; thus, it ranges from 50 to 100 per cent.
according to the number of contribution years in Chile, and from
30 to 48 per cent, according to the degree of incapacity and of
helplessness in France. In Belgium it is reduced from 60 to 50 per
cent, for married persons and from 60 to 3373 P e r cent, for single
persons after 150 days of invalidity (employees).
A number of countries provide for supplements or increases
in respect of the wife and/or the dependent children of the beneficiary who are not eligible for family benefit, for instance, Australia,
Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Colombia, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, the
Dominican Republic, Egypt, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg,
Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, Poland, Sweden and
the United Kingdom. In Finland, Denmark, Iceland and Sweden
the rate of benefit partly or wholly depends on the cost of living.
As regards supplementary pensions granted out of public funds
in view of the insufficiency of the pensions based on previous
earnings, see below, page 60.
Incapacity Due to Employment Injury
Definition of Contingency.
All social security systems dealt with in this survey cover in
one way or another injury resulting from employment, whether
by accident or disease. In Ireland, Panama, Peru and Uruguay,
however, insurance is not compulsory and payment of benefits is
not guaranteed, and these schemes are accordingly excluded from
the survey.
Some recent laws have extended the notion of employment
injury to accidents that occur on the way to and from work.
Others include injury due to accidents not resulting from employment.
Most schemes distinguish between temporary incapacity and
permanent incapacity due to employment injury, some between
total and partial incapacity.
The notion of temporary incapacity due to employment injury
corresponds more or less to that of sickness due to other causes.
It is deemed to be total as long as the attending practitioner prescribes abstention from work, and it is assessed in relation to the
usual occupation of the beneficiary. Some countries also grant
benefit in respect of partial temporary incapacity; this is the case

DEFINITION OF CONTINGENCIES AND BENEFITS

more particularly in countries, such as Australia and New Zealand,
that do not distinguish between temporary and permanent incapacity but rather between partial and total incapacity.
Permanent incapacity due to employment injury is analogous to
invalidity, but where a minimum degree of incapacity giving rise
to benefit is prescribed, this is usually much lower than under the
invalidity scheme, for example, 5 per cent, in Colombia, 10 per cent.
in Bulgaria, Finland and Italy, 15 in Hungary and Iceland and
20 in Austria. Some schemes have no minimum limit of incapacity,
but for minor incapacity the pension is often replaced by a grant.
Temporary Incapacity for Work.
A number of schemes provide for a waiting period in case of
temporary incapacity for work due to employment injury, but
this period is often shorter than that prescribed under sickness
schemes; the waiting period is one day in Guatemala; two days
in Poland, Sweden and Switzerland; three days in Austria, Egypt
(unless incapacity lasts more than 10 days), Greece, Italy, New
Zealand, Norway, Turkey (unless incapacity lasts more than
15 days), the Union of South Africa (persons other than Natives,
unless incapacity lasts more than two weeks) and the United Kingdom (unless incapacity lasts 12 days) ; three to seven days in Canada
according to province (unless incapacity lasts beyond specified
period); six days in Denmark; seven days in the United States
(unless incapacity lasts beyond specified period) (majority of States)
and Iceland; and 14 days in the Dominican Republic. In some
cases, payment is retroactive. Under the law of El Salvador
incapacity for work from any cause is compensated in the same
way, after a waiting period of three days, which is also the one
provided for under the new law of Haiti. In Luxembourg the
waiting period is three days if incapacity lasts not more than
13 weeks.
There is no waiting period in the other countries covered by
this survey.
Employment injury benefit is commonly provided without
qualifying period or means test.
Temporary benefit is at a flat rate in Iceland and the United
Kingdom. In other countries it is related to the previous earnings
of the beneficiary or to the basic earnings of the category of workers
to which he belonged. The percentage is 42 to 72 in Greece,
according to the wage class; 48 to 64 in Finland for the middle
wage class, according to family charges; 50 in Austria,
4

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

Belgium, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Egypt and Haiti; 58 in
France (662/3 after four weeks) and India; 50 to 662/3 in Luxembourg, according to the duration of incapacity and in Turkey
according to family charges ; 662/3 in Australia, Canada, Colombia,
Guatemala, Hungary, Italy, Portugal and the United States;
70 in Brazil, Poland and Sweden; 75 in Chile, Denmark, Mexico,
New Zealand and the Union of South Africa ; 80 in the Netherlands
and Switzerland; and 100 in Bolivia, Iran and Venezuela. In
Bulgaria, Norway and Czechoslovakia the benefit is the
same as for sickness; this is also the case in Luxembourg
if incapacity does not continue beyond the 13th week. In
Iceland, the allowance is at a flat rate varying with the cost of
living. It may be noted that in Venezuela a grant is made in case
of partial temporary incapacity and that in some other countries,
too, benefit is paid if incapacity is partial. Children's allowances,
where payable, are continued during payment of temporary
incapacity benefits.
Temporary incapacity benefit often continues to be paid until
the injury is healed or the disease cured, or until the injury, if of
a permanent nulure, is consolidated. In many countries, however,
a time limit is prescribed after which permanent incapacity benefit
becomes payable. This limit is six weeks in the Netherlands,
26 weeks in Austria, Colombia, Iran, Iceland, Poland, the United
Kingdom and Venezuela, 52 weeks in Chile, Cuba, Czechoslovakia,
Ecuador, Finland, Mexico and the Union of South Africa, 65 weeks
in Turkey and 80 weeks in the Dominican Republic. In Luxembourg, sickness benefit is paid for 13 weeks, but if incapacity continues beyond this period the full allowance for permanent incapacity is granted from the day of the accident, and where incapacity
is partial the corresponding fraction of the full rate is granted.
Permanent Incapacity for Work.
. When the temporary incapacity benefit ceases to be payable
and incapacity for work is found to have become permanent, the
degree of such incapacity is assessed and a pension related to this
degree is granted. Frequently the rate of the pension for total
incapacity is the same as that of the temporary incapacity allowance, for instance, in Australia, Canada, the Dominican Republic,
India, New Zealand and the United States. The pension is, on the
contrary, lower than the temporary incapacity benefit in Denmark
and Mexico (662/3 per cent, as against 75 per cent.). In Czechoslovakia the pension is two thirds of basic earnings for total inca-

DEFINITION OF CONTINGENCIES AND BENEFITS

pacity, whereas the temporary benefit varies by wage classes. In
the Netherlands and Switzerland it is 70 as against 80 per cent.
In Sweden, however, it is 91 2 / 3 per cent, as compared to 70 per cent.
in case of temporary incapacity.
In most countries benefit is also payable in respect of partial
permanent incapacity, the pension being such fraction of the full
rate for total incapacity as corresponds to the degree of incapacity.
In France, the allowance is relatively higher if the degree of incapacity exceeds 50 per cent.
In some of the Australian States and in New Zealand the aggregate amount of all allowances paid in respect of one case is limited,
and benefit ceases to be payable when this total is attained.
In case of injury entailing only a minor degree of incapacity,
and sometimes also where loss of a member is suffered but no loss
of earning capacity, a lump sum may be provided instead of periodical payments.
A considerable number of schemes grant supplements to invalids
who need constant attendance; such supplement may bring the
benefit up to 100 per cent, of earnings.
Supplements in respect of family charges are provided in a
number of countries *• to the extent that no children's allowances
are paid.
An example will show the practical application of the principles
discussed. In the United Kingdom, the victim receives benefit
at a flat rate during the first 26 weeks of incapacity, with supplements for a wife and one child. If incapacity then persists and
exceeds 19 per cent., an allowance depending on the degree of
incapacity is payable without time limit. Where the degree is
1 to 19 per cent., a lump sum is paid. Supplements are paid for
unemployability, special hardship or need for constant attendance.

UNEMPLOYMENT

Definition of Contingency.
The specific risk dealt with by unemployment insurance is
wage loss caused by lack of employment. Under most schemes,
claimants must be involuntarily unemployed, although some laws
authorise benefits when there has been good reason for voluntary
leaving of work. Nearly all countries require beneficiaries to be
1

For supplementary pensions out of public funds, see below, p. 60.

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

capable of work and, generally, they must also be available for
work.
Most laws require that claimants must be seeking work and be
unable to obtain employment or that there is no suitable employment available. This usually must be evidenced by registration
with an employment exchange. Some laws specify that the
applicant must be willing to perform suitable work, the criteria
of suitability being set forth. Frequently there are also provisions
governing the status of claimants who are unemployed as the result
of misconduct or an industrial dispute.
Qualifying Period.
Most unemployment insurance schemes require workers to have
served a minimum period of qualification before permitting them
to claim unemployment benefits, in order to limit benefits to bona
fide members of the labour force. Exceptions to this general
practice exist in Belgium, where men need only be normally
employed, and in Australia and New Zealand, where benefits are
payable to any person of insufficient private means, provided he
has been resident for at least one year. The qualifying requirement in other countries is variously expressed in terms of number of
contributions, weeks of employment or insurance, or prior earnings.
About two thirds of the laws include a recency requirement in
connection with their qualifying period. Some of these requirements
may be noted for purposes of illustration. Bulgaria: 26 contribution
weeks during the 12 months preceding the claim; France: employment during the six preceding months; Denmark: 12 months of contribution and 39 weeks of work, with 26 in the preceding 18 months ;
the Netherlands: 78 days in the past year; Greece: 180 days in
the preceding 18 months ; Luxembourg: 200 days of work in the past
12 months; the United Kingdom: 26 weekly contributions paid and
50 contributions paid or credited in the last contribution year;
Norway: 45 weeks of contribution during the preceding four years;
Sweden: 52 contribution weeks during the preceding 12 months; the
United States: specified minimum aggregate amounts of wages
must have been received, under most State schemes, in the immediately preceding base year; Austria: 20 contribution weeks in
preceding 12 months; Canada: 180 contribution days in two years
preceding benefit year, of which 60 in preceding year or 45 in preceding six months, with certain alternatives.
In the other one third of the countries the recency requirement
is expressed in different terms or left to regulations to determine.

DEFINITION OF CONTINGENCIES AND BENEFITS

The period of contribution, employment or insurance for benefit
qualification which they require is as follows: Ireland, 12 weeks;
the Union of South Africa, 13 weeks; Finland, 26 weeks; Switzerland, usually 180 days; Italy, two years' insurance and one contribution year: Uruguay (agriculture), five years.
Waiting Period.
Virtually all schemes provide for the lapse of a brief period
between termination of employment and initial eligibility for benefits. In Belgium alone there is no waiting period, but allowances
are not payable for single days of unemployment. Switzerland
prescribes a waiting period of only one day while Luxembourg and
the United Kingdom require three days and France five days.
Australia, Ireland, Norway and Sweden prescribe six days, while
seven days are specified in Austria, Italy, New Zealand, the Union
of South Africa and most of the State schemes in the United States.
Bulgaria prescribes a delay of eight days and Canada one of nine
days. Denmark and Finland have a range among funds, from six to
15 days in Denmark and from six to 18 days in Finland. Greece
has a five-day period for manual and a 10-day period for nonmanual employees.
Some countries, such as the Union of South Africa and the
United Kingdom, provide for retroactive compensation for the
waiting period when unemployment continues beyond a specified
time. A waiting period must be served for each spell of employment in some countries, while in others waiting days are cumulated
and need be served only once during a prescribed period. In some
cases, also, waiting period requirements are linked with those for
sickness benefits.
Rate of Benefit.
Two main procedures are followed in different countries in
determining unemployment benefit amounts for individual recipients: the flat-rate principle and the graduation of benefits in
relation to past wages or contributions. Nine countries may be
noted which follow, in general, the flat-rate procedure : Australia,
Belgium, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, New Zealand,
Norway and the United Kingdom. In virtually each instance,
however, differentials are provided in the law between the flat
amounts payable to single and married persons and also between
payments to adults and youths; a sex differential is also specified
in some cases. It should also be noted that the Australian, French

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

and New Zealand benefits are subject to reduction in respect of
private means.
Among countries in which unemployment allowances are fixed
as a prescribed fraction of prior average or aggregate earnings are
Austria (wages classes), Bulgaria (662/3 per cent, maximum),
Greece (40 to 50 per cent.), the Netherlands (60 to 80 per cent.),
Switzerland (55 to 85 per cent.), the Union of South Africa (wage
classes) and the United States (3.8 to 5.0 per cent, of highest
quarterly earnings). Canada and Sweden scale benefit amounts by
reference to past contribution payments.
The size of allowances payable in Denmark and Finland is
left to the individual funds, subject to certain statutory limits
expressed as percentages of past wages. In Uruguay, allowances
are fixed as a fraction of old-age allowances times years of employment. Supplements in respect of dependants are provided under
most schemes either through differential percentage-of-wage
figures or by means of flat supplements.
Some countries, such as Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia and Luxembourg, make provision for paying the costs of vocational training.
A number of countries either expressly or through generai language
provide for reduction of the unemployment benefit when beneficiaries are receiving another social insurance benefit.
In addition to their unemployment insurance schemes, Ireland
and the United Kingdom provide for payment of assistance to
unemployed persons of small means; such assistance, in general,
is equal to the excess of computed or minimum requirements
over resources other than those legally disregarded.
Duration of Benefit.
A minority of the schemes under review, including those of
Australia, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, France and New Zealand,
do not specifically limit the length of the period during which
unemployment allowances may be received. In contrast, the other
schemes provide for an express maximum on the potential duration
of benefit payments. These limits usually relate to the cumulative
number of days during a calendar or benefit year in respect of
which benefits are payable. The countries which provide a limit
include Austria (12 weeks, or 20 weeks with 52 weeks' recent
insurance, or 30 weeks with 156 weeks' recent insurance), Bulgaria
(12 weeks), Switzerland and Denmark (90 days), Norway (15
weeks), Finland (120 days), the United States (range of from
12 to 26 weeks under State laws, with medial limit, 20 weeks),

DEFINITION OF CONTINGENCIES AND BENEFITS

the Netherlands (78 to 126 days), the Union of South Africa,
Ireland, Luxembourg and Portugal (26 weeks), Sweden (156 days),
Italy (180 days), Greece (182 days) and the United Kingdom
(30 weeks or 52 weeks if five years of insurance). Canada limits
the duration of benefit in accordance with the contribution and
benefit record of the insured person. In Uruguay a grant is made
to urban employees, while agricultural employees receive their
allowance for 26 weeks, but not more than three times, and at
intervals of two years.

OLD AGE

Old-age pensions are granted as a rule when the person covered
attains the age at which workers normally retire, although retirement, that is, cessation of regular gainful activity, is not always
a condition for the payment of the pension. Generally, under
old-age insurance, the person who has contributed more or less
regularly is entitled to increments which vary according to the
duration of membership.
In a number of countries, more particularly the British Dominions and Ireland, pensions are granted to persons who have
resided in the country a certain number of years if their private
resources do not exceed a prescribed amount.
Definition of Contingency.
In order to qualify for an old-age pension, the claimant must as
a rule have attained the so-called pensionable age.
In the countries covered by this survey, the most common
pensionable age for men is 65 (Australia, Austria, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, Greece, Luxembourg, Mexico,
the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Switzerland, the Union of South
Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States). Pensions are
payable on or after attainment of age 60 in Brazil, the Dominican
Republic, France, Hungary, Italy, New Zealand, Panama, Peru
and Turkey; 55 in the Argentine Republic, Chile, Cuba and
Ecuador; and 50 in Uruguay. The pensionable age is in excess
of 65 in five of the 42 countries covering old age, being 67 in Iceland
and Sweden and 70 in Canada, Norway and Ireland. In Bulgaria,
the age depends on the nature of the employment: it is 50 years
for very strenuous or unhealthy work, 55 for strenuous work, and
60 for any other kind of work. A similar tendency may be observed

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

in countries where special schemes exist for miners, seafarers, or
other strenuous occupations, such as Belgium, France, the Netherlands, etc.
In a number of schemes the pensionable age for women is
lower than that for men, for example, 50 instead of 55 in the
Argentine Republic ; 60 instead of 65 in Australia, Austria, Belgium,
Denmark, Greece, the Union of South Africa and the United Kingdom, and 55 instead of 60 in Italy and Panama. This differentiation
is based on the assumption that women are generally incapacitated
for regular work at an earlier age than men, although in many
countries their average expectation of life is higher.
In some of the countries that have experienced manpower
shortage in recent years or have an aging population, workers are
granted increased pensions if they continue to work after attaining
the pensionable age. Another group of schemes, especially in Latin
America, makes the pensionable age dependent on the number of
years of service.
Retirement is sometimes a condition for obtaining the pension,
for instance in the United Kingdom, at ages 65 to 70; thereafter
the title to pension io unconditional. Where old age is covered by
social assistance, as in Australia, Canada, Egypt, Ireland or
New Zealand, only a limited amount of earnings or other income
is allowed the beneficiary.
Qualifying Conditions.
Under the majority of the old-age systems under review,
title to old-age pension is conditional upon completion of a minimum period of membership of the class of persons for whom
the benefit is intended. Under social insurance, the qualifying
period is either related to contributions paid or credited, or to
employment or membership under the scheme concerned. Under
social assistance or public service, a minimum period of residence
is usually required.
The minimum period of membership required is three years
of contribution since entry into insurance in the United Kingdom ;
four years of insurance in Poland and four years of insurance in
the last five years in Czechoslovakia; five years of employment
in Bolivia, of contributions in Brazil and Portugal; eight years of
contribution in Hungary; 10 years of insurance in Luxembourg,
of contributions in Mexico and of employment in the United States,
where covered employment must have lasted 40 quarters or
during one half of the quarters elapsed since age 21. The minimum

DEFINITION OF CONTINGENCIES AND BENEFITS

period is 15 or 16 years of contribution in Austria, the Dominican
Republic, Ecuador (age 65), France (30 years for full pension)
and Italy, 15 years of employment in Greece and 20 years of
contribution in Panama and Peru. In Switzerland full pensions
become payable only after 20 years of liability to insurance of the
claimant's age group. The qualifying period is 25 years of employment in Turkey, and 30 years of contribution in the Argentine Republic, the Netherlands—where the maximum age of entry is 35 and
the pensionable age 65—and Uruguay. Some countries require
shorter qualifying periods for persons engaged in particularly
arduous work than for others. In Bulgaria, for instance, 15 contribution years are required from persons engaged in very strenuous
or unhealthy employment whose pensionable age is 50, 20 years
from those in strenuous employment whose pensionable age
is 55, and 25 years from others who cannot qualify before the
age of 60. Moreover, allowance is made for persons who enter
employment in middle age only. In Cuba 10 to 35 years of employment in the industry covered by the scheme are required for
employees.
A certain density of contributions is sometimes required, for
instance in the United Kingdom, where, for right to the full
pension, at least 50 weekly contributions must have been paid
or credited per year on an average, and in Panama, where
contributions must have been paid during at least one half of the
last 10 years.
Countries with public service or old-age assistance mostly
require a minimum period of residence in the country: this period
is 20 years in Australia, Canada and New Zealand; in New
Zealand, however, it is reduced to 10 years if the claimant was
already resident in the country on 15 March 1938. Thirty years
of residence are required in Ireland, of which at least six must have
been spent since attainment of age 50, with a longer period for aliens.
In Norway the claimant must have resided in the country at least
one half of the period elapsed since he attained age 16 and for at
least the five years preceding pensionable age. Under the Netherlands old-age assistance scheme, claimants must have at least
six years' residence; in the Union of South Africa, 15 in the last
20 years ; in the Argentine Republic, five years in the country and
three in the region. There is no qualifying period in Finland,
Iceland and Sweden.
As a rule the qualifying period is the larger, the greater the
portion of the pension not depending on contributions.

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

Amount of Pension.
Old-age pensions are, like invalidity pensions, either at flat
rates or related to previous earnings or to the period of coverage
or both: as for invalidity, supplements are frequently paid in
respect of dependants not provided for by family allowances and
sometimes also on the basis of need or cost of living.
Flat-rate pensions are paid in the United Kingdom, the British
Dominions, Ireland and the Scandinavian countries.
Pensions are related, at least to some extent, to earnings and
usually also to the period of coverage in the other countries included
in this survey. Where old age and invalidity are covered by one
and the same scheme, the old-age pension is, as a rule, computed
on the same principles as the invalidity pension, for instance in
Austria, Bolivia, Colombia, Czechoslovakia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, Panama, Peru and Poland.
Another group of countries that either do not cover invalidity
or treat it as a sequel to sickness, relate pensions to a variety of
factors designed to talco account both of the beneficiary's needs
and of his record of work. Generally, a full pension can be acquired
only after 25 to 30 years' insurance.
A recent tendency is to increase the pension in respect of
particularly arduous work, a method also applied in the fixing of
the pensionable age and qualifying periods as mentioned above.
Thus, France grants double the amount of the ordinary pension
payable at age 60 if the claimant has worked for at least 20 out of
30 years of employment in an arduous occupation; Luxembourg
provides for supplements to miners and metal workers. Czechoslovakia also grants more favourable benefits to miners.
The following example may serve to illustrate the various
factors applied in the calculation of pensions. In Bulgaria, employees and members of producers' co-operatives receive pensions
amounting to 50 per cent, of the average of the five highest annual
earnings in the last 10 years preceding the claim. An increment
of 2 per cent, of earnings is paid for each of the first five contribution
years in excess of the minimum qualifying period, and an increment
of 2.5 per cent, for each further year of contribution. Pensions
for urban independent workers also rise with income and length of
contribution period, while farmers receive an allowance at a flat rate.
Supplements in respect of dependants, generally for those not
provided for by family allowances, are granted in Austria, Czecho-

DEFINITION OF CONTINGENCIES AND BENEFITS

Slovakia, Denmark, the Dominican Republic, Egypt, Iceland, Italy,
Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Poland,
Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Pensions vary wholly or to some extent with the cost of living
in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden (local cost of
housing). Under some of the Scandinavian systems the beneficiary
is entitled, as of right, to a minimum pension but is granted supplements in case of need only. This also applies to invalidity
pensions.
In the Union of South Africa the rate of pension is determined
by the commissioner in charge of the scheme, subject to prescribed
maxima.
FUNERAL

The expenditure incurred in respect of burial according to
customary rites frequently involves hardship for the survivors or
those responsible for settling the affairs of the deceased. This
emergency is partly met by the so-called funeral benefit of social
security, which is granted either generally, in case of death from
any cause, or under separate schemes in respect of death from
employment injury and in respect of death from other causes.
The former principle—that of general funeral benefit—is applied
in the Argentine Republic, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Czechoslovakia, the Dominican Republic, Panama, El Salvador and the United
Kingdom. In other countries, funeral benefit is granted in the
event of employment injury under employment injury schemes and,
in some cases, also in the event of death from other causes to persons
protected either under sickness (e.g., Bulgaria) or under old-age
and invalidity schemes.
Pensioners are also frequently covered—in Australia (general
scheme) pensioners only are protected—and in certain cases funeral
benefit is payable in respect of dependants of the insured person,
for instance in Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, the Netherlands, Norway and Poland.
Only death from employment injury gives rise to funeral benefit
in Canada, Cuba, Egypt, Finland, Iran, New Zealand, Portugal,
Sweden, the Union of South Africa and the United States. In Guatemala and Switzerland a funeral benefit is provided in cases of
death resulting from an employment injury or injury due to a nonemployment accident. Iceland makes no provision for funeral
expenses.

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

While there are no qualifying conditions for funeral benefit
in case of death from employment injury, qualifying conditions
in case of death from any cause or from any cause other than
employment injury, if any, vary from six months of insurance in
Belgium to 60 hours of employment in the last three months preceding death in France. They are usually the same as for invalidity
insurance, where funeral benefit is granted under a pension scheme,
and the same as for sickness insurance where funeral is covered by
that branch of social security.
Funeral benefit always consists of a lump-sum payment. In
many countries it is designed to meet the cost of funeral, but since
a maximum is usually prescribed, the benefits may not always
cover the actual expenditure. A number of countries pay a fixed
amount irrespective of the actual cost (Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada,
Chile, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Greece, Mexico, El Salvador, etc.);
others a percentage of earnings, for instance Austria (20 to 40 times
daily basic earnings), Belgium (30 times the daily earnings), Colombia (last monthly wage), Finland (17 per cent, of the annual income,
with higher percentage for lower income classes and lower rates
for higher income classes), Luxembourg (one fifteenth of annual
earnings, subject to prescribed maximum). In France a sum of
90 times the daily basic wage is paid on the death of an insured
urban employee, after deduction of funeral benefit paid under
the employment injury scheme where death is due to such injury.

DEATH OF BREADWINNER

Survivors' benefit is intended to compensate, at least to some
extent, the loss or presumed loss of support suffered by a family
as a result of their breadwinner's death. This is done either by
the payment of pensions to the widow, or to the widow and the
orphans, and sometimes to other dependants, or by the payment
of a capital sum. Survivors' pensions are, in a number of countries, paid only in case of death due to employment injury—cases
which account for a very small proportion of all deaths of adults.
In other countries the pensions paid where death is due to other
causes are, almost always, lower than those paid in employment
injury cases, confined to a narrower range of dependants, and
conditional on the compliance with substantial qualifying conditions.

DEFINITION OF CONTINGENCIES AND BENEFITS

Widow or Widower
Qualifying Conditions.
Provision is always made for a benefit to the widow, but while
her title is generally unconditional in the event of employment
injury, she must, in order to be entitled to a pension under general
survivors' schemes, usually satisfy one or more or all of a number of
conditions, such as former dependency on the deceased, charge of
dependent children or advanced age, and, in some countries, invalidity. This is true more particularly under the survivors' schemes
of Europe and the British Dominions.
A novel tendency is to grant temporary relief to young widows
so as to permit them to prepare for and seek employment.
Widows with dependent children always receive pensions under
general survivors' schemes except that in Iceland the widow under
50 with a child receives her pension for only 12 months.
The age after which a pension is payable to the childless widow
is 40 in Bulgaria and Switzerland; 45 in Czechoslovakia unless
the widow is invalid ; 48 in Ireland ; 50 in Australia, New Zealand,
Iceland and the United Kingdom ; 55 in Sweden ; 60 in the Netherlands unless the widow is invalid; and 65 in the United States.
Childless widows who have not attained the pensionable age receive
a temporary allowance for 13 weeks in the United Kingdom;
three months in Iceland; 26 weeks in Australia; one year in Bulgaria and Czechoslovakia. In Switzerland widows under 40 years
of age receive a grant, which is higher for those over 30 than for
those under that age.
In France the widow of an insured person has to be invalid
in order to be entitled to a pension; the widow of an old-age pensioner must have attained the age of 65 to receive one half of her
late husband's pension. In Belgium, under the compulsory scheme
for employees, there is no age limit, but the pension depends on
the ages of both husband and wife, and a supplement is paid on
attainment of 55 years.
There appear to be no age limits or conditions as to invalidity
for widows in Latin American countries, but dependency on the
deceased is always a qualifying condition under general schemes.
In recent years the title to a widow's pension has in some countries been extended to an unmarried mother who lived with the
deceased as his wife if she is in charge of a child. A woman caring
for a child and keeping house may not infrequently be substituted

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

as beneficiary, e.g., in the United Kingdom under the employment
injury scheme.
The widower of a person protected is generally entitled to a
pension only if he is invalid and was dependent on his late wife
for his livelihood, both under general survivors' and employment
injury schemes.
Some countries provide under employment injury schemes only
death grants and not pensions; this group includes Australia,
Brazil, Denmark, Egypt, New Zealand and Venezuela.
While there are no qualifying conditions as to contribution
periods or length of employment for survivors' pensions under
employment injury schemes, those for general survivors' pensions
are quite stringent and frequently the same as for invalidity,
since invalidity and death of breadwinner are generally covered
by the same scheme. However, in Luxembourg, where widows'
pensions are not conditional upon attainment of an advanced age,
the qualifying period is 10 years, as against five for invalidity. In
the "Netherlands, on the contrary, the qualifying period is only
40 contribution weeks as compared with 150 for invalidity, as
other qualifying conditions for the widow's pension are very
stringent, the widow having to be invalid or aged 60.
In Switzerland and the United States, which have no general
invalidity schemes, qualifying conditions for widows' pensions
are the same as for old-age pensions.
Flat-rate schemes, similarly, require a minimum period of
residence, for instance five years in Australia and three years
in New Zealand. In New Zealand the period of residence for widows'
pensions is shorter than that for invalidity pensions, since widows'
pensions are also conditional upon the fulfilment of age and dependency qualifications.
Qualifying conditions other than duration of insurance or
residence always include a minimum duration of marriage, and
most countries have special clauses concerning divorced or separated women.
Computation and Amount of Widow''s Pension.
Employment injury. Widows' pensions or grants under employment injury schemes are usually related to the earnings or the
presumed earnings of the late spouse. In a few cases, however,
the pension is based on the old-age pension to which the late spouse
was or would have been entitled, e.g., in the Argentine Republic,
or on the pension for permanent incapacity due to employment

DEFINITION OF CONTINGENCIES AND BENEFITS

injury, e.g., in Bulgaria, Ecuador, Haiti (50 per cent.), Hungary,
India (60 per cent.), Italy (urban employees) (50 per cent.), Mexico
(36 per cent.) and the Union of South Africa (40 per cent.).
In Czechoslovakia the widow's pension in the event of death
from employment injury is of an amount equal to that payable
in case of death from other cause, increased by 5 per cent, of the
full rate of the employment injury allowance for permanent incapacity and supplemented by a lump-sum grant. In Greece benefit
is the same, whatever the cause, but there is no qualifying condition in case of death from employment injury.
The percentage of earnings accorded the widow in the event
of death from an employment injury is 50 in the Dominican Republic, 40 in Norway, S S ^ in Sweden, 30 in Belgium, Chile, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Turkey, 29 in Finland
(with a higher percentage for the lower income classes and a lower
one for the higher income classes), 25 in Colombia, France and
Portugal, and 20 in Austria, Cuba and Iran. In the United States,
percentages in the several States range from 30 to 662/3.
Lump-sum grants amount to 250 times weekly earnings in
New Zealand, four times annual earnings in Australia and Denmark, two to four times annual earnings in Brazil, 800 days'
earnings in Egypt and twice annual earnings in Venezuela.
Any cause, or cause other than employment injury. Widows'
pensions under general survivors' schemes are at flat rates (as
are also old-age and invalidity pensions) in Australia, Ireland,
New Zealand, Sweden and the United Kingdom. In other countries they are often fixed at a prescribed percentage of the invalidity
pension to which the late husband would have been entitled if
he had become invalid at the time of his death, unless the deceased
was an invalid or old-age pensioner, when the pension the husband
was receiving serves as the basis.
This percentage of the invalidity pension is 40 in Greece;
40 to 50 in Bulgaria, the higher rate being payable to a widow
without dependants; 50 in Brazil and Uruguay; 70 in Czechoslovakia, and 80 for employees in Cuba. In Luxembourg the
widow's pension consists of 66 2 / 3 per cent, of the basic invalidity
pension and 50 per cent, of the increment; in the Netherlands it
is 120 per cent, of the basic invalidity pension.
In some countries the widow's pension is based on the old-age
pension, for instance in Belgium, where it is 35 to 50 per cent.
of such pension, according to age of husband at time of death,

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

plus various supplements 1 ; Switzerland, 50 to 90 per cent., according to age of widow ; and the United States, 75 per cent.
Pensions granted to widows continue until the conditions establishing the title to benefit cease to apply. Thus, they are always
terminated on remarriage, when a lump sum is usually paid to
assist the widow during the period of readjustment. Pensions
payable only where the widow has the charge of dependent children
end when the last dependent child attains the age limit; the title
is sometimes revived when the mother attains the pensionable
age for a childless widow. Otherwise, widows' pensions are generally
replaced b y old-age pensions when the beneficiary attains the
pensionable age.
Orphans and Other Dependent

Minors

Under a majority of survivors' benefit schemes the children
of the breadwinner under a given age are entitled either to supplements to the widow's pension or to orphans' pensions. As a rule
no benefit is payable in respect of children who are eligible for
children's allowances. As in the case of widows' pensions, qualifying
conditions are prescribed under general survivors' schemes but
not under employment injury schemes; however, age limits are
now frequently the same under both types of scheme or benefit.
Such is the case, for example, in Czechoslovakia, Greece, Mexico,
the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom: in all these
countries the age limit is 16, both in the event of death due to
employment injury and death due to other causes. It is again the
case in the Argentine Republic, Bulgaria and Luxembourg, but
there the age is 18.
In Belgium the age limit is 18 under the employment injury
scheme and 16 under the general scheme; in Switzerland the converse situation obtains, the age being 16 under the employment
injury scheme and 18 under the general scheme'.
The most common age limit is 16, whichever type of scheme is
considered, b u t examples of other ages are not rare. Thus, apart
from the instances already mentioned, we find under employment
injury schemes 14 in Colombia, 15 in India and 17 in Egypt, the
Dominican Republic and Finland.
In a great number of countries, the payment of the supplement
or pension is prolonged up to a prescribed age limit if the child
continues its general or vocational education.
1

For supplements out of public funds, see below, p. 60.

DEFINITION OF CONTINGENCIES AND BENEFITS

Grandchildren, sisters and brothers who were dependent on the
deceased are sometimes entitled to orphans' benefit, usually provided that the maximum for survivors' benefits has not been
reached after payment of widows' and orphans' pensions. This
is especially true under employment injury schemes. Countries
providing for grandchildren include Czechoslovakia, Greece, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
Qualifying conditions for orphans' pensions are generally the
same as for widows' pensions. Orphans' benefits consist of supplements to the widow's pension, or of an increased pension for the
widow with dependent children, or of a separate orphan's pension.
Survivors' benefits complete children's allowances where the latter
are not payable in respect of all children.
In the Netherlands, under the general survivors' scheme, the
pension is payable in respect of all orphans collectively and continues at the full rate until the youngest child reaches the age of
16 years.
Rates of orphans' pensions vary widely. The pension is at a
flat rate per child under the general survivors' scheme in Belgium,
Iceland and Ireland, and under employment injury insurance in
Canada, Egypt, Norway and the United Kingdom.
Separate orphans' pensions are at the rate of 15 per cent, of
basic or previous earnings under employment injury insurance
in Belgium, the Netherlands and Switzerland, as compared with
30 per cent, for the widow. The percentage of earnings under
employment injury insurance is 162/3 as compared with 3373 f° r
the widow in Sweden, and 20 in Luxembourg, where the widow
receives 30.
Where the orphan's pension is related to the invalidity or oldage pension to which the father was or would have been entitled,
the percentage is of course higher than where the orphan's pension
is related to earnings. It is 40 per cent, under the general scheme
in Austria (widow 50 per cent.), 30 per cent, under the general
scheme in Bulgaria (widow with child 40 per cent., widow without
child 50 per cent.) and 30 per cent, in Switzerland (widow 50 to
90 per cent.) ; and 20 per cent, of the invalidity pension in all cases in
Greece (widow 40 per cent.) and in Mexico, under general survivors'
insurance (widow 40 per cent.).
In Luxembourg, under the general scheme, orphans receive
one third of the basic pension and one fifth of the increment,
whereas the widow receives two thirds and one half respectively.
In India, under the employment injury scheme, the orphan's
5

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

pension is two fifths of the permanent incapacity pension as compared with three fifths for the widow.
Very roughly, therefore, an orphan's pension varies between
one half and one third of the widow's pension. But the limitation
in most countries of the aggregate amount of survivors' pensions
either to a prescribed percentage of earnings or to the total amount
of the invalidity or old-age pension means that the full rate is not
payable in respect of all dependent children where there are more
than two (for family allowances, see above, page 30).
The pensions payable to orphans who have lost both parents
are usually higher than those payable to half orphans.
Other Dependants
Benefits are often granted, under employment injury schemes,
to dependent parents or grandparents, to the extent that the
maximum of survivors' benefits is not attained by widows' and
orphans' pensions. In some cases these dependants have to be
in necessitous circumstances to be entitled to the pension, which
is, as a rule, smaller than the widow's pension.

SUPPLEMENTARY PENSIONS FROM PUBLIC FUNDS

Invalidity, old-age and survivors' pensions computed in accordance with the rules set out in the preceding pages, which are largely
proportionate to past earnings, have, in many of the countries
included in this survey, proved insufficient as the result of a rise
in the cost of living. Some countries have, therefore, been compelled to supplement pensions computed according to rules that
were adequate in normal circumstances by drawing on public funds
or other special resources. Various methods have been applied in
order to bring pensions up to the subsistence level. In a number
of cases, supplementary pensions are paid by the State under social
assistance schemes to persons of insufficient private means, for
instance, under the general assistance schemes in Switzerland and
the United Kingdom and under the emergency old-age scheme in
the Netherlands, which also grants supplements to persons in
receipt of regularly acquired invalidity and survivors' pensions.
In France employers pay a special contribution to finance pensions
which are granted subject to a means test to persons formerly
employed who do not qualify for a sufficient old-age pension under

DEFINITION OF CONTINGENCIES AND BENEFITS

the insurance schemes; pending the introduction of pension insurance for all persons working on their own account, moreover, the
State and the social insurance fund for urban employees are
financing old-age allowances for such persons.
Belgium also grants supplements from public funds to acquired
old-age and invalidity pensions.
Another group of countries have adopted the system under
which a basic pension is paid as a right to all persons qualifying
for such pension, while supplementary pensions are paid subject
to a means test. This group includes Finland and Sweden. Oldage pensions are specifically geared to the cost of living in Denmark,
Iceland and Norway.
Recourse has also been had, in some cases, to a re-evaluation of
past earnings on the basis of current earnings of workers in a
category similar to that to which the pensioner formerly belonged,
for instance, in France and Luxembourg.
It is hoped that with a return to more normal conditions,
pensions acquired under the regular schemes may again be sufficient
after a certain lapse of time to permit of the acquisition of full
pensions, thus rendering supplementary or social assistance pensions redundant.

CHAPTER III

ORGANISATION
PRINCIPLES OF ORGANISATION

Income security and medical care are provided (a) by social
insurance, compulsory or voluntary, whereby members of a certain
category of the population are obliged to pay, voluntarily pay, or
have paid on their behalf, contributions in consideration of which
they are entitled, subject to the fulfilment of prescribed qualifying
conditions, to benefit at rates and in contingencies provided by
law, or (b) by a public service, whereby members of a certain
category of the population are entitled to benefit at the expense
cf the community at rates and in contingencies provided by law,
or (c) by social assistance, whereby members of a certain category
of the population are entitled, subject to a means test, to benefit
at the expense of the community, at rates and in contingencies
provided by law.
Income Security
Most countries have organised their income maintenance
schemes on the basis of social insurance, supplemented in some
cases by social assistance. However, Australia, Canada, Finland,
Hungary, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden and the United
Kingdom provide family allowances as a public service, and New
Zealand grants benefits at the expense of the community, without
a means test, to persons who have reached the retirement age.
In a number of the contingencies covered by social security, Australia and New Zealand provide social assistance, but the means
test is a very liberal one. Protection against incapacity or death
arising from an employment injury is usually provided by social
insurance, although in a few countries the employer is individually
liable for compensation. This report excludes employment injury
compensation schemes based on the employer's individual liability
unless the payment of benefit is secured by a guarantee fund or

ORGANISATION

approved self-insurance, as in Belgium, Chile, and various States
of the United States.
Medical Care
Medical care is generally provided by social insurance, but in
Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom it is available to
all members of the population as a public service. In a number
of countries, particularly those of Latin America, the sickness
insurance schemes which provide medical benefit to insured persons
and their dependants are supplemented by medical assistance
schemes for needy members of the population. Chile provides a
public service based on hospitals.

ADMINISTRATION

The administration of social security schemes is vested either
in autonomous institutions, which are subject to some degree of
State supervision, or in the State. Schemes based on social insurance
principles are usually administered by autonomous institutions,
while assistance schemes and schemes organised as public services
are administered by the State. However, in Ireland, the United
Kingdom and the United States the State is directly responsible
for the administration of social insurance schemes. In a number
of other countries the State is responsible for the administration of
one or more branches of social insurance, while other branches
of insurance are administered by autonomous bodies.
There is a general tendency towards the unification of social
security schemes and towards the centralisation of their administration. Separate schemes for salaried employees and wage earners
have sometimes been maintained, but this differentiation is tending
to disappear. A number of countries, however, still have independent
insurance schemes for persons engaged in arduous occupations,
such as mining and seafaring, in order better to meet their special
needs in the matter of protection against invalidity, old age and
death.
Most of the countries which have either unified and co-ordinated
the various general social insurance schemes or which have recently
introduced new comprehensive social security systems, vest the
administrative authority for all branches of social security in a
single national agency. Thus the administration of the general
social security schemes covered in this report, excluding certain

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

medical assistance schemes, is centralised in one body in Bolivia,
Bulgaria, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador,
Guatemala, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, India, Mexico, Panama, Peru,
Poland, El Salvador, Turkey and Venezuela. In the Argentine
Republic the administration of all branches of social insurance providing for income maintenance is centralised in one body and the
administration of medical care is vested in the Ministry of Health.
The Minister of National Insurance of the United Kingdom is
responsible for the administration of the social insurance income
maintenance scheme of that country ; its social assistance scheme is
administered by a State-appointed board, which reports to the
Ministry of National Insurance, and the Minister of Health is
responsible for the national health services. Australia, Egypt, Iran
and New Zealand have centralised the administration of the
schemes to maintain income in all the contingencies dealt with
except employment injury, a contingency which often receives
special treatment on historical grounds, because systems of
employment injury compensation were established before social
insurance schemes became general. In Canada, Czechoslovakia,
Ireland, Italy, Norway, the Union of South Africa and the United
States, the schemes for each of the various contingencies covered,
or in some cases for groups of contingencies, have been centralised
in single bodies. In Australia, Canada and the United States some
schemes, for example those covering employment injuries, are
based on State or provincial legislation and their administration
is centralised at the State or provincial level.
In Brazil and Portugal insurance of all the contingencies
covered, with the exception of employment injuries, is administered
by corporate occupational funds, each fund carrying all risks.
Cuba administers its pension insurance through a number of
occupational funds and maternity benefits through a single fund.
In Greece unemployment insurance is carried by a main fund and
a few occupational funds. A central institution covers the other
contingencies and there are a number of smaller occupational or
regional funds which carry insurance against one or several contingencies. In Uruguay, State occupational funds carry social
insurance.
The schemes least likely to have a centralised administration
are those covering the short-term risks, particularly sickness.
These usually originated in the mutual benefit movement, since
the nature of the contingencies covered and of the benefits provided
render expedient a close personal bond between the insured person

ORGANISATION

and the administration. Whereas the United Kingdom has substituted centralised State administration for the administration of
sickness insurance through mutual benefit societies, Austria,
Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Sweden and
Switzerland continue to administer sickness insurance on the basis of
occupational and/or regional funds, which usually collect the
contributions and which are responsible for the provision of benefit.
Similarly Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland administer unemployment insurance through occupational,
regional and/or trade union funds.
On the other hand, Austria, Denmark (invalidity), Finland,
Luxembourg and the Netherlands administer their pension schemes
through centralised agencies. Centralised administration o f pension
schemes arose from the fact that it was necessary to accumulate
considerable reserves and consequently desirable to include a large
number of persons in a single fund. Furthermore, the nature of the
benefits granted did not necessitate a close and continual contact
between the beneficiary and the administrative agency, as in the
case of sickness insurance.
In Belgium sickness and invalidity insurance is carried by
mutual benefit societies and by regional offices to which persons
not affiliated to a mutual benefit society are automatically assigned.
Family allowances are provided through independent mutual
funds and a special fund for the self-employed, while unemployment
insurance is carried by a single fund. One fund is responsible for
the payment of old-age and survivors' annuities and another for
the payment of old-age and survivors' bonuses and supplements.
All contributions are collected by a central agency, set up in the
Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, which apportions the proceeds in respect of the various contingencies. The share allocated
to sickness and invalidity insurance is paid to a national body,
which includes representatives of the mutual benefit societies,
chosen through the unions of federations of these societies. This
national body in turn apportions the share of the proceeds allocated
to sickness and invalidity among the various insurance carriers
which provide the benefits. Similarly a national equalisation fund
apportions the moneys assigned to it among the various family
allowance funds.
In France there are autonomous primary or departmental funds,
regional funds and family allowance funds. Benefits in cash and
kind in case of sickness are administered by the primary funds,
invalidity, old-age and survivors' pensions are administered by

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

regional funds, and a national fund acts as an equalisation agency
in both cases.
In countries where the administration of social security or
branches thereof is vested in a single body, provision must be
made for the carrying out of administrative functions at regional
or local levels.
Sometimes branch offices of the central administrative authority
are set up. Thus, the Canadian Department of National Health
and Welfare maintains regional offices in each provincial capital
to deal with the administration of the family allowance scheme,
and the United States Federal Government has set up regional
offices and a large number of field offices to administer old-age and
survivors' insurance.
In other countries local administrative functions are carried
out by regional institutions having a considerable degree of autonomy but subject to the supervision of the central institution.
The Norwegian sickness insurance scheme provides an example
of this type of local administrative machinery. In the Argentine
Republic, Bolivia and Colombia, previously existing institutions
form sections of the central institution.
The central administrative authorities sometimes avail themselves of the services of regional agencies, such as branch post
offices and employment exchanges, to assist them in local administration.
Where social security schemes are administered by a number of
autonomous funds, such funds usually form federations for their
mutual advantage in carrying out all or some of their functions.
Thus sick funds may obtain the services of the medical and allied
professions for their members on the basis of contracts made
between the federations to which they are affiliated and the professional associations concerned. A federation of insurance funds
may maintain hospitals and sanatoria. Some federations undertake
reinsurance and others set up funds to bear specified common
charges and to serve as equalisation agencies.
Autonomous institutions to administer social security schemes
are set up by a public authority, but in many cases compulsory
insurance schemes have taken over the voluntary institutions
which had been set up by private initiative. These institutions or
funds have to fulfil specified conditions as to size of membership
and financial stability in order to obtain the approval of the
public authorities. Non-members are automatically assigned to
statutory regional institutions.

ORGANISATION

The Belgian and Danish sickness insurance schemes are administered by self-governing mutual benefit societies.
In Austria, France, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Turkey and the Union of South
Africa insured persons and employers participate in the management of the social insurance institutions. Insured persons and
the State are both represented in the administration of the social
insurance institutions of Bulgaria and Ecuador. In the Argentine
Republic, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada (unemployment insurance), Chile,
Colombia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Greece, Guatemala,
Haiti, India, Mexico, Panama, Peru, El Salvador, Uruguay and
Venezuela social insurance institutions are managed by representatives of insured persons, employers and the State. The insured
persons are solely responsible for the management of the Central
National Insurance Institution of Czechoslovakia. In Finland the
State appoints the deliberative body of the State Pension Institution,
and Parliament elects its executive body. The State insurance
Institution of Iceland is administered by a State-appointed director
and a board elected by Parliament. Experts in social security
and members of the professions which provide medical care are
usually represented in the governing bodies of autonomous social
insurance institutions, and in some cases special advisory bodies
have been set up to assist the direction in technical matters.
The Belgian sickness and invalidity insurance scheme provides
for medical, dental and pharmaceutical councils, which include
representatives of the professions concerned and of the appropriate
ministries, and which report to the National Sickness and Invalidity
Fund. In Iceland, the State Insurance Institution is assisted by
an advisory committee of medical experts, which includes the
Director of Public Health. The professions concerned and local
health authorities are represented at the local level in the bodies
which administer medical care services in the United Kingdom.
In order to safeguard the interests of the insured persons, the
operations of self-governing bodies entrusted with the administration of social insurance schemes are subject to regular supervision by the public authorities as to legality and in some cases as
to expediency. Such supervisory authority is exercised by a department or ministry of State or by a State-appointed official.

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

RIGHT OF APPEAL

Procedure for the settlement of disputes arising out of the
application of social security schemes is contained in the relevant
legislation. In the Argentine Republic, Australia (general social
security scheme), Bolivia, Canada (employment injury insurance),
Ecuador, Egypt (invalidity, old age and death of breadwinner),
Finland (family allowance and pension schemes), Ireland (old-age
assistance), New Zealand (general social security scheme), Norway
(maternity, sickness, child maintenance and unemployment
schemes), Panama, Peru, the Union of South Africa (unemployment
insurance and old-age assistance), the United Kingdom (health
services), and the United States (employment injury compensation),
the right of appeal against the decisions of the local or regional
administrative agencies or officers lies in final instance to the central
administrative authority, although on points of law an appeal may
usually be carried to the courts. In Belgium (old-age and survivors'
insurance), Denmark and Uruguay the final authority in cases
of fiisTììits i*s stri \vi"tr* "hnfì nTTiiTìrìTÌiìt o ^V^rnfitiOp -"»^ fif ííf,o cv *"- fi v o m ••

ment department, which in these cases is not the central administrative authority of the scheme concerned. In Cuba (invalidity,
old-age and survivors' insurance) and Sweden appeals lie to the
supervisory body and in Switzerland (maternity and sickness
insurance) to the supervisory bodies or municipal or cantonal
governments. Disputes relating to family allowances in Belgium,
maternity, sickness, invalidity, and old-age insurance in Iran,
maternity, sickness and employment injury insurance in Luxembourg, social insurance in Mexico and employment injury insurance
in New Zealand are submitted in final instance to arbitration
boards or courts. State-appointed bodies, on which the persons
protected are often represented, are empowered to make final
decision in disputes arising out of the application of sickness,
invalidity and unemployment insurance in Belgium, the social
security scheme in Brazil, the family allowance and invalidity,
old-age and survivors' insurance schemes in Luxembourg, the
family allowance scheme and the sickness, employment injury and
invalidity, old-age and survivors' insurance schemes in the Netherlands, and the employment injury insurance schemes in Norway
and Sweden. In France disputes arising out of the application of
the social security scheme are submitted to a committee of the fund,
from which they may be referred to commissions, under the chair-

ORGANISATION

manship of a judge, on which workers and employers are
represented ; an appeal lies to the courts on points of law. In Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, the Dominican Republic, Egypt (employment injury), Haiti, Iceland, El Salvador, the Union of South
Africa (employment injury) and the United States (old-age and
survivors' insurance) disputes relating to social security come
within the jurisdiction of the ordinary courts; in Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, Portugal, Turkey and Venezuela they come
within the jurisdiction of labour courts; and in Austria, Canada
(family allowance scheme), Finland (employment injury insurance), Greece, India, Poland, Switzerland (employment injury
and old-age and survivors' insurance, final instance) and the United
States (unemployment insurance) they come within the jurisdiction
of special courts. Disputes arising out of the family allowance and
survivors' pension schemes of Ireland may be submitted to special
referees, and those arising out of the Canadian unemployment
insurance are settled in final instance by an umpire chosen from
the Canadian judiciary. In the United Kingdom the right of appeal
in cases concerning the national insurance scheme lies in the
first instance to local tribunals and in the final instance to a
commissioner appointed by the Crown.

CHAPTER IV
FINANCIAL PROVISIONS
This chapter summarises briefly statutory provisions concerning
revenue sources used for financing social security and the types
of contributions imposed.

GENERAL SOURCES OF REVENUE

Existing social security schemes are financed through diverse
combinations of contributions from protected persons, employer
contributions and State subsidies (the last usually from general
revenues). The most prevalent though not predominant method
used is tripartite financing from all three sources. The tripartite
principle is used in financing both health benefits, including cash
allowances in case of sickness or maternity and medical benefits
where provided, and pensions in at least 15 countries: Belgium,
Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador,
Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Mexico, Norway, Panama, Peru and
El Salvador; New Zealand derives a part of its revenues from a
charge on income generally, which is payable both by all resident
individuals and by companies, and in addition provides for a
Government contribution. Five of these countries (Belgium, Ireland,
New Zealand, Norway and El Salvador) also use the same principle
in financing unemployment insurance, and three of them (Iceland,
New Zealand and El Salvador) also use it for family allowances.
The United Kingdom finances all cash insurance benefits, including
unemployment and employment injury benefits, in this way. In
addition Canada, Czechoslovakia, the Netherlands and the Union
of South Africa use tripartite financing for unemployment insurance; Cuba, Finland, Italy and Switzerland for pensions; Haiti
and Venezuela for health benefits; and Denmark for unemployment
and invalidity insurance.
A number of other countries, in contrast, rely on contributions
from protected persons and employers only for financing all or
i

FINANCIAL PROVISIONS

important segments of their social security systems, most commonly
providing for equal sharing. This method is used for both health
benefits and pensions in the Argentine Republic, Australia, France,
Greece, Iran and Turkey; Australia uses it, in addition, for unemployment coverage and Iran for employment injury insurance.
Hungary and the United States employ the same dual source for
pensions, while Uruguay uses it for pensions and employment
injury and unemployment insurance. The Netherlands uses it
for health benefits and Cuba for maternity benefits.
A combination of employer contributions and State subsidies,
without employee contributions, is used for health benefits and
pensions in Bulgaria and Czechoslovakia and for pensions in the
Netherlands. Denmark and Venezuela finance employment
injury insurance in this way. In contrast, employer contributions
alone constitute the main financial basis of health insurance in
Hungary and Italy, social insurance in Poland and unemployment
insurance in Italy and the United States. Eleven countries finance
family allowances largely through employer payments. Finally,
the cost of employment injury benefits is borne solely by employers
in all but relatively few countries.
A twofold basis of contributions, by persons protected and the
State, is applied for health benefits and pensions in Guatemala
and Sweden, for health benefits in Denmark and Switzerland, for
unemployment insurance in Finland, Sweden and Switzerland,
and for hospital care in three Canadian provinces. In the United
Kingdom insured persons pay a small contribution towards medical
care, but the State pays about 90 per cent, of the total cost. Compulsory unsubsidised benefit schemes financed solely from employee
contributions are rare, though found under two State laws for cash
sickness benefits in the United States. Some countries provide
benefits for independent workers, however, which are financed
solely by such workers, while other countries provide subsidies
to contributory schemes covering persons working on their own
account.
The State, including local governmental units in some cases,
assumes the entire financial responsibility for benefits in certain
countries. Such is the case for maternity benefits in Finland and
Sweden; family allowances in seven countries; old-age allowances
(usually assistance) in Canada, Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands,
the Union of South Africa and the United States; unemployment
allowances in France and Luxembourg; hospital care in the Union
of South Africa and, except for a small insurance contribution, in

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

the United Kingdom; and medical care under social assistance
laws in 15 American Republics.

R E V E N U E SOURCES FOR D I F F E R E N T CONTINGENCIES

Health benefits are most commonly financed through a combination of employee, employer and State contributions; this is the
case in at least 17 countries. Ten other countries derive revenues
for health benefits solely from employers and employees. Two
countries (Bulgaria and Czechoslovakia) rely on employer and State
contributions. In Hungary, Italy and Poland health benefits are
mainly financed b y employer contributions. Finally, protected
persons and the State provide all revenues for the health schemes
of five countries (Denmark, Guatemala, Sweden, Switzerland and
several provinces of Canada).
More t h a n half of the schemes paying pensions for invalidity,
old age or death are also financed on a tripartite basis; this is the
method used in at least 20 countries. Pension schemes of nine other
courîtriss, in contrast, aro financed entirely from employee and
employer contributions. Employer and State financing is used
in Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia and the Netherlands, and employee
and State financing in Guatemala and Sweden. Denmark employs
tripartite financing for invalidity and State financing exclusively
for its old-age pensions. Pensions are financed by the State in
Egypt and b y employers in Poland.
Employment injury benefits are financed exclusively by employers in more than three quarters of the countries. Four other
countries (Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Denmark and Venezuela)
provide for some kind of State subsidy in addition to employer
contributions. A combination of employee and employer contributions is used in Greece, India, Iran and Uruguay. Guatemala
and the United Kingdom provide for full tripartite financing of
employment injury insurance.
About t w o fifths of the unemployment benefit schemes have
tripartite financing; another one fifth are financed jointly by
employers and employees. Allowances are financed exclusively
by employers in Italy, Poland and the United States ; by employers
and a general State subsidy in Bulgaria; by employees and the
State, without employer payments, in Finland, Sweden and
Switzerland; and exclusively by public authorities in France and
Luxembourg.

FINANCIAL PROVISIONS

Family allowances are financed by employers in 11 countries
(Austria, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, France, Italy, Luxembourg,
the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Switzerland and Uruguay)
and wholly by the State in seven countries (Canada, Finland,
Hungary, Ireland, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom).
Tripartite financing of such allowances is used in Iceland and
El Salvador; employer contributions and a State subsidy in Bulgaria; and contributions from protected persons and employers in
Australia.
NATURE OF CONTRIBUTIONS

The majority of countries graduate individual contributions
in relation to earnings of workers or payrolls of employers. A wage
ceiling is customarily prescribed above which no contribution is
payable, at least by employees. Usually the contribution is fixed
as a constant percentage of wages or payrolls but in some countries,
such as Canada, India, Norway and the Union of South Africa,
absolute contribution amounts are specified for different wage
classes. The base of the contribution generally is wages, including
supplements thereto and wages in kind, but some schemes covering
virtually the entire population, rather than workers as such, use
a base for graduating contributions which consists of some form
of gross, net or taxable income. This is the case, for example, in
Australia, Finland, New Zealand, Norway (old-age assistance) and
Sweden (pension schemes). Some type of income rather than wage
base is also used, of course, in schemes covering independent workers
as distinguished from employees.
About one fifth of the countries have one or more schemes
under which contributions are collected on a flat-rate basis rather
than being graduated with earnings. Among these countries are
Colombia, Denmark, Iceland, Ireland, Sweden (sickness insurance)
and the United Kingdom; also, a uniform head tax subject to a
family maximum is used for medical care contributions in Canadian
provinces. The flat-rate contributions frequently are varied according to age, sex, or other factors not directly related to earnings.
The form of the State contribution differs widely among
countries. Among the various methods by which its amount is
expressed in law are the following: fixed percentage of taxable
wages; uniform flat amount per insured worker; fixed ratio to
aggregate contributions collected; prescribed fraction of total
benefit or administrative costs; deficit between aggregate expen-

INTERNATIONAL SURVKY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

ditures and contributions from other sources ; cost of certain portion
of or supplement to basic benefit or of certain classes of services;
and absorption of part or all of contributions otherwise payable
by certain classes of employees, particularly those of small income
or in beneficiary status. Some laws regulate the manner in which
the public contribution is to be shared between the national
Government and its local units.
A part of social security revenues is derived, in some cases,
from the earmarked proceeds of certain special taxes. These
taxes usually consist of excise, export or property taxes. Among
countries following this practice are the Argentine Republic,
Bolivia, Cuba, Ecuador, France (scheme for agricultural occupations) and Greece.

PART II
SUMMARY OF NATIONAL LAWS

CHAPTER I

SCOPE OF SOCIAL SECURITY
INTRODUCTION

In this chapter the range of persons protected and the contingencies covered in each country are shown in the lines and columns
of a comprehensive table. The following signs are inserted where
appropriate :
C: compulsory social insurance, designating a scheme under
which title to benefit is limited to a category of persons in respect
of whom there is an obligation to pay contributions in order to
finance the system, and the possession of private means does not
affect title to benefit. This sign has also been used to designate
schemes under which the employer is individually liable for compensation in case of employment, injury but where there is a
guarantee for payment of benefit.
P: public service, designating a scheme under which title to
benefit is conferred on the population generally, or a category
thereof, at the expense of the community, and the possession of
private means does not affect title to benefit.
A: social assistance, designating a scheme under which title
to benefit is conferred on a category of persons at the expense of
the community, but the possession of private means does affect
title to benefit.
V: voluntary social insurance, designating a scheme under
which title to benefit is derived from the voluntary payment of
contributions, and which is subsidised by the community.
Schemes under which benefits, or the principal benefits, are
granted at the discretion of the body or authority administering
it are not included.

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

Contingencies Covered
Columns 2, 3 and 9-17 relate to benefits other than medical
care (columns 4-7) and general health services (column 8).

Grouping of Persons Protected.
All persons protected in the same range of contingencies are
grouped together under a designation characterising the total
group, whether they are protected by one or several schemes and
whether or not the benefits granted in each contingency are the
same. An exception to this rule, however, is made where the
schemes differ in the principle of their organisation ; if, for instance,
the whole resident population is protected in old age by a social
assistance scheme, but employees are also liable to compulsory
old-age insurance, these two groups are separately recorded, the
former with " A " (social assistance) and the latter with " G "
(compulsory social insurance). (See, for instance, Argentine
Republic, column 13.)
Special occupational or industrial schemes covering contingencies which are also covered by a general scheme for the main
body of employees are not separately recorded, but are included
in a broad designation embracing all the categories of persons
protected by these general and special schemes. Similarly, where
agricultural and urban employees have separate schemes but are
protected in the same contingency, they are grouped together
under the heading " employees ". Thus, for example, in France,
urban and agricultural employees, miners and seafarers, etc., are
grouped together under the general designation " employees ",
since they are protected in the same contingencies. If, however,
one scheme covers more contingencies than the other or different
contingencies, the two categories are separately recorded under
" urban employees " and " agricultural employees " respectively.
The same rule is applied in the classification of persons working on
their own account in agricultural and urban or special occupations.
Thus, in Bulgaria a distinction is made between urban independent
workers who are protected in a large number of contingencies, and

SCOPE OF SOCIAL SECURITY

agricultural persons working on their own account who are protected in old age only.
In the rare cases where there are only special occupational or
industrial schemes but no general scheme, all categories of persons
protected in the same contingencies are grouped together under a
heading enumerating the main occupations or industries concerned.
Thus, in Cuba, under invalidity (column 10), old age (column 13),
and death (column 16), the persons protected are designated as
" employees in the textile, tobacco, sugar, graphic and other
branches of economic activity ".
Where, in a federal State, a contingency is covered by State
schemes, the range of persons protected is designated in terms
describing generally the scope of the schemes of the constituent
States. If the contingency is not covered in all the constituent
States, the number or approximate proportion of units covering it
is stated.
Overlapping Groups.
Where one or more contingencies are covered by a scheme of
wider scope of protection than the schemes covering other contingencies, the former appears once only in the table, under the
designation appropriate to the scheme with the wider scope. Thus,
where medical care is provided by a public service for all residents,
the sign " P " is inserted in columns 4, 5, 6 and 7 under the designation of " residents " only, and is not repeated for other groups,
such as employees, who appear in the table because they are
protected as such in some other contingency. Similarly, where a
maternity grant is made to all residents, but a maternity allowance
is payable to employees only, the contingency " maternity " appears
once only in the table, in the horizontal column for " residents ".
Additional Criteria for Determining Range of Persons Protected.
Nationality. Where the protection is normally confined to
nationals of the country concerned, the word " national " or
" nationals " is inserted.
Residents. The term " residents " is used, as a rule, only
where residence in the country is one of the principal conditions

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

determining the range of protection. This will normally be the case
under a public service or a social assistance scheme, whereas under
a compulsory social insurance scheme the residence qualification,
though required in practice, is not of primary importance and is
therefore omitted.
Income limit or means test. Where protection is restricted to
persons within a prescribed income limit, this is indicated by
the addition of the words " of small earnings " or " of small
means ", according as the limitation applies only to the earnings
of the person protected before the contingency occurs, or to
any means—income or property—he may enjoy. The former is
the case where an insurance scheme is limited to employees whose
earnings do not exceed the prescribed amount, but whose private
means are not taken into account in determining their liability
to insurance. Where, on the other hand, all residents whose
means do not exceed a prescribed amount are protected in the
contingency referred to, the group will be designated as " residents
of small means ".
Where benefits in some contingency are granted only to persons
whose income does not attain a prescribed maximum amount
after the contingency presumed to involve a loss of earnings has
occurred, the potential beneficiaries are those persons whose means,
other than current earnings, before the contingency, are below the
prescribed amount, since those with private means attaining this
amount will not be entitled to benefit if the contingency occurs.
In this case, therefore, the words " of insufficient private means "
are added to indicate that potentially only those persons are protected whose private means are insufficient to meet minimum
requirements. (See, for instance, Australia and New Zealand.)
The same qualifying expressions are inserted where a benefit
out of public funds is granted to persons who are also protected in
the same contingency by a social insurance scheme, but whose
minimum requirements cannot be met out of their private means
increased, if they satisfy the qualifying conditions, by the social
insurance benefit.

SCOPE OF SOCIAL SECURITY

Dependants, Pensioners and Unemployed.
Dependants who derive their right to benefit from the insurance
of their breadwinner (e.g., condition requiring medical care, death of
breadwinner) are separately recorded under the contingency in
which they are protected. If they are protected as members of
the population or as residents, they are, of course, included in the
larger group. Pensioners and unemployed protected in the event
of a condition requiring medical care, etc., are also specially mentioned according to the same rule in the appropriate column.

SCOPE OF SOCIAL SECURITY
Contingencies coverea
0?
CJ

C
rt

Persons protected

'3
CD

Ö
O)
+j

Condition requiring
medical care

Argentine

Any cause

m
CO

¿¿

O a,
CD-O

a
S**
o 3.

'S
u

A
G

girt .S

P..S
S
H

Incapacity for
work
Any cause

Morbid condition

Ö
CD

!»

4-»

'•3

Funeral

M
03

•a

es
o «

3°
te £•
v s

CD
CA

!»

S >•
o-S,
O..S

3
rt
ü
S
<¡

QCS

Death of
breadwinner

6
m

s
8

G
C

Republic

Residents
Residents of insufficient means
Employees
Pensioners
Dependants of employees . .
Dependants of pensioners . .
Australia
Residents
Residents of insufficient private ni e ; i n s
British residents of insufficient pr iv att
means
Employees of small earnings . .
Pensioners
Dependants of employees of sma 11'ea Ml
ings

P
G

P
A

A
A

c
C

. . . .

Cusiría
Urban employees
Independent workers 2
Pensioners

A
C

P1
P1

C
C

G
C

C
C

c
c

C
C

c
c
c

c
c

Dependants
Dependants
Dependants
Dependants

of employees
of independent workers .
of pensioners
of unemployed

C
C

G
G

G
C
G
C
C

c
c
c

Belgium
Employees
Pensioners

V
C

C
C

Dependants of voluntarily insured
residents
Dependants of employees
Dependants of pensioners and unemployed
Bolivia
Residents of insufficient means . . .
Employees and members of producers'
co-operatives
Dependants of employees and of members of producers' co-operatives . .
Dependants of pensioners
Brazil
Residents of insufficient means . . .
Employees in industry, commerce,
transport, public services, etc. . . .
Dependants of employees in industry,
commerce, transport, public services,

C
C
C

C
G
G

V
C

c
c
c

G
G

G
C

v ; —
c c
C
G
c C

V
G

c
c

V
G

H
O
*4

A
C

t»
O
n

C
C
C

>
r
en
M
n

a
G

s
c
G

1-3
MÍ

G
G

2 i n specifled categories and/or in specified areas.

CO
CO

SCOPE OF SOCIAL SECURITY

Contingencies covered
Incapacity for
work
Any cause

Condition requiring
medical cart!
Morbid condition
Any cause

Persons protected

(cOTlt.)

Funeral

O QJ

Î1

lì f

li
10

Death oí
breadwinner

I
15

Bulgaria

Employees and members of producers'
co-operatives
Urban independent workers
Persons working on own account in
agriculture
Pensioners
Dependants of urban independent
workers and of pensioners
. . . .
Dependants of employees and of members of producers' co-operatives . .
Canada
Residents
Residents of insufficient private means
Industrial employees
Industrial and commercial employees
of small earnings
Dependants of industrial employees .
Chile
Residents
Employees
Independent workers
Dependants of employees

C
C

C11
A

C
C

P
C
C

C
C

c
c
G

C
G

G
G

C
C

c
c

Dependants of manual employees, of
independent workers, and of nonmanual employees of small earnings
Children under two years of manual
employees and of manual independent workers
Colombia
Residents of insufficient means . . .
Employees, and independent workers
of small means
Dependants of employees and of independent workers of small means. .

c
c

c
CO

Cuba
Residents of insufficient means . . .
Employees
Urban employees
Employees in the textile,sugar, tobacco,
graphic and other branches of economic activity
Urban persons working on own account,
such as lawyers, doctors, etc. . . .

A
C

—

A
C

r>
O

A
C

—

Dependants of employees in the textile,
sugar, tobacco, graphic and other
branches of economic activity, of
urban persons working on own account, such as lawyers, doctors, etc.,

c
c

—

O
O

G
C

>
r
o
CS

s Two provinces. * Five provinces. 5 Nine provinces.
CO

SCOPE OF SOCIAL SECURITY

(COìlt.)
CO
ai

Contingencies covered

Persons protected

'3
s>
d

o
a
c
a

'3
S
2
'3
o
3

Condition requiring
medical care
Morbid condition
A n y cause
CD

3
>
a
5

Incapacity for
work

of
"a

So
.3 E

!»

S
>>
o
a

a
o

Death of
breadwinner

Any cause

Funeral

»G

S"*
m

c«

2
S

S<u
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u 3
*" cS

'S >• rt p . K
co £3

O«

al
äSfr
Q "

Sí
H

!>.
a
<

a—•

i-<

O
Sä

>•

Czechoslovakia
Gainfully occupied
Workers in
Housewives
Pensioners,
pendants
Dependants
Dependants
Dependants
ployment
Dependants

family e m p l o y m e n t

. . .

unemployed a n d their deof gainfully occupied . .
of employees
of workers in family em-

c
c
c
c

G
C
C

c
c
G
C

c
c

ci
ta
<i
M

O
*J

G
C

en
O
o

G
G

H
«i

V
V

C
D e p e n d e n t children of
voluntarily
insured residents of small m e a n s . .

V
V

ce
H
c!

C
G

c
c

C
G

P
V

G
Denmark
Residents
Resident nationals
Residents of small means
Resident nationals of small means . .
Employees
Employees of small private means . .
Persons of small means working on own

c
c

G
of pensioners

Dependants of voluntarily insured persons of small means working on own
account
Dominican Republic
Residents of insufficient means

. . . .

A
C

A
G

Pensioners
Dependants of employees

Ecuador
Residents of insufficient means . . . .
Employees
Pensioners
Dependants of employees

A
C

C
C

A
C
G

A
G

A
C

C
C

A
C

C
C

n
O

C
C
G

O
*n
en
O
n

Egypt
Residents of insufficient private means
Employees of small earnings
Dependants of employees of small
earnings

A
PC

A
C

en
M
Ci

a
Finland
Residents
Resident nationals of small means . .
Employees
Employed nationals
Employed nationals of small means .
Dependants of employees

2
H!

P
A

G
A

C
A

P
C

00
-J

SCOPE OF SOCIAL SECURITY

(cont.)
CO

Contingencies covered
<v
ü

Persons protected

'3
u
ei

Condition requiring
medical care
A n y cause

'3
s
2
'S
o

+3
d
CD

to
CD

¡2
>

£• S
"E'tí

S
o
o*«

Morbid condition

Incapacity for
work
Any cause

S
>•

c
CD

Si?

a
o

E'"

'•a
13
>
a

Funeral

Death of
Breadwinner

"s
â.5

o
o.
S
c
p

bJJ

S CD

•o

CD ( 3

Si
O <u

g ».a

1.1

D..5

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t—i

h-f

¡>
t-

»
<

France

Residents
Residents of insufficient means . . .
Gainfully occupied
Employees of insufficient private means
Pensioners
Students
Dependants
Dependants
Dependants
Dependants

of
of
of
of

employees
pensioners
unemployed
students

C
C
G
C
C
G
C

c
c
c
c
c
c
c

c
c
c

c
c
c
c
c

C
G

ce
O

A
G

C
G1

C
C

G
C

C
G

G
C

C
C

G
C

w
c

Greece

Urban gainfully occupied
Urban employees
Pensioners
Dependants of urban gainfully occupied
Dependants of urban employees . . .
Dependants of pensioners

Guatemala
P
Residents of insufficient m e a n s
D e p e n d a n t s of gainfully occupiec

Haiti
Employees
Resident nationals of insufficient mean 3
D e p e n d a n t s of employees
Hungary
Residents
Employees
Pensioners
D e p e n d a n t s of employees
D e p e n d a n t s of pensioners

A
C

c
A

G
A

c
C

c
c
c

A
V

c
c

P
C
C

c
c
c

C
C

—

G
C

C
C

C
G

c
C

o
o
r
M
O

n
O
M

Iran
D e p e n d a n t s of u r b a n m a n u a l employee 3

India
F a c t o r y employees of small earnings
D e p e n d a n t s of factory employees o f
small earnings

Iceland
Employees

a
w

•-i

Explanation of signs: A: social assistance; C: compulsory social insurance ; V: voluntary (subsidised) social insurance; P: public service; PC; some items
covered by compulsory social insurance, others by public service; —•: no provision for group as a whole, or provided for as section
of a larger preceding group.
i Persons working for communes while in receipt of unemployment benefit are protected against employment injury.
referred to under column 2. s When extended.

2 Dependants of persons

CO
CO

SCOPE OF SOCIAL SECURITY

(coût.)
CD
O

Contingencies covered

>•

Persons protected

c
u

o
c
c
c
'3
S
2
'3
o
3

Condition requiring
medical care
Morbid condition
Any cause
to

a
M
_o
co

4-»

¡2

s*
ss.

°t
'S

I n c a p a c i t y for
work

= 6

'co

¡H
!>
c

c >•
c a

Death of
breadwinner

Any cause
m

Funeral

o
a

o S,
a.5
S
H

a>
a
P

bu
•a

u 9

¡»fc¡

tfl

S
rt
tí

<
13

-H
Ö
Ol

ti
S
m
17

Si
H
M

»
¡>

S
a
>
F
W
d
ü»
<¡
"i

Ireland
P
Residents of insufficient private means
Gainfully occupied persons of insufficient private means
Manual employees and non-manual
employees of small means
Urban manual employees, and urban
non-manual employees of small means
Dependants of manual employees and
of non-manual employees of small

Italy
Employees
Share farmers and tenant farmers . .
Working members of families of share
farmers and tenant farmers
. . . .
Pensioners
Dependants of employees
Dependants of share farmers and tenant
farmers
Dependants of pensioners

>Tl

?
C
CO

c
c

C
G

c
c
c
c
c
c
c

c
c

c
c
c

c
c

C
G

G
G

Luxembourg

Employees and other nationals gainfully occupied

C
C

Manual employees, and non-manual
employees of small earnings . . . .
Urban employees of insufficient private
means
Farmers
Pensioners
Unemployed

C
A

C
C
C

Dependants of manual employees, of
non-manual employees of small earnings and of unemployed
Dependants of pensioners

c
G

. . . .

tfl

>
C

C
C

C
C
C

Dependants of employees of small
earnings and of unemployed . . .

M
O

Netherlands
Resident nationals of insufficient private means
Employees of small earnings
Pensioners

r>
O

C
G

Mexico

Residents of insufficient means . . .
Employees and members of producers'
co-operatives
Dependants of employees, of members
of producers' co-operatives and of
pensioners

C
G

G
C

C
C

G
C
C
G

G
C

C
C

c
G

C
C
G

SCOPE OF SOCIAL SECURITY

(COTlt.)
CO
bo

Contingencies covered

s
'SS

Morbid condition
Any cause
to
en

s
"5
o

'55

a
5

>•

o |

••->

I§

la
ci

Incapacity for
work
Any cause
a
g t»
to

M
O

«5

¡3
>

-e Hs
S

Funeral

s
S
;»

Death ot
breadwinner

o
ft

2
3

S "S

öl

Death from
employment
injury

Matern

!»
'3

Persons protected

Condition requiring
medical care

Employme
injury

tu
o

tí
c«
O
t»
C

<
16

a*
O S
p,'a

S'"

a
H
H
S)

¡>

o
a
¡*
r
co

New Zealand
Residents
Residents of insufficient private means
Employees
Dependants of employees
Norway
Residents
Resident nationals
Resident nationals of insufficient private means
Residents of small means x
Employees of small means

Dependants
means
Dependants
transport,
Dependants

of employees

w
<!
M

P
A

A
C

C
C
A

e
e
e
e

G
C

r
co

V
C

c
c

G
G

A
V

o
*s
co
O

P
P

small

of employees in industry,
building, forestry, etc. .
of pensioners

Employees in industry, transport, buildUnemployed
Pensioners
Dependants of voluntarily insured resi-

2
C

A
C

l'anama
Residents of insufficient means . . .
Employees, and independent workers
Peru
Residents of insufficient means . . .

A
C

A
G

Employees of small means
Pensioners
Dependants of employees and of pensioners

A
C

A
C
C

C
G

Poland
C
Landowners of small means
Pensioners

G
C
G

C
Dependants of landowners of small
means
Dependants of pensioners

C
C

G
C

C
C

G
G

. . . .

G
C

Portugal
Residents
Residents of insufficient means . . .
Employees
Employees in commerce, industry,
liberal professions, public service,
Employees in specified occupations, independent workers in such activities
and certain professional categories
(lawyers and doctors)
Persons engaged in fishing

P
A

A
C

o
o
>

A
C

a
w

C
C

G
G

Explanation of signs: A: social assistance; C: compulsory social insurance; V: voluntary (subsidised) social insurance; P : public service ; PC: someitens
covered by compulsory social insurance, others by public service; —: no provision for group as a whole, or provided for as section
of a larger preceding group.
2

O
M
O

C but are liable forCpayment of full contribution.
i Residents of small means beneñt from subsidised insurance; other residents may insure voluntarily
Unemployment insurance is not applied at present.

CD
Ü

Persons "protected

>•
'3
S3

G
CD

.£

-M

"ctì

S
'5
o

Condition requiring
medical care
Morbid condition
>•
Any cause a
to

S !»

to
co
eo

a
o

*s
S-

CÇ

13
>
a

(cOìlt.)
Contingencies covered
Incapacity lor
S
work
Any cause
°ä
°

ë*
5¡¿¡
a e

cu - 3

5S
'S

£m

fi
ej
M

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n

Funeral
0>

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o S,
».S
S
H

S
a

co
CD

¡»
o

Sta)1
«

S CD
O co

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eu pi
pcS

Death from
employment
injury

SCOPE OF SOCIAL SECURITY

Death of
breadwinner
CD

t/1

ix
S
•<

H
M

a-"

w
2!

1-3

a
>
r
te
c!

Portugal (cont.)
Dependants of employees in specified
occupations, independent workers in
such activities, certain professional
categories (lawyers and doctors) and
of pensioners

<i
1*1
«Í

o
hi

Cß

Salvador

Residents of insufficient means . . .
Dependants of gainfully occupied . .

A
G
C1

A
G

A
C

A
G

c
c

I—I

Sweden
P

Resident nationals
Resident nationals of small means
Gainfully occupied and housewives . .
Employees
Dependants of employees
Switzerland

Resident nationals of insufficient means

I—I

P
A

VC 2
C2
A

p
A

P
A

VC 2
C2
A

¡>
f

co
M
fi

«i

A
C

Employees (five cantons)
Employees in industry, building, public
and private transport
Employees in industry, commerce,
transport and handicrafts, etc. 3 . .

C
C

G
VC

G
P

Mountain farmers of small means . .
Dependants of employees in industry,
commerce, building and public and

G
Turkey
Urban employees
Pensioners
Dependants of urban employees . . .

. . . .

C
C

C
G

C
o
M

Union of South Africa
Residents of small means
Resident nationals of insufficient private means, excluding Asians, aboriginals and specified classes of Natives
Employees of small earnings
. . . .
Employees of small earnings, excluding
specified classes of Natives . . . .
Dependants of employees of small
earnings
United Kingdom
Residents
Persons of insufficient means
Gainfully occupied
Employees

w
O
n

A
G
A

G
A

C
G

C
A

P
A
G

A
C

A
G

G
A

C
p

m
M
o
c

C
A

C
G

Explanation of signs: A: social assistance; C: compulsory social insurance; V: voluntary (subsidised) social insurance; P : public service; PC: some items
covered by compulsory social insurance, others by public service; —: no provision for group as a whole, or provided for as section
of a larger preceding group.
i Special services for children only. 2 The percentage of the population protected against sickness and maternity, either for medical care only, or
for cash benefit only, or for both, is 54. In nine cantons, the canton or 'some municipalities have compulsory insurance for residents of small means,
some others have it for children. Two cantons have compulsory insurance for all residents. » Sixteen cantons and 54 municipalities have compulsory
unemployment insurance.

SCOPE OF SOCIAL SECURITY

(conci.)

Contingencies covered
o

a
o
a
a>
a
'3
S
2
'3
o

Persons protected

Condition requiring
medical care
Morbid condition
Any cause Ci
'a
CU

CO
U3
CU

a
o3

'•3
>
a

E*
2a'aS.
S""1

CU
+J

Incapacity for
work
A n y cause

£¡
° eu

us
'S

co
w

a
Ü

•SS

:>.

Funeral
<D

e>•
o
a

'S
>
a

Death of
breadwinner

G
co
M
c«

2
O

S CD

CO
M

O CG

t.
3
* - cd

"cS >»
V S

r>>

pes

" eu

c«

a
CD

II
o,H

S
H

United States
Residents of insufficient means . . .
Urban employees
Railway employees
Seafarers
Dependants of urban employees . . .
Dependants of railway employees, seafarers and pensioners

C1
G
P

A
C1
G

A
G

A
C

P
C

Uruguay
Residents of insufficient means . . .
Employees in industry, commerce and
public utilities
Agricultural employees and employers
Dependants of employees in industry,
commerce and public utilities . . .
Dependants of agricultural employees
and their employers and of pensioners

c
c

C
G

Venezuela
Residents of insufficient means . . .
C
Pensioners
Dependants of urban employees . . .

A
C
C

A
C

c
—

A
G

c
c

CHAPTER II
DEFINITION OF CONTINGENCIES AND PROVISION
OF BENEFITS
INTRODUCTION

General
In this chapter a very brief description is given of the criteria
applied in determining the contingency and the benefits provided
under headings relating to each of the contingencies in columns 2,
3, 4-7, 8, 9-11, 12, 13, 14-15 and 16-17. All countries whose
social security system covers the contingency in question are
grouped under the heading of the contingency. For the contingencies " condition requiring medical care " (columns 4-7), " incapacity for work " (columns 9-11), " funeral " (columns 14-15)
and " death of breadwinner " (columns 16-17), subdivisions by
causes such as sickness, invalidity, maternity and employment
injury are made only to the extent that benefit provisions in the
country concerned differ according to cause (see, for instance,
" Australia—Incapacity for work ").
The description is confined to general schemes which apply to
the whole population, to all residents, to the gainfully occupied,
to employees, to persons working on their own account, or to
independent workers, as the case may be. Thus special schemes
included in the chapter on the scope of social security, such as
those for non-manual employees, miners, etc., are not described,
but their existence is mentioned. However, if different benefit
provisions apply to agricultural and to urban workers, both
sets of provisions are summarised under the appropriate headings,
even though the two categories of persons protected may be
grouped together in Chapter I.
When dependants of one of the groups included in the present
chapter receive the same benefits as their insured breadwinner,
the words " and their dependants " are added to the heading
designating the group; if benefits differ for the breadwinner and
the dependants, those for dependants are separately described
under the appropriate heading.

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

In countries where there are only special occupational or
industrial schemes covering the contingency in question, the
provisions of the schemes are summarised in general.
The summary of each scheme's provisions is preceded by the
designation of the category of persons protected, as shown in
Chapter I. Nevertheless, where benefit provisions are the same
under two or more schemes, the persons protected by all these
schemes are grouped together although they may be separately
recorded in Chapter I. Thus, under " Condition requiring medical
care—Bulgaria ", employees, members of producers' co-operatives,
urban independent workers, as well as the dependants of these
persons and pensioners, are grouped together, since they are
entitled to the same benefits on the same conditions.
Provisions of the schemes of constituent States in the federal
States are briefly summarised without giving details on each such
scheme.
Contingencies Other than Condition Requiring Medical Care and
Maintenance of Community Health
The following data are given, where relevant:
Conditions Defining Contingency.
Maternity. Conditions of eligibility pertaining to pregnancy,
childbirth or consequences, if necessary, such as place and order
of birth, nationality of child, age of mother, abstention from
work.
Child maintenance. Conditions of eligibility pertaining to
children, such as age, number, residence, etc.
Incapacity for work, (a) Sickness : temporary incapacity ; waiting period; exclusion of incapacity due to employment injury, etc.
(b) Invalidity: definition or degree of incapacity giving rise to
benefit (e.g., 85 per cent, permanent incapacity for work; loss of
two thirds of general earning capacity; total incapacity having
already lasted 26 weeks, etc.). Possible exclusion of invalidity due to
employment injury, (c) Employment injury: where a distinction
is made between temporary and permanent incapacity, criteria
of permanent incapacity giving rise to benefit.
Unemployment. Capacity and availability for employment,
waiting period, etc.
Old age. Pensionable age; retirement condition.

DEFINITION OF CONTINGENCIES AND BENEFITS

Funeral. Status of the deceased before his death, e.g., employed, pensioner, dependant, etc. Possible exclusion of employment injury.
Death of breadwinner. Conditions concerning survivors entitled
to benefit, such as relationship to deceased and reason of dependency, e.g., invalidity, responsibility for children, age of widow,
incapacity for work of widower, age of children, etc. Possible
exclusion of death due to employment injury.
Qualifying Conditions.
Duration of residence or employment, or number of contributions.
Rate and Duration of Benefit.
The term " allowance " designates a periodical payment and
the term " grant " a single payment. No absolute figures are
given: where the benefit is proportionate to earnings, the percentage
is stated. Where this is not the case, a statement is made that the
allowance or grant is at a flat rate, specifying, if relevant, that
this rate is lower for certain groups than for others (e.g., lower for
women than for men). Where benefit is reduced by earnings,
income, or property in excess of prescribed amounts, this is mentioned. The maximum benefit period, if any, is indicated and
conditions for continuance of benefit, such as residence in the
country, are specified.
Condition Requiring Medical Care
The summary indicates, under a heading designating the
category of persons protected, the nature and extent of the care
granted. Where the care provided includes general practitioner
and specialist care, hospital care and pharmaceutical benefits, the
words " medical care " are used to convey this fact. Where there
is cost sharing on the part of the beneficiary, the extent of such
cost sharing is stated. Qualifying conditions, if any, and maximum
duration of benefit are given.
Maintenance of Community Health
Measures taken under social security schemes for the maintenance of the health of the persons protected, such as maternity
and child welfare services, research, prevention of disease, health
education, etc., are summarised under headings designating the
category of persons protected.

100

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

MATERNITY
Argentine Republic.
Employees, (a) Grant for medical care: flat rate, increasing progressively by 20 per cent, with each child, (b) Maternity allowance:
abstention from work during period falling between 30 days before and
45 days after confinement, 100 per cent, of basic earnings; payable for
two and a half months, (c) Layette for every child.
Australia.
Residents. Birth in Australia; grant at flat rate for each birth,
increased by one fifteenth for second and third child, and by one sixteenth for fourth and subsequent children ; supplement for each additional
child in case of multiple birth.
Austria.
Employees, (a) Grant at flat rate for each birth, (b) Maternity
allowance : (i) nationals (with exception of domestic servants) : 100 per
cent, of average earnings during three preceding months (13 weeks),
subject to prescribed minimum; payable for six weeks before and six
weeks after confinement; for nursing mothers payable for eight weeks
after confinement; in case of premature birth payable for 12 weeks
after confinement; (ii) other 'employees: allowance equal to sickness
allowance subject to prescribed minimum but, if insured woman abstains
from work, allowance equal to one and a half times sickness allowance
payable before confinement; payable for four weeks before and six weeks
after confinement ; allowance equal to sickness allowance may be paid for
six weeks of pregnancy in case of incapacity for work, (c) Nursing
allowance: (i) nationals (with exception of domestic servants): flat rate
payable for 26 weeks; (ii) other employees: flat rate equal to half
sickness allowance, subject to prescribed minimum; payable for 26 weeks;
rate reduced to prescribed minimum after 12th week; special scheme
for employees working under contract in public services.
Independent workers. Prescribed qualifying conditions: (a) grant
at flat rate for each birth ; (b) maternity allowance : rate varies according to wage class ; (c) nursing allowance : flat rate payable for 13 weeks
(may be extended to 26 weeks).
Unemployed. Same benefits as employed non-nationals, but unemployment allowance forms basis for calculation of benefits.
Dependants of employees, unemployed and pensioners, (a) Grant at
flat rate for each birth, (b) Maternity allowance at flat rate; may
be increased by rules of sickness fund to half sickness allowance ; payable
for four weeks before and six weeks after confinement. A special
pregnancy allowance may be provided by rules of sickness fund, payable
for six weeks before the confinement in case of incapacity for work.
(c) Nursing allowance: flat rate payable for 12 weeks; may be extended to 26 weeks by rules of sickness fund.
Belgium.
Residents. Voluntary insurance. Qualifying conditions fixed by
recognised mutual benefit societies. Grant on confinement and allowance during abstention from work; rate fixed by societies, subject to
specified minimum.

BENEFITS PROVIDED:

MATERNITY

101

Gainfully occupied, unemployed and pensioners. Grant at flat rate
for each birth, reduced by 50 per cent, for second and subsequent
children.
Employees, (a) Grant to cover expenses of normal confinement,
including fee to doctor or midwife, (b) Maternity allowance: 10 months'
insurance; abstention from work for period falling between six weeks
before and six weeks after confinement; 60 per cent, of assumed earnings based on income classes.
Bolivia.
Employees and members of producers' co-operatives, (a) Maternity
allowance payable for period before and after confinement, on condition
of abstention from work, (b) Nursing allowance, in cash or in kind,
payable for eight months.
Brazil.
Employees in industry, commerce, transport, public services, etc.
Occupational schemes. Maternity allowance : 26 to 52 weekly contributions in preceding year 1 ; 50 per cent, of basic earnings; payable for
four weeks before and four weeks after confinement.
Bulgaria.
Employees and members of producers' co-operatives, (a) Grant:
20 weekly contributions completed one month before confinement, or
40 in preceding two years; 10 times daily basic earnings, (b) Maternity allowance: eight uninterrupted weekly contributions completed one
month before confinement; 100 per cent, of basic earnings; payable for
three months, (c) Nursing allowance: 20 per cent, of basic earnings;
payable for six months.
Urban independent workers. Maternity allowance: two monthly
contributions completed one month before confinement; 100 per cent.
of basic earnings; payable for three months.
Canada.
Residents of insufficient private means (two provinces). Nominal grant.
Chile.
Manual employees and independent workers, (a) Maternity allowance: 50 per cent, of basic earnings; payable for two weeks before and
two weeks after confinement, (b) Nursing allowance: 10 per cent, of
basic earnings; payable for 12 months.
Colombia.
Employees and independent workers of small means, (a) Maternity
allowance: 12 weekly contributions in nine months preceding pre-natal
rest; 100 per cent, of basic earnings, conditional on abstention from
work; payable for four weeks before and four weeks after confinement.
(b) Nursing benefit in kind (milk or powdered milk) for child not fed
by mother; granted for six months.
1

If not otherwise specified, " preceding " means preceding confinement.

102

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

Cuba.
Urban employees. Maternity allowance: five monthly contributions
in preceding two years; allowance at rates varying according to basic
earnings, subject to prescribed maximum and minimum; payable for
six weeks before and six weeks after confinement.
Czechoslovakia.
Gainfully occupied and workers in family employment, pensioners,
unemployed and their dependants, (a) Grant at flat rate for each birth.
(b) For gainfully occupied and workers in family employment with at
least 270 days' insurance in preceding two years, allowance at rates
according to income classes; abstention from insurable occupation;
payable for 18 weeks.
Denmark.
Residents of small means. Maternity allowance: 10 months' membership ; allowance at rate of sickness benefit ; flat rates varying according to contributions paid, not exceeding 80 per cent, of average earnings ;
prescribed minimum and maximum; payable for two weeks.
A flat-rate allowance may be paid for the period before confinement
during which the woman abstains from work on medical grounds, and
after confinement for period during which she is legally prohibited from
working, or during which she abstains from work because she is nursing
her child.
Dominican Republic.
Employees, (a) Maternity allowance: 30 weekly contributions in
preceding 10 months; 50 per cent, of basic earnings; payable for six
weeks before and six weeks after confinement, (b) Nursing allowance :
10 per cent, of basic earnings; payable for eight months.
Ecuador.
Non-manual employees. Maternity allowance : six monthly contributions in preceding 12 months; 75 per cent, of average basic earnings;
payable for three weeks before and four weeks after confinement.
Manual employees. Maternity allowance: 26 weekly contributions
in preceding 12 months; same rate and duration of allowance as for
non-manual employees, above.
Finland.
Residents. Grant at flat rate for each birth, paid partly in clothing
and equipment.
France.
Residents. Birth in France of child of French nationality; the
mother must not exceed specified age or the child must be born within
specified period after marriage. Grant: for first child three times
highest basic monthly wage in department of residence; for each subsequent child twice highest basic monthly wage in department of
residence.
Gainfully occupied and persons giving proof of inability to engage in
gainful occupation. Pre-natal allowance payable at rate of family allowance where child will be eligible for such allowance; or otherwise at

BENEFITS PROVIDED: MATERNITY

103

rate of 20 per cent, of basic wage fixed by law for the calculation of
family allowances. Payable for nine months of pregnancy.
Urban employees and dependants. 10 months' insurance prior to
confinement; 60 hours of employment during quarter preceding first
medical diagnosis of pregnancy, or equivalent period of unemployment.
(a) Allowance for insured persons: 50-662/3 per cent, of earnings;
payable for six weeks before and eight weeks after confinement.
(b) Nursing allowance for insured persons : flat-rate allowance ; payable
during nursing; if mother unable to nurse child herself, allowance at
flat rate varying with type of milk necessary.
Agricultural employees, their wives and dependants. Eight monthly
contributions during the four quarters preceding that of confinement.
(a) Maternity allowance for insured persons: flat rates according to
income classes; payable for six weeks before and six weeks after confinement. (b) Maternity grant: lump sum on confinement, (c) Nursing allowance: as for urban employees and their dependants, above.
Greece.
Urban employees. 50 days' urban employment in preceding
12 months and 200 days' employment in preceding two years, (a) Maternity allowance: 33-69 per cent, of earnings under ceiling received
during last 20 days of work, according to income classes; abstention
from work; payable for six weeks before and six weeks after confinement. (b) Nursing allowance: same rate as maternity allowance;
payable for 60 days.
Different provisions for employees covered by fund other than
Central Social Insurance Institution.
Guatemala.
Gainfully occupied, (a) Maternity allowance: proportional to earnings as determined by future regulations; payable for period before and
after confinement, (b) Nursing allowance: to be determined by
future regulations.
Haiti.
Employees. Maternity allowance: 17 weekly contributions during
preceding six months; allowance equal to 50 per cent, of basic earnings;
payable for 42 days preceding or following confinement.
Hungary.
Urban employees and their dependants. Nine months' insurance in
preceding 24 months, (a) Pregnancy allowance: 10 per cent, of earnings; payable during six weeks before confinement, (b) Confinement
grant : payable at time of confinement, whether child living or stillborn.
(c) Maternity allowance: 100 per cent, of earnings; payable for six
weeks after confinement; for dependants, lump sum on birth of child,
whether living or stillborn.
Agricultural employees and their dependants. Nine months' insurance in preceding 24 months ; grant at flat rate.
Iceland.
Resident nationals. Grant at flat rate, higher for housewives than
for gainfully occupied women, and varying with national cost of living.

104

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

Employees. Maternity allowance: flat rate varying with cost of
living; payable for six weeks before and six weeks after confinement;
for married woman, payable only if husband is unable to maintain
home.
India.
Factory employees of small earnings. Maternity allowance : contributions paid for two thirds the number of contribution weeks, during contribution period of 26 weeks corresponding to benefit period, subject to
minimum of 12 contributions; at least one contribution should have been
paid between 35 and 40 weeks before the week in which the confinement
takes place or notice of pregnancy is given, whichever is more advantageous to the insured person; abstention from work; flat rate; payable
for 12 weeks, of which not more than six precede confinement.
Iran.
Urban manual employees. Maternity allowance: 100 per cent, of
earnings; payable for eight weeks; 50 per cent, of earnings payable for
further four weeks if necessary.
Ireland.
Manual employees and non-manual employees of small means, and
their dependants. 42 weeks since entry into insurance, and 42 weekly
contributions; grant in virtue of employee's own insurance and/or in
virtue of husband's insurance.
Italy.
Urban employees. Grant at flat rate for each birth; special flat-rate
grant under separate scheme may be granted to non-manual employees
if economy of institute permits; special grants may also be made to
employees in need ; special schemes for employees in commerce, banking
and insurance.
Agricultural employees. Maternity allowance: flat rates varying
according to category of employment; payable for 15 days; grant at
flat rate payable in case of multiple birth.
Luxembourg.
Employees and other nationals gainfully occupied. Birth in Luxembourg; grant at flat rate for each birth, higher for first child.
Manual employees, and non-manual employees of small earnings.
(a) Maternity allowance : 50 per cent, of basic earnings ; abstention from
work; payable for six weeks before and six weeks after confinement.
(b) Nursing allowance: 25 per cent, of maternity allowance; payable
for 12 weeks.
Mexico.
Employees and members of producers' co-operatives, (a) Maternity
allowance: 30 weekly contributions in preceding 10 months; about
40 per cent, of average basic earnings, conditional on abstention from
work; payable for 42 days before and 42 days after confinement, increased by 150 per cent, for eight last days before and 30 days after
confinement, (b) Nursing allowance: 30 weekly contributions in
preceding 10 months; 50 per cent, of maternity allowance; payable for
six months, (c) Layette for every child.

BENEFITS PROVIDED: MATERNITY

105

Netherlands.
Employees of small earnings and unemployed, (a) Grant at flat
rate, (b) Maternity allowance: 100 per cent, of basic earnings; payable
for six weeks before and not less than six weeks after confinement; or
if incapacity for work results, for 52 weeks.
Dependants of employees of small earnings and of unemployed. Grant
at flat rate.
Norway.
Residents of small means and wives of voluntarily insured persons.
Voluntary insurance; 10 months' membership, (a) For insured woman,
allowance at rates according to income classes, subject to prescribed
minimum; payable for six weeks before and six weeks after confinement.
(b) For wife of insured man, grant at flat rate.
Employees of small means, unemployed and their dependants. Qualifying conditions and benefits as for residents of small means and wives
of voluntarily insured persons, above.
Panama.
Employees, and independent workers of small means. Maternity
allowance: 39 weekly contributions in preceding 12 months; 50 per
cent, of basic earnings; payable for six weeks before and six weeks after
confinement.
Peru.
Employees of small means. Four weekly contributions in preceding
180 days, (a) Maternity allowance: 70 per cent, of basic earnings;
payable for 36 days before and 36 days after confinement, (b) Nursing
allowance: 30 per cent, of basic earnings; payable for eight months;
special scheme for non-manual employees.
Poland.
Employees. Four months' membership in preceding 12 months.
(a) Maternity allowance: 100 per cent, of earnings; payable for 12
weeks, eight of which are after confinement, (b) Nursing allowance:
value of one litre of milk per day; payable for 12 weeks after termination
of maternity allowance, (c) Layette.
Dependants of employees, (a) Nursing allowance : value of half a litre
of milk per day; payable for 12 weeks, (b) Layette.
El Salvador.
Gainfully occupied, (a) Maternity allowance: percentage of basic
earnings, payable for six weeks before and six weeks after confinement
on condition of abstention from work, to be determined by future
regulations, (b) Nursing allowance: in kind or in cash if mother is
unable to nurse child herself, subject to future regulations.
Sweden.
Resident nationals of small income, (a) Grant at flat rate if
taxable income does not exceed prescribed amount, (b) Layette,
nutritious food, dental care in case of need.

106

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

Switzerland.
Residents or residents of small means. Compulsory or voluntary
according to canton or municipality; benefits prescribed by Federal
law; qualifying conditions according to Federal law; on date of confinement, not less than nine months' insurance not interrupted by more than
three months, (a) Maternity allowance: prescribed minimum; earnings
deducted'; payable for at least six weeks, (b) Nursing grant: prescribed minimum where mother nurses child for at least 10 weeks.
Resident nationals of insufficient means. Assistance by municipality
of origin, subject to means test.
Turkey.
Urban employees, (a) Maternity allowance: 66 a / 3 per cent, of
earnings in third calendar month before confinement; abstention
from work ; payable for three weeks before and six weeks after confinement. (b) Nursing allowance at flat rate.
Dependants of urban employees. Nursing allowance at flat rate to
wife of insured man.
United Kingdom.
Residents. 26 weekly contributions paid since entry into insurance,
and 26 paid or credited during last contribution year, (a) Grant
at flat rate for each child, (b) Attendance allowance: flat rate, payable
for four weeks from date of confinement.
Gainfully occupied women. 45 weekly contributions paid or credited in preceding 12 months, of which 26 must either have been
actually paid or else have been credited during employment or work on
own account while exercising option as married woman to be excepted
from paying contributions. Maternity allowance : flat rate, higher than
for residents; abstention from gainful work; payable for 13 weeks,
starting six weeks before confinement.
Persons of insufficient means. Assistance grant equal to excess of
computed requirements over resources, excluding maternity grant and
other resources legally disregarded.
United States.
Urban employees (Rhode Island). Unemployment due to sickness
resulting from pregnancy. Must have earned specified minimum aggregate amount during preceding year. Weekly allowance equal to about
5 per cent, of highest quarterly earnings in preceding year; potential
duration related to aggregate earnings in preceding year, with maximum
of 15 weeks, or 26 weeks in case of complications.
Railway employees. Special benefits during period commencing
about eight weeks before and ending eight weeks after confinement.
Must have earned specified minimum aggregate amount during preceding year. Allowance graduated in relation to aggregate earnings in
preceding year, average about 75 per cent, of regular full-time pay.
Allowance 50 per cent, higher during first two weeks of benefit and
during two weeks immediately following confinement than during rest
of benefit period. Payable for maximum of 115 days (16 weeks) not
deductible from duration for sickness benefits. Disabilities due to
pregnancy not excluded from regular sickness benefits.

BENEFITS PROVIDED : CHILD MAINTENANCE

107

Uruguay.
Employees in industry, commerce, public utilities, etc. Grant at fiat
rate for each birth.
Venezuela.
Urban employees. Maternity allowance: 13 weekly contributions
of which four in first quarter of preceding year. 66% per cent, of
basic earnings. Payable for six weeks before and six weeks after
confinement.

Australia.

CHILD MAINTENANCE

Residents. First and each subsequent child under 16, and, if a girl,
unmarried; allowance at flat rate per child; payable during residence in
Australia.
Austria.
Employees, unemployed and pensioners. Flat-rate allowance for
children up to the age of 21 (25 for apprentices or students), provided
that child is not gainfully occupied. For full orphans, allowance to
apprentices under 25 years of age and not in public assistance institution.
Belgium.
Gainfully occupied and pensioners. First and each subsequent child
under school-leaving age, or under 18 if student or apprentice, or without
age limit if invalid. Allowance at flat rate per child rising progressively
after second child to maximum for fifth and subsequent children.
Persons who are entitled to an invalidity pension in respect of incapacity
of at least 66 per cent, and persons permanently incapacitated by at
least 66 per cent, as the result of an employment injury are entitled to
family allowances at increased rates. Supplementary allowance where
mother remains at home and is not gainfully occupied. For independent
workers, family allowances graduated as for employees, but rates lower.
Rate increased for half orphans; further increased for full orphans;
payable during residence in Belgium.
Bulgaria.
Employees, members of producers' co-operatives and pensioners. Allowance for dependent children to be fixed by Decree. The pensions
awarded to employees and members of producers' co-operatives by
personal right entitle to family allowances at the rate provided for
employees.
Canada.
Residents. First and each subsequent child under 16. Child must
be attending school in accordance with provincial law and, if a girl, must
be unmarried. Allowance at rate varying with age of child; minimum
payable for child under six, maximum for child over 12.
Czechoslovakia.
Employees. 45 days' insurance or equivalent periods in quarter, or
90 days in six months. First and each subsequent child under 16 (may
be extended to 25). Allowance at flat rate, increasing with number of
children; payable during residence in Czechoslovakia.
8

108

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

Finland.
Residents. First and each subsequent child under 16, or under 17 if
incapable of work. Allowance at flat rate per child; payable in addition
to allowance for large families of small means.
Resident nationals of small means. Fourth and each subsequent child
under 16, or under 20 if student, or without age limit if invalid; second
and each subsequent child if breadwinner is dead or invalid. Allowance at flat rate per child, varying with local cost of living; may be paid
partly in kind.
France.
Gainfully occupied, pensioners, unemployed and students. In principle the allowances are the same for all occupational and legal categories.
Second and each subsequent child under 15, or under 17 if apprenticed,
or under 20 if student, sick or invalid. Allowances as percentage of a
basic wage, which varies according as the beneficiary is an employee or
not, and according to residence; 20 per cent, for two children, plus
30 per cent, for each subsequent child. Where there is only one employed breadwinner in a family, supplementary single wage allowance
payable for each child: 10 to 20 per cent, for first child; 40 per cent.
for two children; 50 per cent, for three or more children. Housing
allowances are granted, subject to minimum income and minimum
rent conditions.
Hungary.
Employées. 15 days' employment during current month. Allowance for children up to age 16. If child continues his studies or receives
vocational training, allowance up to age 24. If child physically or
mentally disabled and thus incapable of earning a livelihood, allowance
payable irrespective of age. Flat-rate allowance for each child, increasing progressively with number of children in family.
Iceland.
Resident nations. Fourth and each subsequent child under 16.
Allowance at flat rate per child, varying with local and national cost of
living. Not payable for children for whom supplements to pensions
are payable, or for orphans.
Ireland.
Residents. For non-nationals, residence during preceding two years.
Third and each subsequent child under 16. Allowance at flat rate per
child.
Italy.
Employees. For manual employees, first and each subsequent child
under 14; for non-manual employees, under 18. In both cases extended
to 21 if student, or without age limit if invalid. Allowance at flat
rate, which varies according to whether the beneficiary is the wife or
dependent child and according to number of dependants, category of
employment, and branch of economic activity.
Luxembourg.
Employees. First and each subsequent child under 18. Allowance at
flat rate per child, varying with cost of living. Payable during receipt
of short-term benefits.

BENEFITS PROVIDED: CHILD MAINTENANCE

109

Netherlands.
Employees, pensioners and unemployed. First and each subsequent
child under 16, or under 21 if student. Allowance at flat rate per child,
increasing with fourth and subsequent children; payable for not more
than 78 days per quarter; payable during receipt of short-term benefits.

New Zealand.
Residents. First and each subsequent child under 16, or without age
limit if invalid. Allowance at flat rate per child.
Norway.
Resident nationals. One parent must be national. Second and each
subsequent child under 16; for families in which only one parent is
present, first and each subsequent child under 16. Allowance at flat rate
per child.
Poland.
Employees and pensioners. First and each subsequent dependent
child, including grandchildren, brothers and sisters, adopted children
and other children brought up. Under 16 years; under 24 if students;
without age limit if incapable of work. Allowance at flat rate per
child, increasing progressively up to third child, then constant. Not
payable concurrently with other social insurance cash benefits, orphans'
allowances, etc. Flat-rate allowance for wife if she cares for children
of employees and does not work herself.
Portugal.
Employees in commerce, industry, liberal professions, public service,
corporative institutions and persons engaged in fishing. First and each
subsequent child to age 14, or 21 if student, or without age limit if
invalid. Flat-rate allowance per child varying with category of employment.
El Salvador.
Gainfully occupied. Dependent child under 16, regular attendant
at school after attaining age of six, apprentice or proceeding with
secondary studies. Provision of meals and clothing, according to
number of children, to be determined by future regulations, which will
also fix maxima for number of children and for earnings above which
no benefits granted.
Sweden.
Residents. First and subsequent child under 16. Allowance at
flat rate per child; payable in addition to children's supplements to
other social security benefits, and in addition to allowances to guardians
of orphans.
Switzerland.
Employees. Five cantonal compulsory schemes. First and each
subsequent child or second and each subsequent child generally up to
age 18, or 20-21 if students or invalids. Allowance at flat rate per child.
Agricultural employees. Federal scheme. Allowances at flat rates
for (a) household; (b) each child under 15. Total allowance subject
to prescribed maximum.

110

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

Mountain farmers of small means. Federal scheme. Farmers with
12 head of cattle or less. Children under 15. Small farms: one or
more children; medium-sized farms: two or more children; large farms:
three or more children. Allowance at flat rate per child, being same
rate as for agricultural employees, above.
Resident nationals of insufficient means. Assistance by municipality
of origin, subject to means test.
United Kingdom.
Residents. For nationals, 26 weeks of recent residence; 156 weeks
for aliens. Second and each subsequent child under compulsory school
age (15 in Great Britain, 14 in Northern Ireland) or over that age up to
31 July following 16th birthday if continuing under full-time instruction at school or if apprenticed. Allowance at flat rate per child.
Uruguay.
Employees in industry, commerce and public utilities. Each dependent child, brother or sister, or orphan, under 14, or under 16 if
student. Allowance at flat rate per child.
CONDITION REQUIRING MEDICAL CARE1
Argentine Republic.
Employees.

Maternity
Medical care at State or private maternity hospitals.

Condition Requiring Medical Care
Not Covered by Other Scheme
Residents of insufficient means. Medical care.
Australia.
Condition Requiring Medical Care
Residents. Pharmaceutical benefits. Free in-patient treatment in
public wards in public hospitals and a hospital benefit of 8s. per day
towards cost of treatment in approved private hospitals and nonpublic wards in public hospitals. Special benefits and care for sufferers
from tuberculosis. Free treatment for patients in mental institutions.
Employment Injury
Employees of small earnings. State schemes. Costs of medical
care, subject to prescribed maxima.
Austria.
Sickness
Employees, independent workers, pensioners and unemployed. Medical
care. Hospital care for 26 weeks (may be extended to 52 weeks).
Part of cost of dentures according to rules of sickness fund. Funds
may grant care in sanatoria and convalescent homes and home nursing.
1
The term " medical care " is used in all cases where at least care by
general practitioners and specialists, hospital care and pharmaceutical supplies
are furnished.

BENEFITS P R O V I D E D : CONDITION REQUIRING MEDICAL CARE

111

Dependants of employees, of pensioners and of unemployed. Payment
of up to 50 per cent, of cost of medical and dental care, and of medicaments; may be increased to 100 per cent, by rules of sickness fund.
Hospital care up to 26 weeks according to rules of fund. Part of cost
of dentures according to rules of fund, except for dependants of pensioners. Funds may grant care in sanatoria and convalescent homes
and home nursing.
Invalidity
Employees. Medical care.
Employment Injury
Employees and independent workers.1 Medical care and rehabilitation.
Maternity
Employees, independent workers, pensioners, unemployed and their
dependants. Medical and obstetrical care, medicaments, cures and care
furnished in maternity homes in place of the maternity allowance.
Belgium.
Sickness, Invalidity and Maternity
Residents. Voluntarily insured persons and dependants. Nature
and extent of care and qualifying conditions fixed by recognised mutual
benefit societies, subject to prescribed minima.
Employees, pensioners, unemployed and their dependants. For persons under 25 years, three months' covered employment; for persons
over 25 years, six months' employment. Longer qualifying conditions
for pensioners. Prescribed minimim contribution. Medical care : costsharing 25 to 33 y3 per cent, of tariff rate for general practitioner and
general dental care.
Employment Injury
Employees. Medical care in case of industrial accident; grant to
cover cost of treatment in case of occupational disease.
Bolivia.
Maternity, Sickness and Invalidity
Employees and members of producers'1 co-operatives and their dependants. Medical care, subject to future regulations.
Employment Injury
Employees and members of producers'" co-operatives. Medical care.
Condition Requiring Medical Care
Not Covered by Other Scheme
Residents of insufficient means. Medical care.
Brazil.
Condition Requiring Medical Care
Employees in industry, commerce, transport, public services, etc.
Medical care.
1

Certain categories only.

112

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

Condition Requiring Medical Care
Not Covered by Other Scheme
Residents of insufficient means. Medical care.
Bulgaria.
Maternity and Sickness
Employees, members of producers' co-operatives, urban independent
workers, pensioners and their dependants. Medical care. Duration
dependent on contribution period as follows: less than eight weeks or
two months: six months; eight weeks (or two months) or 52 weeks in
last two years: nine months; 156 weeks (or three years) in last five
years: 12 months. Tuberculosis: no limit.
Employment Injury
Employees and members of producers'1 co-operatices. Medical care.
Canada.
Sickness
Residents. Two provinces and parts of third province: hospital
services, conditional on regular payment of hospital tax. Payment of
physicians' services, other than those provided by hospital, not included.
Domiciliary physician services included in part of one of these provinces. Certain areas of two provinces: municipal hospital services.
Fart of one province: medical care.
Sickness and Invalidity
Residents of insufficient means. Three provinces: medical care.
Two provinces: limited medical care. Indians and Eskimos: medical
care.
Employment Injury
Urban employees. Provincial schemes. Medical, surgical, nursing
and hospital care and prosthetic appliances or cost thereof.
Maternity
Residents. Hospitalisation as for sickness (see above) in two provinces; special maternity hospitalisation scheme in third province.
Chile.
Residents.

Condition Requiring Medical Care
Medical care.

Sickness and Invalidity
Manual employees and independent workers. Annual medical
examination and general medical care provided for 26 weeks (may
be extended to 52). No time limit for tuberculosis or heart or venereal
diseases (Preventive Medicine Law). Special schemes for non-manual
employees.
Children under two years of manual employees and independent
workers. Medical care.

BENEFITS PROVIDED: CONDITION REQUIRING MEDICAL CARE

Employees.

Employment
Medical care.

113

Injury

Maternity
Employees and independent workers and their dependants.
care.

Obstetrical

Colombia.
Sickness and Invalidity
Employees and independent workers of small means.
contributions. Medical care provided for 180 days.
Employment Injury
Employees and independent workers of small means.

Five weekly

Medical care.

Maternity
Employees and independent workers of small means and their dependants. Five weekly contributions. Obstetrical care.
Condition Requiring Medical Care
Not Covered by Other Scheme
Residents of insufficient means. Medical care.
Cuba.
Employees.

Employment
Medical care.

Urban employees.

Injury

Maternity
Obstetrical care under special maternity scheme.

Condition Requiring Medical Care
Not Covered by Other Scheme
Residents of insufficient means. Medical care.
Czechoslovakia.
Condition Requiring Medical Care
Gainfully occupied and workers in family employment, pensioners,
unemployed and their dependants. Medical care, treatment in sanatorium, spa, etc. Domestic help.
Denmark.
Sickness
Residents of small means and dependent children. Six weeks' membership. General practitioner care, hospital care, specified pharmaceutical
benefits. Additional benefits may be granted. Medical care provided
for 60 weeks in three consecutive years. Cost sharing for pharmaceutical supplies.
Invalidity
Resident nationals. Therapeutic appliances, treatment and vocational
retraining may be given.

114

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

Employment Injury
Employees and persons of small means working on own account.
Dressings, prosthetic appliances, etc. If injured person is member
of sick fund or benefit society, cost of any special medical treatment
not provided by fund or society which directorate considers necessary.
Maternity
Residents of small means.
confinement.

10 months' membership.

Attendance at

Dominican Republic.
Sickness, Invalidity and Employment
Employees. Medical care for 26 weeks.

Injury

Maternity
Employees. 15 weekly contributions in preceding 10 months.
Obstetrical care.
Dependants of employees. 30 weekly contributions in preceding
10 months. Obstetrical care.
Condition Requiring Medical Care
Not Covered by Other Scheme
Residents of insufficient means. Medical care.
Ecuador.
Condition Requiring Medical Care
Employees and pensioners. Medical care for 26 weeks.
Condition Requiring Medical Care
Not Covered by Other Scheme
Residents of insufficient means. Medical care.
Egypt.
Employment Injury
Employees of small earnings. Medical care in Government hospital.
If no hospital in neighbourhood, employer pays all expenses.
Finland.
Invalidity
Resident nationals of small means. Persons who are seriously handicapped by infirmity in earning their living: medical rehabilitation
including supply of artificial limbs. Vocational training and placement.
Employees.
Residents.

Employment Injury
Medical care, including artificial limbs.
Maternity
Obstetrical care at health centres.

BENEFITS PROVIDED: CONDITION REQUIRING MEDICAL CARE 1 1 5

riauCè.

Short-term Sickness
Urban employees, pensioners, students, unemployed and their dependants. Required to have registered and worked for 60 hours during
three months preceding first medical diagnosis of disease or date of
accident, or equivalent period of unemployment. Medical care provided
for six months (may be extended in certain cases). Cost sharing 20 per
cent, of tariff except for major items.
Agricultural employees and their dependants. Four monthly contributions during the preceding two quarters or eight monthly contributions during the preceding four quarters. Medical care provided for
six months (may be extended in certain cases).
Long-term Sickness
Urban employees and their dependants. One year's membership.
240 hours of work during the year, of which 60 in quarter preceding
that in which the first medical diagnosis of the sickness was made, or
equivalent period of unemployment. Medical care provided for three
years, unless extended where care maintains beneficiary in state of
health compatible with exercise of gainful occupation.
Invalidity
Invalidity pensioners. Same qualifying conditions as for long-term
sickness. Medical care without time limit for the sickness causing the
invalidity.
Employees.

Employment Injury
Medical care, including prosthesis and orthopaedy.

Maternity
Urban employees, pensioners, students, unemployed and ¡heir dependants. 60 hours' work during three months preceding first medical
diagnosis of pregnancy, or equivalent period of unemployment, and
10 months' membership prior to presumed date of confinement. Obstetrical care, including pre- and post-natal examinations.
Agricultural employees and their dependants. Contributions during
four quarters of a sum equal to eight monthly contributions. Obstetrical care.
Condition Requiring Medical Care
Not Covered by Other Scheme
Residents of insufficient means. Medical care, subject to a means
test.
Greece.
Sickness and Maternity
Urban employees, pensioners, and their dependants. Six months
since first entry into urban employment, and 50 days' urban employment in preceding 12 months unless incapacity due to accident; for
tuberculosis, 250 days' urban employment at any time. Suitable medical

116

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

attendance, necessary medicaments and ordinary therapeutic requisites;
cost sharing 20 per cent, for medicaments except for accidents.
Maternity care consists of pre-natal consultations, necessary medicaments, and flat-rate grant to cover expenses of delivery plus medical
attendance in case of complications.
Employees and pensioners entitled to hospitalisation and ambulance
services; also to additional benefits, including stay in sanatorium, special
therapeutic treatment and prosthesis with cost sharing up to 33 % per
cent., except for accidents.
Medical attendance during incapacity provided up to 180 days;
hospitalisation up to 36 months or until cure in orthopaedic cases.
Different provisions apply for persons covered by funds other than
Central Social Insurance Institution.
Invalidity and Employment
Urban employees.

Injury

Medical care as for sickness, above.

Guatemala.
Sickness, Invalidity and Maternity
Gainfully occupied. Medical care; subject to future regulations.
Employment Injury and Injury Due to
Non-Employ ment Accident
Gainfully occupied. Medical care. Medical rehabilitation in cases
of permanent incapacity.
Condition Requiring Medical Care
Not Covered by Other Scheme
Residents of insufficient means. Medical care.
Haiti.
Sickness
Employees and dependants. 17 weekly contributions during six preceding months. Medical care for 27 weeks. Medical care provided for
dependants on voluntary payment by insured person of supplementary
contribution.
Employment
Employees.
appliances.

Injury

Medical care, and supply of prosthetic and orthopaedic
Maternity

Employees. 17 weekly contributions during six preceding months.
Medical and obstetrical care, pharmaceutical benefits, and hospitalisation
at request of attending practitioner.
Condition Requiring Medical Care
Not Covered by Other Scheme
Resident nationals of insufficient means. Medical care.

BENEFITS PROVIDED: CONDITION REQUIRING MEDICAL CARE

117

Hungary.
Sickness, Invalidity and Maternity
Urban employees and their dependants. Medical care during membership, or subsequent 13 weeks, or while sickness, pregnancy or maternity
allowance payable. For insured persons, care continued after cessation
of cash allowances for remainder of maximum period for which sickness
allowance payable (one year) or, in case of tuberculosis, for two years
from onset of illness; for dependants, care continued for 13 weeks after
termination of sickness, pregnancy or maternity allowance paid to
insured person. Hospital care: for insured persons, one year (two years
for tuberculosis) ; for dependants, 60 days in one year (six months for
tuberculosis and 270 days for poliomyelitis).
Agricultural employees and their dependants. Four weekly contributions in the course of the two months preceding the onset of sickness.
In case of acute sickness, one week's membership only is required.
Medical care. In case of sickness occurring between 1 December and
31 March, allowance payable even if victim not employed, provided he
had been insured for at least 10 weeks during the calendar year ending
on 1 December. In latter case, hospitalisation not exceeding 60 days;
in other cases, hospitalisation not exceeding one year. Dependants: as
for dependants of urban employees.
Pensioners and their dependants. Medical care.

Employees.

Employment Injury
Medical care.

Iceland.
Condition Requiring Medical Care
Resident nationals. Full benefit conditional upon regular payment
of contributions. Medical care. Cost sharing, except for employment injury and for pensioners: patient pays 25 per cent, of general
practitioner and specialist out-patient care, 50 per cent, of medicines
other than those requisite for preserving life.
India.
Sickness, Maternity and Employment Injury
Factory employees of small earnings. Medical care on scale to be
determined by State Governments and Employees' State Insurance
Corporation. Medical benefit may be extended to families of insured
persons.
Iran.
Condition Requiring Medical Care
Urban manual employees and their dependants.
extent not yet determined.
Employment Injury
Urban manual employees. Cost of medical care.

Conditions and

118

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

Ireland.
Sickness
Manual employees and non-manual employees of small means. If,
after quinquennial actuarial valuation of its assets and liabilities, the
National Health Insurance Society possesses a surplus, it may use this
for provision of additional benefits, including part of cost of medical
care.
Italy.
Sickness and Maternity
Urban employees and their dependants. Medical care. Hospitalisation for 180 days; for dependants for 30 days. Non-manual employees
are, moreover, entitled to reimbursement of costs of surgical care up to
prescribed limit, and to cost of institutional care up to prescribed limit if
they choose non-approved institutions. Pharmaceutical benefits granted
only in case of incapacity for work. Special schemes for employees in
commerce, banking and insurance.
Agricultural employees, their dependants, share farmers and tenant
farmers. Medical care. Hospitalisation for 180 days; for chronic
disease, 180 days in three years. Pharmaceutical benefits only to insured
persons.
Urban unemployed. Medical care if sickness begins within six months
after cessation of work. Hospitalisation and maternity care granted if
birth or need for hospitalisation occurs within two months after cessation
of work.
Tuberculosis
Employees. Surgical care, pharmaceutical, preventive and postsanatorium care, rehabilitation.
Invalidity
Employees, share farmers, tenant farmers and pensioners (invalidity).
Medical and preventive care in order to prevent loss of working capacity.
Rehabilitation.
Employment Injury
Employees, share farmers, tenant farmers and working members
of their families. Medical care. Rehabilitation. For share farmers,
tenant farmers and working members of their families, costs are reimbursed only in case of need.
Luxembourg.
Sickness and Maternity
Manual employees, non-manual employees of small earnings, unemployed, pensioners and their dependants. Medical care. For dependants,
out-patient care without time limit; 50 per cent, of cost of pharmaceutical supplies ; hospital care may be granted by rules and regulations
of sick fund for 26 weeks. Cost sharing at flat rate per item of care or
per prescription.
Invalidity
Employees and pensioners. Medical care to prevent invalidity or
restore earning capacity.
Special scheme for private salaried employees.

BENEFITS PROVIDED: CONDITION REQUIRING MEDICAL CARE 1 1 9

Employment Injury
Employees and farmers. Medical care, including artificial limbs.
Mexico.
Sickness, Invalidity and Maternity
Employees and members of producers' co-operatives and their dependants. Medical care for 39 weeks.
Employment Injury
Employees and members of producers'1 co-operatives. Medical care.
Condition Requiring Medical Care
Not Covered by other Scheme
Residents of insufficient means. Medical care.
Netherlands.
Sickness and Maternity
Employees of small earnings, unemployed and their dependants.
Medical care. Out-patient care without time limit; hospital care for
42 days per case; for sanatorium care, a fixed amount per day is paid as
long as such care is required. Cost sharing for dental care, sanatorium
care and for appliances and artificial limbs, in excess of prescribed
amount.
Invalidity
Employees of small earnings, pensioners and unemployed. Medical
care at option of Insurance Institution where there is danger of permanent invalidity or prospect of recovery of working capacity.

Employees.

Employment
Medical care.

Injury

New Zealand.
Condition Requiring Medical Care
Residents. Medical care. Dental benefit currently provided only
for children under 16. Beneficiary pays portion of fee in excess of
prescribed rate.
Employment Injury
Employees. Cost of medical and surgical attendance not exceeding
prescribed maximum. Provision of prosthetic appliances and maintenance thereof for three years.
Norway.
Sickness and Maternity
Residents of small means and dependants of voluntarily insured persons. Voluntary insurance between ages of 15 and 70. Admission,
and coverage of dependants, may be subject to proof of good health.
Six weeks' membership. General practitioner, specialist, dental and

120'

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

hospital care. For maternity, attendance by midwife if at least
10 months' membership. Patient pays cost in excess of prescribed rate.
Employees of small means, unemployed and their dependants. Compulsory insurance. Medical care and attendance by midwife as above,
without qualifying period.
Employment Injury
Employees in industry, transport, building, forestry, etc. Medical care.

Panama.
Sickness and Maternity
Employees and independent workers of small means. 39 weekly contributions in preceding 12 months. Medical care. For sickness, care
provided for 26 weeks, may be extended to 52.
Condition Requiring Medical Care
Not Covered by Other Scheme
Residents of insufficient means. Medical care.
Peru.
Sickness
Employees of small means and pensioners. Four weekly contributions in preceding 120 days. Medical care for 26 weeks, may be extended
to 52. Special scheme for non-manual employees.
Invalidity
Pensioners.

Medical care.

Employees of small means.
180 days. Obstetrical care.

Maternity
Four weekly contributions in preceding

Condition Requiring Medical Care
Not Covered by Other Scheme
Residents of insufficient means. Medical care.
Poland.
Sickness, Invalidity and Maternity
Employees, pensioners and their dependants. No qualifying conditions for coverage. Medical care, care in sanatorium, dental care,
therapeutic and prosthetic appliances. Care without limit in duration
for employees and their dependants. Care continues up to 26 weeks
after termination of labour contract; if it appears that insured person
may regain his health this period may be prolonged to 39 weeks.
Employment Injury
Employees and landowners of small means.
prosthetic appliances.

Medical care and

BENEFITS PROVIDED." CONDITION REQUIRING MEDICAL CARE 1 2 1

Portugal.
Sickness, Invalidity and Maternity
Persons engaged in fishing. Care at dispensaries.
Sickness and Maternity
Employees in specified occupations, independent workers in such
activities, certain professional categories (lawyers, doctors). One contribution year. Medical care. Rules for hospitalisation not yet established. Cost sharing authorised by law.

Employees.

Employment
Medical care.

Injury

Condition Requiring Medical Care
Not Covered by Other Scheme
Residents of insufficient means. Medical care.
£1 Salvador.
Sickness
Dependants of gainfully occupied. Special children's medical care,
to be determined by future regulations.
Sickness, Invalidity and Employment Injury
Gainfully occupied. Medical care for 26 weeks (may be extended
to 52), to be determined by future regulations.
Maternity
Gainfully occupied. Pre-natal care, and obstetrical care during
six weeks before and six weeks after confinement, subject to future
regulations.
Condition Requiring Medical Care
Not Covered by Other Scheme
Residents of insufficient means. Medical care.

Sweden.
Sickness
Residents. Refund of 75 per cent, of cost of attendance by general
practitioner or specialist, including cost of travel of patient and doctor,
and X-ray examinations. Free hospital care and medicines free or at
low cost.
Invalidity
Resident nationals. Medical and vocational rehabilitation of claimant to, or beneficiaries of, invalidity benefits, at discretion of administrative authority.
Employees.

Employment Injury
Medical care, including artificial limbs.

122

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

Maternity
Residents. Attendance by midwife and hospital treatment.
and post-natal health control at health centres.

Pre-

Switzerland.
Sickness and Maternity
Residents or residents of small means. Cantonal or assimilated
schemes under Federal enabling law. Compulsory or voluntary.
Schemes cover 86 per cent, of insured population or 46 per cent, of all
residents, (a) General : qualifying period not more than three months'
insurance; medical care for not less than 180 days in period of 360 consecutive days; spectacles, prostheses, midwifery, dental care and hospital
maintenance not compulsory; cost sharing not exceeding 25 per cent.
where fund grants at least 270 days of care in period of 360 consecutive
days, (b) Tuberculosis: sanatorium care; contribution towards cost
of cure of not less than prescribed amount, which is lower for children
than for adults. Also cost of major surgical interventions and of
treatment by specific medicaments which are particularly costly, at
least up to prescribed amounts. Duration of benefit may not be limited
to less than 1,080 days in five consecutive years.
Sickness, Invalidity and Maternity
Resident nationals of insufficient means. Assistance by municipality
or canton of origin, subject to means test.
Employment Injury and Injury Due
to Non-Employment Accident
Employees in industry, building, and public and private transport.
Medical care.
Turkey.
Sickness
Urban employees. Medical care; duration of 90 days, which may
be extended to 180 days for persons insured at least 160 days during
preceding year or if avoidance or reduction of incapacity thereby seems
likely.
Employment Injury
Urban employees. Medical care for 52 weeks, which may be extended for another 12 weeks.
Maternity
Urban employees and their dependants. 90 days' insurance for
female employees and 160 days' insurance for husbands of wives claiming benefit, during year preceding confinement. Examination during
pregnancy and care at confinement.
Union of South Africa.
Condition Requiring Medical Care
Residents of small means. Provincial hospital schemes.

BENEFITS PROVIDED: CONDITION REQUIRING MEDICAL CARE

123

Employment Injury
Employees of small earnings. Non-Natives: medical care not exceeding one year or prescribed amount. Natives: medical care not
exceeding six months or prescribed amount, which is 25 per cent, of
above.
United Kingdom.
Condition Requiring Medical Care
Residents. Medical care, including general practitioner, hospital,
specialist, dental, ophthalmic, pharmaceutical and nursing services,
medical and surgical appliances. Domestic help, subject to reasonable
charges.
United States.
Sickness and Invalidity
Seafarers. Seafarer from ship registered in country who is ashore
in country is eligible during employment and for 90 days thereafter.
Medical care, including residential care with maintenance at marine
hospitals.
Employment Injury
Urban employees. State schemes and special Federal schemes.
Nearly two thirds of the State schemes and the Federal schemes provide for unlimited care. Remainder place limits on duration or on
monetary amount of care, or on both; time limits range from two
months to one year.

Uruguay.
Condition Requiring Medical Care
Residents of insufficient means. Medical care.
Venezuela.
Sickness
Urban employees and their dependants.
26 weeks.
Invalidity
Urban employees. Medical care.
Employment
Urban employees. Medical care.

Medical care provided for

Injury

Maternity
Urban employees and their dependants. 13 weekly contributions, of
which four in first quarter of year preceding childbirth. Obstetrical
care.
Condition Requiring Medical Care
Not Covered by Other Scheme
Residents of insufficient means. Medical care.
9

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INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

MAINTENANCE OF COMMUNITY HEALTH

Argentine Republic.
Residents. Measures for improvement of health and for prevention
of disease. Health education.
Australia.
Residents. Measures for improvement of health, including research
and maternal and child welfare, and for prevention of disease. Health
education.

Austria.
Employees, independent workers, pensioners, unemployed, and their
dependants. Measures for the prevention of sickness.
Belgium.
Employees, unemployed, pensioners, and their dependants. Preventive examinations. Special services for the discovery, diagnosis
and treatment of tuberculosis, cancer and mental diseases.
Chile.
Residents. Measures for the improvement of health and for pre
vention of disease. Child care.
Czechoslovakia.
Gainfully occupied and workers in family employment, pensioners,
unemployed, and their dependants. Measures of preventive care,
examinations, health education, research, recreation schemes.
Denmark.
Residents. Care of expectant and nursing mothers and young
children; vaccination and immunisation; prevention of illness; care
and after-care.
Finland.
Residents. Measures for improvement of health and prevention
of disease. Health visitors. Consultation centres for mothers, etc.
Health education.
France.
Employees, pensioners, unemployed, students and their dependants.
Preventive examinations. General health and social measures. Establishment of hospitals. Welfare measures for mothers and children.

Guatemala.
Residents. Measures for improvement of health and for prevention
of disease. Health education.

BENEFITS PROVIDED : MAINTENANCE OF COMMUNITY HEALTH

aungary.
Residents.

125

Preventive care.

Iceland.
Resident nationals. Maternal and child welfare. Prevention of
tuberculosis, venereal diseases, etc. Mental hygiene. Industrial hygiene
and safety. Inspection of housing and foodstuffs. Supervision of
health of school children Dietetic research.
India.
Factory employees of small earnings.
of health and of general welfare.

Measures for improvement

Italy.
Employees, share farmers, tenant farmers, pensioners and urban
unemployed and their dependants.
Preventive care. Special antituberculosis care.
Netherlands.
Employees of small earnings and unemployed.
vention of sickness.

Measures for pre-

Norway.
Residents. Measures for improvement of health. Control of
tuberculosis and of other communicable diseases, including vaccination
and immunisation.
Poland.
Employees, pensioners and their dependants. Preventive examinations and treatment. Services for early detection of disease, protection of mother and child. Provision of milk to all pregnant women,
to mothers for one year after confinement and to children up to age 14,
in all urban und industrial districts.
Portugal.
Residents. Measures for the prevention of disease. Care for
pregnant women and infants. Special measures against tuberculosis.
El Salvador.
Gainfully occupied and their dependants. Measures of preventive
care, with special attention to diseases of high incidence, subject to
future regulations.

United Kingdom.
Residents. Care of expectant and nursing mothers and young
children. Health visiting. Vaccination and immunisation. Prevention of illness, care and after-care. In some cases, reasonable charges,
adjusted to means, may be imposed for the services.

126

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

INCAPACITY FOR WORK
Argentine Republic.
Invalidity
Employees. Occupational schemes. Permanent mental or physical
incapacity for work. 10 years' employment; five if previously medically
examined. Allowance at rates based on income classes and on years
of employment; varying with different schemes.
Employment

Injury

Employees. (1) Occupational insurance schemes: permanent mental, or physical, incapacity for work. Allowance based on income
classes and on years of employment, varying with different schemes.
(2) Workmen's compensation scheme: (a) temporary incapacity:
allowance of 50 per cent, of earnings; (b) permanent partial incapacity:
grant equal to 1,000 times loss of daily earnings; (c) permanent
total incapacity: grant equal to earnings of last 1,000 days, subject
to a prescribed maximum.
Australia.
Sickness
Residents of insuffutisnt privata msans. Temporary incapacity due
to disease or accident entailing loss of income ; waiting period six days ;
one year's residence; allowance at flat rate, lower for single person
under 21. Supplements for dependent wife and one dependent child.
Reduced by income in excess of prescribed amount.
Invalidity
British residents of insufficient private means. Age 16 or over; permanent incapacity of 85 per cent, or permanent blindness; five years'
residence; allowance at flat rate. Supplements for dependent wife and
one dependent child. Reduced by income and property in excess of
prescribed amounts; allowable income higher for blind persons. Rehabilitation.
Employment Injury
Employees of small earnings. State schemes. Allowance usually
66% per cent, of earnings or fraction corresponding to loss of earning
capacity. Supplements for dependent wife and dependent children in
some States. In some States allowance for permanent total incapacity
subject to weekly maximum and to maximum aggregate amount. In
some other States, allowance at flat rate. For specified permanent
injuries, grants at flat rates. Supplementary pensions for miners.
Austria.
Sickness
Employees and unemployed. Waiting period three days. Allowance
of 50 per cent, of earnings based on income classes. Payable for
26 weeks; may be extended to 52 weeks by rules of sickness fund.
Supplement of up to 10 per cent, for dependent spouse, and up to 5 per

BENEFITS PROVIDED : INCAPACITY FOR WORK

127

cent, for each other dependant. Rate increased to 60 per cent, of
wages from seventh week of incapacity. Total allowance not to exceed
75 per cent, of basic earnings. If beneficiary receives at least half his
wages during incapacity, no allowance is paid, but the contributions are
reduced. During hospitalisation sickness allowance is not paid, but
dependants receive 50 per cent, of sickness allowance; this rate may be
increased by rules of fund to 66% per cent, of the sickness allowance,
and by supplements if there is more than one dependant but may not
exceed normal rate of sickness allowance. Rules of fund may provide
pocket-money for insured person.
For unemployed, sickness allowance is equal to unemployment
allowance.
Invalidity
Employees. Five contribution years. For non-manual employees,
incapacity of 50 per cent, or attainment of age 60 and unemployment
of one year. For manual employees, incapacity of 66% per cent.
Allowance consists of basic rate increased by 1.2 per cent, of basic wages
for each year of work. Supplement for each child up to age 18.
Rental supplement. Fixed minimum. Special scheme for miners.
Employment Injury
Employees, independent workers in agriculture and forestry and in
other specified occupations: (a) temporary incapacity: as for sickness,
above; (b) permanent incapacity of at least 20 per cent.: allowance
of 66-/3 per cent, of earnings under ceiling for total incapacity. Proportionate allowance for partial incapacity. Persons in receipt of
allowance equal to at least 50 per cent, of full allowance are entitled
to supplement of 10 per cent, for each dependent child. Supplement
where constant attendance required. Training and rehabilitation.
Belgium.
Sickness
Residents. Voluntary insurance; qualifying conditions and duration fixed by recognised mutual benefit societies; allowance at flat rates
fixed by societies, subject to prescribed minimum.
Employees. For persons under 25 years, three months' covered
employment; for persons over 25 years, six months' covered employment. Prescribed minimum contribution. Waiting period three days
for manual employee; 30 days for non-manual employee, for whom
employer is bound to pay remuneration for 30 days. Allowance of
60 per cent, of assumed earnings based on income classes; payable for
150 days. Special schemes for miners and seafarers.
Invalidity
Residents. Voluntary insurance; incapacity for work extending
beyond period for which sickness benefit paid; rate and duration of
allowance as for sickness, above.
Employees. Incapacity for work extending beyond 150 days.
Incapacity of 66% per cent. For persons under 25 years, three months'
employment; for persons over 25 years, six months' employment.
Allowance of 60 per cent, of assumed earnings based on income classes,
payable for first 150 days (from 151st to 300th day of incapacity);

128

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

thereafter 50 per cent, for persons with dependants, 33 y3 per cent, for
others. Specified minima varying with sex and family responsibilities.
Special schemes for miners and seafarers.
Employment Injury
Employees, (a) Temporary incapacity: allowance of 50 per cent.
of earnings, or fraction corresponding to loss of earning capacity. For
total incapacity, rate raised to 66% per cent, after 28 days, (b) Permanent incapacity: allowance of 66% per cent, of earnings, or fraction
corresponding to loss of earning capacity; earnings reckoned subject
to prescribed minimum and maximum; allowance increased where
constant attendance required.
Bolivia.
Sickness
Employees and members of producers'1 co-operatives. Allowance to
be determined by future regulations.
Invalidity
Employees and members of producers'' co-operatives. Five years'
employment. Allowance at flat rate, plus increment for each additional
year of employment after five. Supplements for dependants. Total
allowance not to exceed average earnings during last 24 contribution
months.
Employment Injury
Employees and members of producers' co-operatives, (a) Temporary
incapacity : allowance of 100 per cent, of earnings, payable for one year
for total incapacity, six months for partial incapacity, (b) Permanent
partial incapacity: allowance of 100 per cent, of earnings, payable for
18 months, (c) Permanent total incapacity: grant equal to two years'
earnings.
Brazil.
Sickness
Employees in industry, commerce, transport, public services, etc.
52 weekly contributions. Waiting period 15 days. Allowance of 66 per
cent, of average earnings, payable for one year.
Invalidity
Employees in industry, commerce, transport, public services, etc.
Occupational schemes; 18 monthly contributions; allowances varying
with different schemes from 66 per cent, of earnings of preceding
12 months to 80 per cent, of earnings of preceding three years.
Employment Injury
Employees in industry, commerce, transport, public services, etc.
(a) Temporary incapacity: allowance of 70 per cent, of earnings.
(b) Permanent incapacity: grant equal to four years' earnings, subject
to prescribed maximum for total incapacity. For partial incapacity,
3 to 80 per cent, of such grant according to degree of incapacity.

BENEFITS PROVIDED: INCAPACITY FOR WORK

129

Bulgaria.
Sickness
Employees and members of producers' co-operatives. Abstention from
work by reason of disease. Allowance: (a) during hospitalisation,
45 per cent, of basic earnings if there are dependants; otherwise 20 per
cent. ; (b) during domiciliary care, 65 per cent, of basic earnings. Supplements: 10 per cent, of earnings after three years'uninterrupted work in
same establishment ; 20 per cent, after five such years (if under age 18,
two years' uninterrupted work preceding illness); 5 per cent, for each
dependent child under 16. Total allowance not to exceed basic earnings.
Payable for period during which medical care may be provided, dependent on contributions as follows: after less than eight weeks or two
months : six months ; after eight weeks (or two months) or 52 weeks in
last two years: nine months; after 156 weeks (or three years) in last
five years: 12 months. For tuberculosis there is no limit to duration
of benefit. On exhaustion of benefit, grant equal to 75 times daily allowance payable for domiciliary care, unless there is an invalidity pension.
Urban independent workers. Allowance: (a) during hospitalisation,
40 per cent, of basic earnings if there are dependants, otherwise 20 per
cent. ; (b) during domiciliary care, 60 per cent. Supplement at flat rate for
each dependent child under 16. Total allowance not to exceed 100 per
cent, of basic earnings. Payable for period during which medical care
may be provided, being same as for employees and members of producers' co-operatives, above.
Invalidity
Employees and members of producers' co-operatives. Incapacity of
50 per cent. Contribution years required dependent on age as follows :
age 25 or under, three years; age 26-40, five years; age 41-60, seven years.
Interruption of two years allowed. Allowance consisting of basic
amount of 30 per cent, of average of five highest annual earnings in last
10 years, plus increment of 0.5 per cent, of earnings for each year of
insurance before attainment of age 60. Basic amount increased by 5 per
cent, and increment by 0.1 per cent, of earnings for each 10 degrees of
incapacity over 50. Prescribed minimum.
Urban independent workers. Incapacity of 50 per cent.; 60 monthly
contributions; age under 60. Allowance at rates varying according
to basic earnings, plus increment for every monthly contribution.
Prescribed minimum.
Employment

Injury

Employees and members of producers'1 co-operatives, (a) Temporary
incapacity: rate of allowances asj for sickness, above, (b) Permanent
incapacity: (i) allowance of 90 per cent, of earnings or fraction corresponding to degree of incapacity, where degree of incapacity is 30 per
cent, or more. Supplement where constant attendance necessary;
(ii) where degree of incapacity is less than 30 but over 10 per cent., grant
equal to three times annual allowance.

130

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

Canada.
Invalidity (Blindness)
Residents of insufficient private means. Blindness; age 21 or over;
20 years' residence immediately preceding award of pension, or if absent
during that period a previous residence equal to twice the length of the
period of absence. Allowance per month at flat rate, reduced by income
and in respect of property in excess of prescribed amounts. Maximum
permissible income increased in respect of specified categories of dependants.
Employment Injury
Industrial employees. Provincial schemes. Waiting period three
to seven days unless incapacity lasts beyond specified period, (a) Total
incapacity: allowance, usually 66% per cent, of earnings under ceiling,
subject to prescribed minima, (b) Partial incapacity: proportionate
allowance, according to degree of incapacity, subject to prescribed
minima.
Chile.
Sickness
Manual employees and independent workers, (a) General sickness:
waiting period four days; allowance of 100 per cent, of basic earnings
for first week, 50 per cent, for second week, 25 per cent, for subsequent
weeks, payable for 26 weeks in all, may be extended to 52 weeks in
special cases. (b) Tuberculosis, heart and venereal diseases (Preventive
Medicine Law): allowance of 100 per cent, of earnings payable until
recovery. Special schemes for non-manual employees.
Invalidity
Manual employees and independent workers. Permanent total incapacity. Two contribution years. Between two and five contribution
years, allowance of 50 per cent, of earnings; between five and 10 contribution years, 75 per cent, of earnings; after 10 contribution years,
100 per cent, of earnings. Special schemes for non-manual employees.
Employment Injury
Employees, (a) Temporary incapacity: 75 per cent, of daily wage,
subject to prescribed minimum and maximum; payable for one year,
thereafter allowance as for permanent incapacity, (b) Permanent
incapacity: (i) partial: grant varying with degree of incapacity and
annual wages for two years, subject to maximum of twice annual wage;
(ii) total: allowance of 60 per cent, of annual wage. Where constant
attendance necessary, allowance increased by 20 per cent.
Colombia.
Sickness
Employees and independent workers of small means. Five weekly
contributions. Waiting period three days. Allowance of 66% per
cent, of basic earnings for first 120 days, 50 per cent, for next 60 days.
Payable for 180 days in all. If beneficiary is hospitalised and with
dependants, allowance granted for family maintenance.

BENEFITS PROVIDED: INCAPACITY FOR WORK

131

Invalidity
Employees and independent workers of small means. Qualifying conditions to be determined by future regulations. Allowance subject to
prescribed minimum. Supplements payable for spouse over age 60 or
invalid, and for children under age 14 or invalids.
Employment Injury
Employees and independent workers of small means, (a) Temporary
incapacity: allowance of 66% per cent, of basic earnings, payable for
180 days, (b) Permanent incapacity: allowance for total incapacity
proportional to basic earnings, subject to prescribed minimum. Supplements payable for spouse over 60 or invalid, and for children under
14 or invalids. Proportionate allowance for partial incapacity of not
less than 5 per cent.
Cuba.
Invalidity
Employees in the textile, sugar, tobacco, graphic and other branches
of economic activity. Occupational schemes. Permanent total incapacity. Three to 15 years in the industry. Allowance varying according
to income classes from about 30 to 60 per cent, of earnings, increased
for additional years of employment. Prescribed maximum.
Urban persons working on own account, such as lawyers, doctors, etc.
Occupational schemes. Incapacity to exercise profession. Five to
25 years of professional activity. Allowance varying according to years
of professional activity and to income classes prescribed for each professional group.
Employment Injury
Employees, (a) Temporary incapacity : 50 per cent, of daily wage ;
payable for one year, thereafter allowance as for permanent incapacity.
(b) Permanent incapacity: (i) partial, 50 per cent, of loss of wages;
(ii) total, 66% per cent, of annual wage. Where constant attendance
necessary, increased by 50 per cent.
Czechoslovakia.
Sickness
Gainfully occupied and workers in family employment. For persons
working on own account or in family employment, waiting period
42 days. Allowance at rates varying according to income classes.
Payable for 365 days. Increased after 91 days by 10 per cent, and
after 182 days by 15 per cent.
Invalidity
Gainfully occupied and workers in family employment. Earnings
reduced by at least 50 per cent, of average earnings ; deemed permanent
if certified that it is likely to endure for at least one year. Four years'
insurance during preceding five years. Allowance consisting of fixed
sum, plus 20 per cent, of average earnings, plus increments varying with
years of insurance; subject to prescribed minimum and to maximum
of 85 per cent, of average earnings. Education allowance payable for

132

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

each child at rate of family allowances; payable up to age 16, maybe
extended to age 25. Special provisions for miners.
Housewives. Married for one year; not gainfully occupied; incapacity for household work due to reduced state of health. Allowance at
flat rate.
Employment Injury
Employees and workers in family employment. Incapacity due to
employment injury, including incapacity due to natural catastrophe
or suffered in the course of collective assistance in the interest of the
community, (a) Temporary incapacity: same as for sickness, above.
(b) Permanent incapacity; allowance payable on cessation of sickness
benefit or on release from hospital. Allowance of 66% per cent, of
average earnings for total incapacity. Proportionate allowance for
partial incapacity of over 20 per cent. If incapacity between 20 and
45 per cent., allowance may be commuted for lump sum. For incapacity under 20 per cent., grant equal to three times potential annual
allowance.
Where claims for employment injury allowance and invalidity or
old-age pension coincide, no employment injury allowance payable, but
invalidity or old-age pension increased by 15 per cent, of full rate of
employment injury allowance where loss of earning capacity is from
20 to 60 per cent. ; by 25 per cent, where loss of earning capacity is 60-80
per cent. ; and by 40 per cent, where loss of earning capacity is over 80 per
cent. Total amount payable not to be less than potential employment
injury allowance, and not to oxenod 85 por cent, of average earnings.
Denmark.
Sickness
Residents of small means. Six weeks' membership unless incapacity
due to accident. Waiting period three days, with retroactive payment ;
fund may require similar waiting period of seven days. Allowance at flat
rates varying according to contributions paid, not exceeding 80 per cent.
of average earnings. Prescribed minimum and maximum. Payable
for not more than 26 weeks in 12 months, or 60 weeks in three consecutive years.
Invalidity
Resident nationals. Incapacity of 66% per cent. Allowance of
basic sum varying with place of residence and marital status, plus
invalidity bonus at rate varying according to place of residence, bonus
in case of helplessness by decision of Court of Invalidity and bonus of
7% per cent, of basic sum. Supplements for wife if she is not a pensioner and for each dependent child; fuel allowance; clothing allowance.
Allowance adjusted to variations in cost of living. If income exceeds
50 per cent, of basic sum, 60 per cent, of excess is deducted but not so
as to reduce allowance below prescribed minimum. Income from personal work is disregarded up to amount equal to basic sum.
Employment Injury
Employees and persons of small means working on own account.
(a) Temporary total incapacity: waiting period six days; 13 weeks
for persons working on own account and voluntarily insured. Allowance of 75 per cent, of earnings, (b) Permanent incapacity: allowance

BENEFITS PROVIDED: INCAPACITY FOR WORK

133

of [66% per cent, of earnings for total incapacity. Proportionate allowance for partial incapacity. Earnings reckoned subject to prescribed
maxima. Allowances adjusted to variations in cost of living.

Dominican Republic.
Sickness
Employees. Six weekly contributions in preceding nine months.
Waiting period six days. Allowance of 50 per cent, of basic earnings.
Payable for 26 weeks. If hospitalised, 50 per cent, of allowance.
Invalidity
Employees. Permanent incapacity of 66% per cent, after 26 weeks
of medical care ; 250 weekly contributions. Allowance of 40 per cent.
of average basic earnings, plus increment of 2 per cent, for every
100 contributions exceeding 250. Supplement of 5 per cent, where there
is a dependent wife or child under age 14 or an ascendant aged 60 or over.
Total allowance not to exceed 70 per cent, of average basic earnings.
Employment Injury
Employees, (a) Temporary incapacity: waiting period 14 days.
Allowance of 50 per cent, of basic earnings, payable for 80 weeks.
(b) Permanent incapacity: same as for temporary incapacity, but
payable for 100 weeks.
Ecuador.
Sickness
Non-manual employees. Six monthly contributions two of them
in preceding six months. Waiting period six days. Allowance of
50 per cent, of average basic earnings for first four weeks, and 40 per
cent, for subsequent 21 weeks. Payable for 25 weeks in all.
Manual employees. 26 weekly contributions, eight of them in
preceding six months. Waiting period six days. Rate and duration
of allowance same as for non-manual employees, above.
Invalidity
Non-manual employees. 60 monthly contributions. Allowance of
40 per cent, of average earnings, plus increment of 1.25 per cent, for
each additional contribution year after first 60 monthly contributions.
Manual employees. 200 weekly contributions. Allowance of 30 per
cent, of average earnings, plus increment of 1.25 per cent, of total
earnings on which contributions were made after first 200 weekly
contributions.
Employment Injury
Non-manual employees. Mental or physical incapacity for work.
Allowance of 40 per cent, of average earnings. If contribution conditions for invalidity allowance fulfilled, allowance equal to invalidity
allowance.
Manual employees, (a) Temporary incapacity: mental or physical
incapacity for work. Allowance according to income classes, payable

134

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

for 52 weeks, (b) Permanent incapacity: mental or physical incapacity for work. Allowance according to income classes for total incapacity. Proportionate allowance for partial incapacity varying with
nature of injury and age of victim. If allowance is less than 20 per
cent, of the allowance for total incapacity, it is replaced by grant equal
to five times corresponding annual allowance.
Egypt.
Invalidity
Residents of insufficient private means. Protection of aliens subject
to reciprocity and 10 years' residence. Man, or single woman, aged
17 to 65. Total incapacity for work. Allowance at flat rate, increased
in respect of wife. Supplement in respect of one or two children (three
children if no wife) under 13 years, or 17 years if attending school,
invalid or female. Where family group lives together, family bonus.
Reduced by resources less those legally disregarded. Allowance, supplement and bonus lower in rural than in urban areas.
Employment

Injury

Employees of small earnings, (a) Temporary incapacity: waiting
period three days, unless incapacity lasts over 10 days. Allowance of
50 per cent, of earnings subject to prescribed maximum, (b) Permanent incapacity: grant equal to 1,000 days' earnings, subject to prescribed minimum and maximum.
Finland.
Invalidity
Residents. Permanent incapacity for self-support by means of
work suited to strength and qualifications. Allowance at flat rate,
plus increments varying with number and amount of contributions
paid. Supplementary allowance varying with local cost of living,
reduced by income in excess of prescribed amount.
Employee nationals of small means. Serious infirmity in person who
is earning living as employee but does not receive invalidity allowance
under previous paragraph. Allowance at flat rate.
Employment Injury
Employees, (a) Temporary incapacity: allowance of 48 per cent.
of basic earnings in middle income class if no dependants; otherwise
64 per cent. ; higher rates in lower income classes, lower rates in higher
income classes; payable for one year, (b) Permanent incapacity:
(i) loss of faculty of at least 30 per cent.; allowance calculated in proportion partly to loss of faculty, partly to reduction of earning capacity;
for total loss of both faculty and earning capacity, allowance of 48 per
cent, of basic earnings in middle income class if no dependants; higher
rates in lower income classes, lower rates in higher income classes.
Supplements for each dependant. Supplement where constant attendance necessary, (ii) Loss of faculty of 10-30 per cent.: grant varying
from 30 to 200 per cent, of one year's allowance and dependants' supplements which would have been payable in case of corresponding loss of
faculty and reduction of earning capacity.

BENEFITS PROVIDED: INCAPACITY FOR WORK

135

Franee.
Short-term Sickness
Urban employees. Registered and worked for 60 hours during three
months preceding first medical diagnosis of disease or date of accident,
or equivalent period of unemployment. Waiting period three days.
Allowance of 50 per cent, of wages lost subject to prescribed maximum,
66% per cent, from 31st day if three or more dependent children.
Payable for six months. Special scheme for such groups as miners
and seafarers.
Agricultural employees. Four monthly contributions during preceding two quarters or eight monthly contributions during preceding
four quarters. Waiting period three days. Allowance according to
income class. Payable for six months.
Long-term Sickness
Urban employees. One year's membership; 240 hours of work
during year, of which 60 in quarter preceding that in which first medical
diagnosis was made, or equivalent period of unemployment. Allowance
of 50 per cent, of wages lost, subject to prescribed maximum, 662/3 per
cent, if three or more dependent children. Payable for three years.
Duration may be extended for one year in case of resumption of work
or retraining. Allowance reduced in certain cases of hospitalisation.
Invalidity
Urban employees. General reduction of 66% per cent, of earning
capacity. Same qualifying conditions as for long-term sickness above.
Allowance of 30 or 40 per cent, of earnings according as incapacity is
partial or total—increased to 48 per cent, if constant attendance necessary; payable until age 60. Costs of vocational retraining. Special
schemes for such groups as miners and seafarers.
Agricultural employees. Registered for eight preceding quarters;
16 monthly contributions. Allowance calculated on the amount of
contributions paid and on income class, subject to prescribed minimum.
Employment Injury
Urban employees, 2 (a) Temporary incapacity: allowance of 50 per
cent, of earnings; 66 i per cent, from 29th day. Allowance payable
for all days, including holidays, which raises it to 58 and 78 per cent.
of earnings per week. Rate may be revised if wages raised, provided incapacity exceeds specified duration.
(b) Permanent incapacity: allowance equal to basic earnings, subject to ceiling, multiplied by percentage of incapacity, reduced by half for that part of this
percentage which does not exceed 50 and increased by half for that
part which does exceed 50. When basic earnings are less than minimum
wage, such wage taken into account if degree of permanent incapacity
is at least 10 per cent. Additional allowance if constant attendance
necessary. In certain cases pension is convertible into lump sum.
Special schemes for such groups as miners and seafarers.
Agricultural employees, (a) Temporary incapacity: waiting period
four days unless incapacity lasts over 10 days; allowance as for urban
employees, above; (b) permanent incapacity: as for urban employees,
above.

136

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

Greece.
Sickness
Urban employees. Six months since first entry into urban employment, and 50 days' urban employment in preceding 12 months unless
incapacity due to accident; for tuberculosis, 250 days' urban employment at any time. Waiting period five days; three days in case of
accident. Allowance of 33 to 69 per cent, of recent earnings under
prescribed maximum, varying with income classes. Supplement of
20 per cent, if incapacity due to accident or tuberculosis; for tuberculosis also additional flat rate supplement and grant for fresh air cure.
Deduction of 5 per cent, from allowance as charge for counting benefit
days towards eligibility for pensions. Allowance, except for accident,
reduced by 3 3 % per cent, in case of hospitalisation if there are
dependants; otherwise by 66% per cent. Payable for 180 days for
ordinary sickness, 750 days for accidents, and without limit for tuberculosis.
Different provisions apply for employees covered ¡by funds other
than Central Social Insurance Institution.
Invalidity
Urban gainfully occupied. Mental or physical incapacity to earn in
suitable employment more than 50 per cent, of usual earnings, during
at least six months; 750 days' employment, of which 300 in preceding
four years; for accident, 300 days of employment, of which 200 in preceding three years. If qualifying period not fulfilled in non-accident
cases, grant payable if 300 days of employment of which 200 in preceding three years. Allowance payable on termination of sickness benefit.
Rate includes basic flat amount plus increment graduated according to
number of days of employment in different income classes; annual rate
not to exceed earnings in preceding 12 months and subject to minimum
of 40 per cent, of last earnings prescribed in case of accident. 50 per
cent, increase if constant attendance necessary. Grant equal to one
year's allowance, where no allowance is payable. For tuberculosis,
additional flat-rate supplement and grant for fresh air cure.
Different provisions for employees and persons working on own
account covered by funds other than Central Social Insurance Institution.
Employment Injury
Urban employees, (a) Temporary incapacity: waiting period, rate
and duration of allowance same as for non-occupational accidents,
under sickness, above, (b) Permanent incapacity: mental or physical
incapacity to earn in suitable employment more than 50 per cent, of
usual earnings during at least six months. Allowance same as for
invalidity, plus additional supplement varying with degree of incapacity.
Different provisions for employees covered by funds other than
Central Social Insurance Institution.
Guatemala.
Sickness and Invalidity
Gainfully occupied. Conditions and rate to be determined by future
regulations.

BENEFITS PROVIDED: INCAPACITY FOR WORK

137

Employment Injury and Injury Due
to Non-Employment Accident
Gainfully occupied, (a) Temporary incapacity: waiting period one
day. Allowance of 66% per cent, of earnings, (b) Permanent total
or partial incapacity: (i) grant varying according to incapacity, calculated in " monetary units ", the amount of a unit being determined in
accordance with minimum cost of living; (ii) monthly allowance of 50
or 75 per cent, of a " monetary unit ", payable as long as invalid is a
regular and constant attendant at rehabilitation service ; (iii) rehabilitation services.
Haiti.
Sickness
Employees. Six months' membership and payment of 17 weekly
contributions. Waiting period four days. Allowance equal to 50 per
cent, of basic earnings for each working day. Supplement of 10 per cent.
of basic earnings for each dependant, subject to a maximum of 70 per
cent, of insurable earnings. Payable for 27 weeks.
Employment

Injury

Employees, (a) Temporary incapacity: waiting period three days;
allowance equal to 50 per cent, of basic earnings; supplement of 10 per
cent, of basic earnings for each dependant, subject to a maximum of
70 per cent, of insurable earnings, (b) Permanent total incapacity:
monthly allowance equal to 66 V3 per cent, of basic earnings, (c) Permanent partial incapacity: allowance proportionate to degree of incapacity; payment of lump sum if incapacity does not exceed 25 per cent.
Hungary.
Sickness
Employees. Waiting period four days. Allowance equal to 65 per
cent, of earnings; payable for one year. In case of hospitalisation,
75 per cent, of sickness allowance payable where there are two or more
dependants, 50 per cent, of sickness allowance payable where there is
one dependant, and where there are no dependants, 25 per cent, of sickness allowance payable from the 31st day of hospitalisation.
Invalidity
Employees. Loss of 66% per cent, of working capacity. Insurance
from 200 to 400 days according to age. Flat-rate allowance according
to occupational category and whether over or under age 65. Supplements for children and for spouse aged over 60. Allowance increased
where constant attendance required.
Employment Injury
Employees. Allowance varying with degree of incapacity and
appropriate rate of remuneration. Total incapacity: 66% per cent.
of attributed remuneration. Incapacity less than 15 per cent.: no
allowance. Where constant attendance is necessary, allowance doubled.

138

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

Iceland.
Sickness
Resident nationals. Age between 16 and 67. Full benefit dependent
upon regular payment of contributions. Waiting period 10 days;
five weeks for independent workers. Earnings reduced to amount
not exceeding 25 per cent, of sickness benefit. Allowance at flat
rate; higher for married man, and varying with local and national
cost of living. Supplement for each of first three children under age 16
at same rate as child maintenance allowance. For married woman,
payable only if husband is unable to maintain home. Payable for
26 weeks.
Invalidity
Resident nationals. Age between 16 and 67; incapacity of 75 per
cent. Full benefit dependent upon regular payment of contributions.
Allowance at flat rate varying with local and national cost of living;
may be increased by up to 40 per cent, where special attendance
necessary. Supplement at flat rate for wife, where need exists. Supplement for each child under age 16 at twice rate of child maintenance
allowance.
Employment

Injury

Employees, (a) Temporary incapacity: waiting period seven days;
allowance at flat rate, higher than sickness allowance and varying with
national cost of living; same children's supplement as for sickness.
Payable for 26 weeks, (b) Permanent incapacity of between 75 and
100 per cent. ; allowance at flat rate varying with national cost of living.
Same dependants' supplements as for survivors in case of death due to
employment injury. Proportionate allowance and supplements for
incapacity between 50 and 75 per cent. Grant for incapacity between
15 and 50 per cent.
India.
Sickness
Factory employees of small earnings. Contributions paid for two
thirds number of contributable weeks during contribution period of 26
weeks corresponding to benefit period. Waiting period two days. Full
allowance equal to seven twelfths of assumed earnings, based on income
classes, payable in ratio of number of contributions paid in contributable weeks during contribution period corresponding to benefit period.
Payable for 56 days in 365 days.
Employment

Injury

Factory employees of small earnings. Full allowance equal to seven
twelfths of assumed earnings based on income classes, during preceding
52 weeks. Payable at percentage for permanent partial incapacity.
Iran.
Sickness and Invalidity
Urban manual employees. Conditions and rate not yet determined.

BENEFITS PROVIDED: INCAPACITY FOR WORK

139

Employment Injury
Urban manual employees, (a) Temporary incapacity: allowance of
100 per cent, of earnings, payable for six months, (b) Permanent
incapacity : allowance of 50 per cent, of last earnings, plus grant of 200
to 600 times daily earnings for total incapacity; proportionate benefit
for partial incapacity.
Ireland.
Sickness
Manual employees and non-manual employees of small means.
104 weeks since entry into insurance and 104 weekly contributions;
reduced benefit payable after 26 weeks and 26 weekly contributions.
Waiting period three days. Allowance at flat rate, lower for women;
payable for 26 weeks.
Invalidity
Manual employees and non-manual employees of small means. Incapacity for work extending beyond 26 weeks; 104 weeks since entry
into insurance and 104 weekly contributions. Allowance at flat rate,
lower than rate of sickness allowance.
Italy.
Sickness
Urban employees. Waiting period three days. Allowance
of 50 per
cent, of average earnings. During hospitalisation, 66 2/3 per cent, of
allowance payable if there are dependants; otherwise 40 per cent. For
employee meeting own expenses, reimbursement up to prescribed limit.
Payable for 150 days in one calendar year; for chronic disease, for 90 days
in one calendar year for not more than three consecutive years. Special
schemes for employees in commerce, banking and insurance.
Agricultural employees, share farmers and tenant farmers. Waiting
period three days. Allowance at flat rates according to category of
employment. During hospitalisation 50 per cent, of allowance payable
if there are dependants. Payable for 180 days in one calendar year;
for chronic disease, for 180 days in three years.
Urban unemployed. Sickness must have begun within two months
after cessation of work. Allowance equal to 66% per cent, of sickness
allowance payable to employees. Payable for 150 days in one calendar
year; for chronic disease, for 90 days in one calendar year.
Invalidity
Manual employees. Incapacity of 66% per cent.; five years since
entry into insurance; 52 weekly contributions; 156 daily contributions
for men and 104 for women employees in agriculture; amount of contributions subject to prescribed minimum. Allowance of basic sum of
percentage of contributions paid, being higher for earlier than for later
contributions, and higher for men; plus increment of percentage of basic
sum varying inversely with amount of basic sum. Supplement for each
dependent child under age 16 of 10 per cent, of basic sum plus increment.
Non-manual employees. Incapacity of 50 per cent. ; five years since
entry into insurance; 12 monthly contributions subject to prescribed
minimum amount. Allowance of basic sum of percentage of contribuir)

140

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

tions paid, being higher for earlier than for later contributions, and
higher for men; plus increment of percentage of basic sum, varying
inversely with amount of basic sum. Supplement for each dependent
child under age 18 of 10 per cent, of basic sum plus increment.
Employment Injury
Urban employees. Waiting period three days; 10 days for occupational disease, (a) Temporary incapacity: allowance of 66% per cent.
of earnings, (b) Permanent incapacity: allowance of 75 per cent, of
earnings, subject to prescribed minimum and maximum, for total incapacity. 120 per cent, where constant attendance necessary. Proportionate allowance for partial incapacity of over 10 per cent. (20 per cent.
for occupational disease, 33 per cent, for silicosis). Allowances increased
by 5 per cent, for wife and each dependent child.
Agricultural employees, share farmers, tenant farmers and working
members of their families, (a) Temporary incapacity: allowance at
flat rate, higher for men than for women and lower for persons under 15.
(b) Permanent incapacity: for total incapacity, grant at flat rates
varying with sex and age of employee, and subject to prescribed minimum and maximum. Grant convertible into allowance if amount of
latter would exceed a prescribed minimum. Proportionate grant for
partial incapacity of over 15 per cent. Supplement of 10 per cent, for
three dependent children under age 15; of 20 per cent, if more than
three dependent children under age 15.
Luxembourg.
Sickness
Manual employees and, non-manual employees of small earnings.
Waiting period three days. Allowance of 50 per cent, of basic earnings ;
payable for 26 weeks.
Invalidity
Manual employees and non-manual employees of small earnings.
General reduction of earning capacity of 66% per cent., or more than
26 weeks of temporary incapacity for work. Five years' insurance for
nationals, 10 years for aliens. Allowance of basic amount depending
on cost of living, plus increment of 1 to 1.2 per cent, of aggregate earnings
during the period of insurance after first 1,350 days. Allowance not to
exceed 80 per cent, of average of 10 highest annual earnings. Supplement at flat rate for each child under 18. One quarter of allowance
reduced to extent of employment injury allowance, if any. Special
scheme for private salaried employees. Supplements for miners and
metal workers.
Employment Injury
Employees and farmers, (a) Temporary incapacity: allowance as
for sickness but increased from 50 to 66% per cent, of basic earnings
from fifth week; payable for 13 weeks, (b) Permanent incapacity:
incapacity for work lasting more than 13 weeks. Allowance of 66%
per cent, of earnings from first day of incapacity or fraction corresponding
to loss of earning capacity. Where such loss is at least 50 per cent.,
supplement of 10 per cent, of allowance for each child under 18, subject
to maximum of 100 per cent. If total incapacity, and constant attendance necessary, allowance increased up to 100 per cent, of earnings.

BENEFITS PROVIDED: INCAPACITY FOR WORK

141

Mexico.
Sickness
Employees and members of producers' co-operatives. Six weekly
contributions in preceding nine months. Waiting period three days.
Allowance of 40 per cent, of average basic earnings for first 13 weeks,
increased by 10 per cent, for next 13 weeks, and by 20 per cent, for
subsequent 13 weeks. If hospitalised, 50 per cent, of allowance payable
to dependants. Payable for 39 weeks in all.
Invalidity
Employees and members of producers'' co-operatives. 150 weekly
contributions; permanent incapacity of 66% per cent. Allowance
of 26 per cent, of average basic earnings, plus increment to annual pension of 1 per cent, of weekly earnings for every weekly contribution
exceeding 150. Allowance increased by 10 per cent, for every child
under 16. Total allowance not to exceed 85 per cent, of average basic
earnings.
Employment Injury
Employees and members of producers'1 co-operatives, (a) Temporary
incapacity: allowance of 75 per cent, of average basic earnings; payable
for 52 weeks, (b) Permanent incapacity: allowance of 66% per cent.
of average basic earnings for total incapacity; proportionate allowance
for partial incapacity or, if less than prescribed minimum, grant equal
to five years of corresponding allowance.
Netherlands.
Sickness
Employees of small earnings and unemployed. Incapacity for work
due to sickness not liable to be compensated as employment injury;
waiting period three days, during which wages paid by employer.
Allowance of 80 per cent, of basic earnings for each day except Sunday ;
payable for 52 weeks.
Invalidity
Employees of small earnings and unemployed. Incapacity of 66% per
cent. ; 150 weekly contributions. Annual allowance consisting of basic
sum equal to 260 times total contributions divided by number of contribution weeks, plus increment of 11.2 per cent, of total contributions
paid, or 20 per cent, of basic sum, whichever is greater. State supplement of 100 per cent, of pension plus fixed amount if beneficiary is
married or has children. Supplement at flat rate per child 1increasing
with fourth and subsequent children. Payable until age 65.
Employment Injury
Employees. Allowance of 80 per cent, of basic earnings; payable
for six consecutive weeks after the accident; thereafter, in case of total
incapacity, allowance of 70 per cent, of basic earnings, or, in case of
partial incapacity, a fraction of 70 per cent, of earnings corresponding
to degree of incapacity; 100 per cent, of earnings where constant attendance necessary. Vocational training : supplement for board and lodging.
1

Temporary increase of benefits by 5 per cent, as from 1 January 1950.

142

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

New Zealand.
Sickness
Residents of insufficient private means. Age 16 or over; incapacity
for work due to sickness or accident entailing loss of earnings; married
woman entitled to benefit only if husband unable to maintain her;
one year's residence. Waiting period seven days. Allowance at flat
rate, lower for person under age 20 without dependants. Supplement for
dependent wife. Reduced by income of beneficiary and of wife in
excess of prescribed amount. Allowance not to exceed loss of earnings.
Invalidity
Residents of insufficient private means. Age 16 or over; permanent
incapacity for work or total blindness ; 10 years' residence ; if incapacity
originated outside New Zealand, 20 years' residence. Allowance at
flat rate, lower for single person under 20. Supplement for wife.
Reduced by income and property of invalid and spouse in excess of
prescribed amounts. For blind persons, additional allowance of 25 per
cent, of any current earnings. Allowable income higher for blind persons.
Special provisions for miners incapacitated by occupational disease.
Employment Injury
Employees. Waiting period three days with retroactive payment.
(a) Total incapacity: allowance of 75 per cent, of earnings, subject
to prescribed minimum and maximum, and to prescribed maximum
aggregate amount, (b) Partial incapacity: allowance of 75 per cent.
of earnings lost, or in case of specified injuries fixed percentage of rate
for total incapacity, subject to prescribed maximum and to prescribed
maximum aggregate amount. Vocational rehabilitation.
Norway.
Sickness
Residents of small means. Voluntary insurance between ages of 15
and 70; admission may be subject to proof of good health; six weeks'
membership. Waiting period three days. Allowance at rates according
to income classes. Supplements for dependent spouse and each dependent child under age 16. Total allowance not to exceed prescribed
maximum or 90 per cent, of earnings. Payable for 52 weeks in respect
of same illness or, in specified cases, for two years.
Employees of small means. 14 days' membership. Waiting period
and rate of allowance as for residents of small means, above.
Employment Injury
Employees in industry, transport, building, forestry, etc. (a) Temporary incapacity: allowance as for sickness, above, (b) Permanent
incapacity: allowance of 60 per cent, of earnings for total incapacity.
Supplements for wife and each dependent child under age 16. Total
allowance not to exceed 90 per cent, of earnings. Proportionate allowance for partial incapacity. Earnings reckoned subject to prescribed
minimum and maximum.

BENEFITS PROVIDED: INCAPACITY FOR WORK

143

MrâTj.âiu.3,.

Invalidity
Employees and independent workers of small means. Age under 60
for men and 55 for women; 156 weekly contributions and contribution
density of 0.5 in last three years. Allowance of 50 per cent, of basic
earnings, plus increment of 1 per cent, for every 52 contributions exceeding 1,040.
Peru.
Sickness
Employees of small means. Four weekly contributions in preceding
120 days. Waiting period two days. Allowance of 70 per cent, of
average earnings; allowance reduced to 35 per cent, where beneficiary
having no dependants is hospitalised; payable for 26 weeks. Special
scheme for non-manual employees; provisions to be determined.
Invalidity
Employees of small means. 200 weekly contributions, of which 100
in preceding four years. Allowance of 40 per cent, of average basic
earnings, plus increment of 2 per cent, for every 100 contributions
exceeding 200. Supplements of 2 per cent, for wife aged 60 and for
each child under age 14, not exceeding 20 per cent. Total allowance
not to exceed 70 per cent, of average basic earnings. Special scheme
for non-manual employees; provisions to be determined.
Poland.
Sickness
Employees. Membership for preceding four weeks or for 26 weeks in
the course of the last 12 months. Waiting period two days, with retroactive payment. Allowance of 70 per cent, of average earnings in the
last quarter, increased by 5 per cent, for each dependent child. During
hospitalisation the allowance is reduced to 35 per cent, of average
earnings if there are dependants; if there are no dependants the allowance is reduced to 14 per cent, of average earnings. During a cure in
sanatorium payment of allowance not conditional on incapacity for
work. Allowance payable for 26 weeks; this period may be extended
to 39 weeks if it appears that insured person will regain his health.
Invalidity
Employees. 200 weeks' membership ; non-manual workers, 60 months
membership. General incapacity of 66 per cent, for manual workers;
occupational incapacity for non-manual workers and for miners covered
by supplementary scheme. Allowance at rates according to wage
classes; allowance increased by a fixed amount for each dependent child.
Supplement of 50 per cent, if constant attendance necessary.
Employment Injury
Employees and landowners of small means. Temporary incapacity
of employees: waiting period two days, with retroactive payment;
allowance of 70 per cent, of average earnings in the last quarter, increased
by 5 per cent, for each dependent child. Payable for 26 weeks. Per-

144

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

manent incapacity of employees and permanent and temporary incapacity of landowners of small means : incapacity of at least 25 per cent. ;
allowance according to income classes, or fraction thereof corresponding
to the degree of incapacity; supplement of 50 per cent, if constant
attendance needed; supplement for each dependent child, if degree of
incapacity is at least 66 per cent.
Portugal.
Sickness
Employees in specified occupations, independent workers in such
activities, certain professional categories (lawyers, doctors). One contribution year; waiting period six days. Allowance of 60 per cent, of average
earnings payable for 270 days.
Invalidity
Employees in specified occupations, independent workers in such
activities, certain professional categories (lawyers, doctors). Permanent
mental or physical incapacity for work; five to 10 contribution years.
Maximum allowance 80 per cent, of average earnings after 40 contribution years (20 per cent, after minimum qualifying period).
Employment Injury
Employees. Allowance of one third of wages up to ceiling for first
three days, two thirds thereafter if incapacity is total. Reduction in
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£1 Salvador.
Gainfully occupied. Waiting period three days. Allowance proportional to earnings, payable for 26 weeks, or 52 in special cases, subject
to future regulations. If hospitalised and with no dependants, 50 per
cent, of allowance. After 52 weeks of sickness benefit : general reduction
of earning capacity of 30 per cent. ; (a) full allowance for incapacity of 60
to 100 per cent. ; (b) 50 per cent, of allowance, for incapacity of 30 to
60 per cent. Allowance to be determined by future regulations; payable
provisionally where there is prospect of rehabilitation. Rehabilitation
services.
Sweden.
Sickness
Gainfully occupied residents. Age 16 or over; incapacity for usual
work. Waiting period three days. Allowance at flat rate; lower for
persons under age 18 and over 67. Supplements for spouse and each
child. Payable for 730 days continuously; 90 days after age 67. Higher
allowance by means of voluntary insurance. In long-term sickness
cases, invalidity pension for limited periods.
Housewives. Age under 67; incapacity for work. Waiting period
three days. Allowance at flat rate. Payable for 730 days continuously.
Invalidity
Resident nationals. Age between 16 and 67; permanent incapacity
for work or incapacity having lasted one year and likely to continue.
Allowance at flat rate which, together with a supplementary allowance,

BENEFITS PROVIDED: INCAPACITY FOR WORK

145

is equal to old-age pension. Supplement for blindness. Supplementary
allowances: supplement for wife aged 60 and under 67, supplement fur
each child under 16, housing supplement varying according to local cost
of housing. These four supplements reduced by income and property
in excess of prescribed amounts.
Employment Injury
Employees, (a) Temporary incapacity lasting at least three days.
Allowance of about 70 per cent, of basic earnings. Supplement at flat
rate if there are dependants. Payable until cessation of condition requiring medical care, (b) Permanent incapacity of 10 per cent, or
more. Allowance of 91% per cent, of annual earnings, subject to
maximum, or fraction corresponding to degree of incapacity. Supplement where constant attendance necessary.
Switzerland.
Sickness
Residents or residents of small means. Compulsory or voluntary
insurance. Cantonal or municipal schemes under Federal enabling
law. (a) General: total incapacity; qualifying period not more than
three months' insurance. Waiting period two days. Allowance subject
to prescribed minimum; payable for not less than 180 days in 360 consecutive days, (b) Tuberculosis: sanatorium care. Allowance at same
rate as sickness benefit, if any; minimum doubled if patient insured for
cash benefit only; payable for not less than 1,080 days in five consecutive years.
Resident nationals of insufficient means. Assistance by municipality
or canton of origin, subject to means test.
Invalidity
Resident nationals of insufficient means. Assistance by municipality
or canton of origin, subject to means test.
Employment Injury and Injury Due to Non-Employment Accident
Employees in industry, building and public and private transport.
(a) Temporary incapacity: waiting period two days. Allowance of
80 per cent, of earnings which the insured person lost as a result of the
accident or occupational disease; payable until recovery or certification
of permanent incapacity, (b) Permanent incapacity: in case of total
incapacity, allowance of 70 per cent, of earnings pertaining to the year
preceding the accident or the occupational disease; in case of partial
incapacity, proportionate reduction of such allowance. 100 per cent.
where constant attendance necessary.
Turkey.
Sickness
Urban employees. 160 days' insurance during preceding year.
Waiting period four days unless incapacity extends beyond 15 days.
Allowance of 50 per cent, of earnings, subject to prescribed minimum and
maximum, increased to 66% per cent, where there is one or more
dependant. Where beneficiary is hospitalised, allowance of 3 3 % per

146

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

cent, of earnings, as above, increased to 50 per cent, where there is one
dependant or more.
Employment Injury
Urban employees, (a) Temporary incapacity: waiting period three
days, unless incapacity lasts over 15 days. Allowance of 50 per cent.
of earnings; 66% per cent, if there are dependants. Payable for
15 months, (b) Permanent incapacity of at least 10 per cent.:
allowance of 60 per cent, of earnings for total incapacity ; proportionate
allowance for partial incapacity. Increased by 50 per cent, if attendance
necessary. Commutable for lump sum in certain cases. Earnings
reckoned subject to prescribed minimum and maximum.
Union of South Africa.
Employment Injury
Employees of small earnings. Non-Natives: waiting period three
days, unless incapacity lasts over two weeks, (a) Temporary incapacity:
two-bracket formula; allowance equal to 75 per cent, of earnings up to
prescribed amount, plus 50 per cent, of earnings exceeding that sum but
under higher prescribed amount; further earnings ignored; subject to
prescribed minimum; payable for 12 months, (b) Permanent incapacity: for incapacity of 25 per cent, or less, grant varying with earnings
and degree of incapacity. For incapacity over 25 per cent., allowance
varying with earnings and degree of incapacity. Earnings over prescribed amount ignored. Subject to prescribed minimum. Additional
allowance where constant attendance necessary. Natives: (a) Temporary incapacity: waiting period seven days; allowance of 66% per cent.
of earnings; payable for 12 months, (b) Permanent incapacity:
grant equal to 36 times monthly earnings, subject to prescribed minimum, for total incapacity; proportionate grant for partial incapacity.
United Kingdom.
Sickness and Invalidity
Gainfully occupied. Incapacity for work due to specific disease
or bodily or mental disablement; 26 weekly contributions paid since
entry into insurance. 50 weekly contributions paid or credited in last
contribution year to qualify for 52 weeks of benefit; 156 weekly contributions paid to qualify for benefit of unlimited duration. Reduced benefit
payable if contribution conditions only partially satisfied. Waiting
period three days unless incapacitated for 12 days during 13 weeks.
Allowance at flat rate; lower for youth without dependants and for
married woman supported by husband. Supplements for adult dependant and one dependent child.
Persons of insufficient means. Assistance allowance equal to excess of
computed requirements over resources, less those legally disregarded.
Employment Injury
Employees, (a) Temporary incapacity: waiting period three days,
unless incapacity lasts 12 days. Allowance at flat rate, lower for youth
without dependants; supplements for adult dependant and one dependent child; payable for 26 weeks, (b) Permanent disablement: permanent or substantial loss of mental or physical faculty of (i) not less
than 20 per cent. : allowance at flat rate varying with degree of incapa-

BENEFITS PROVIDED: INCAPACITY FOR WORK

147

city ; supplements for adult dependant and one dependent child if victim
unemployable or receiving hospital care; supplements in case of unemployahility, special hardship, or need for constant attendance or
hospital care; (ii) under 20 per cent.: grant varying with assessed degree
and likely duration of disablement: lower for youths.
United States.
Sickness
Urban employees (four States). Incapacity for duties of regular or
customary employment due to mental or physical illness or injury or
accident other than employment injury. Must have earned specified
minimum aggregate amount during preceding year, or have been employed for specified minimum period. Waiting period seven days.
Weekly allowance normally equal to between 4 and 5 per cent, of
highest quarterly earnings in preceding year. Potential duration
usually varies with aggregate earnings in preceding year, with maximum
limit 13 weeks in one State and 26 weeks in three States. Restrictions
on duplicate social insurance benefits.
Railway employees. Incapacity for work due to physical, mental,
psychological or nervous injury or disease. Must have earned specified
minimum aggregate amount during preceding year. Waiting period
seven days. Allowance graduated in relation to aggregate earnings in
preceding year, averaging about 50 per cent, of regular full-time pay,
up to prescribed maximum. Other social insurance benefits deductible.
Payable for 26 weeks.
Residents of insufficient means. Assistance payable under general
and special assistance schemes to needy persons who are sick. Income
and resources of claimant considered in determination of need.
Invalidity
Railway employees, (a) Permanent mental or physical incapacity
for work in regular occupation: must have current connection with
industry and either have 20 years of employment or be of age 60.
(b) Permanent mental or physical incapacity to engage in any regular
employment: must have 10 years of service or be of age 60. Allowance
of 1.6 to 2.4 per cent, of average earnings multiplied by years of service,
subject to prescribed minimum and maximum. Payable until death
or recovery, the latter being defined as earnings of more than prescribed
amount as employee, or in work on own account, during six consecutive
months.
Residents of insufficient means. Assistance payable in respect of
needy blind persons, needy dependent children deprived of parental
support by reason of parents' incapacity, and some needy incapacitated
persons receiving general assistance. Income and resources of claimant
considered in determination of need.
Employment Injury
Urban employees. State schemes and special Federal schemes.
Distinction customarily made between temporary total incapacity,
permanent total incapacity and permanent partial incapacity. Majority
of States and the Federal schemes require waiting period of seven days
with retroactive payment if disability lasts for a specified time. Allowances usually related to average earnings, 66% per cent, being most

148

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

common rate for total incapacity, subject to prescribed maxima and
minima. Supplements for dependants provided only in minority of
States and for Federal civilian employees. Majority of schemes limit
duration of allowance, total payment, or both, so as to preclude life
awards for permanent incapacity.
Uruguay.
Invalidity
Employees in industry, commerce and public utilities. Permanent
mental or physical incapacity for work; 10 years' employment. Allowance of one thirtieth of average earnings for each year of employment.
Agricultural employees and employers. Mental or physical incapacity; 10 years' service; two years' membership. Allowance of 2.5 per
cent, of average earnings for each year of membership. Prescribed
minimum.
Venezuela.
Sickness
Urban employees. Waiting period three days. Allowance of 66%
per cent, of basic earnings; payable for 26 weeks.
Employment

Injury

Urban employees, (a) Temporary partial incapacity: grant proportional to basic earnings and to degree of incapacity, not exceeding
six months' earnings, (b) Temporary total incapacity: allowance of
100 per cent, of basic earnings; payable for six months, (c) Permanent
partial incapacity: grant proportional to basic earnings and to degree
of incapacity, not exceeding either one year's earnings or prescribed
maximum, (d) Permanent total incapacity: grant equal to two years'
earnings, but not exceeding prescribed maximum.

UNEMPLOYMENT
Australia.
Residents of insufficient private means. Capable of and willing to
perform suitable work ; one year's residence. Waiting period six days.
Allowance as for sickness: flat rate, lower for single persons under 21.
Supplements for dependent wife and one dependent child. Reduced by
income in excess of prescribed amount.
Austria.
Urban employees. 20 weekly contributions in preceding 12 months.
Waiting period seven days. Allowance according to income class.
Supplement at flat rate for each dependant. Payable for 12 weeks.
Duration increased to 20 weeks if beneficiary insured for 52 weeks during
preceding two years ; or to 30 weeks if beneficiary insured for 156 weeks
in preceding five years. After expiration of right to unemployment
allowance, further allowance (assistance) payable for not more than
26 weeks. Housing supplement at flat rate. Total allowance not to
exceed 80 per cent, of basic earnings.

BENEFITS PROVIDED: UNEMPLOYMENT

149

Belgium«
Employees. Involuntarily unemployed and capable of work. Qualifying period for women only : 75 days of work. Generally no
allowance in respect of unemployment of one day a week. Allowance
at flat rates varying according to whether unemployed person is skilled
or unskilled worker, and with family responsibilities and place of residence; lower for persons under age 21. Lower rates for female workers
under age 21.
Bulgaria.
Employees. Capable of work and not able to work on own account ;
26 weekly contributions during preceding year. Waiting period eight
days. Allowance not exceeding 66% per cent, of basic earnings;
payable for 12 weeks in one calendar year. Vocational training.
Canada.
Industrial and commercial employees of small earnings. Capable of
and available for work; 180 daily contributions in two years preceding
benefit year, including (a) 60 contributions during 52 weeks preceding
benefit year or during period since commencement of preceding benefit
year, if any, whichever period is less, or (b) 45 contributions in 26 weeks
preceding benefit year or during period since commencement of preceding
benefit year, if any, whichever is less. Waiting period nine days in
benefit year. Daily allowance equal to 34 times average of 180 last daily
contributions; higher rate if there are dependants. Benefit payable
in any year is limited to number of days equal to difference between
one fifth of contribution days in five years preceding benefit year and
one third of benefit days in three years preceding benefit year.
Czechoslovakia.
Employees. Available for employment. Unemployment allowance; costs of authorised transfer of employee; cost of vocational
training; if transferred to other job, payment of difference in earnings,
if any; cost of tools; family subsidies where employee separated from
family.
Denmark.
Employees of small private means. Voluntary insurance. Capable
of and available for suitable work; 12 monthly contributions and
39 weeks' work, of which 26 in preceding 18 months. Waiting period
six to 15 days, as fixed by funds. Allowance in accordance with rules
of funds, subject to maximum varying with marital status and variations in cost-of-living index. Supplements may be paid for children.
Rental allowances to persons with dependants after 25 days' unemployment. Total allowance not to exceed 80 per cent, of earnings if there
are dependants; otherwise 66% per cent. Duration according to rules
of fund, but not less than 90 days in benefit year. Each fund may set
up a continuation fund to pay benefit beyond duration fixed by rules in
event of exceptional unemployment.
Finland.
Employed nationals. Capable of work and seeking suitable employment; 26 weekly contributions. Waiting period six to 18 days, as

150

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

fixed by each fund. Allowance as fixed by fund, not exceeding 66% per
cent, of usual earnings if there are dependants, otherwise 50 per cent.
Payable for 120 days in 12 months.
France.
Employees of insufficient private means. Employed for preceding
six months, (a) Total unemployment: waiting period five days;
allowance at flat rates, not exceeding 66% per cent, of previous earnings;
reduced if income exceeds prescribed amount, (b) Partial unemployment : no waiting period ; allowance calculated for number of hours lost
at rate of one fortieth of weekly allowance payable for total unemployment per hour; allowance not paid if salary continues to be paid.
Entitlement to allowance not based on income of household. However,
in case of person without dependants, total wages and allowances
granted may not exceed basic wage for calculation of family allowances ;
this ceiling increased by 20 per cent, for persons having at least one
dependant.
Greece.
Urban employees. Involuntarily unemployed and capable of work;
180 days' urban employment in preceding 18 months. Waiting period
five days for manual employees; 10 days for non-manual employees.
Allowance for manual employees, 40 per cent., and for non-manual
employees, 50 per cent., of average wage for wage class concerned,
plus 10 per cent, of wages for each dependant, subject to a maximum
allowance of 70 per cent, of wages. Payable for 182 working days.
Not payable if employee is receiving another social insurance allowance.
Different provisions for employees covered by funds other than main
unemployment fund.
Ireland.
Urban manual employees, and urban non-manual employees of small
means. Capable of and available for work; 12 weekly contributions.
Waiting period six days. Allowance at flat rate per week; lower for
women and adolescents. Supplements for dependants. Payable for
26 weeks in benefit year.
Gainfully occupied persons of insufficient private means. Minimum
requirements, varying with place of residence and number of dependants,
minus income.
Italy.
Employees. Waiting period seven days. Two years'insurance; one
year's contributions. Allowance at flat rate. Supplement for dependent children. Payable for 180 days.
Luxembourg.
Urban employees of insufficient private means. Capable of and
available for work ; 200 days of work in preceding 12 months. Waiting
period three days. Allowance at flat rate depending on age for single
persons. Supplements for wife not gainfully occupied, for each child
under age 18, and each dependent ascendant. Prescribed maximum.
Income other than income from work in excess of 25 per cent, of benefit
is deducted. Payable for 26 weeks in 12 months. Vocational retraining
if required.

BENEFITS PROVIDED: UNEMPLOYMENT

151

Netherlands.
Employees of small earnings, (a) Waiting allowance: 156 days of
work in branch of industry to which employee last belonged. Waiting
period fixed by occupational association. Allowance of 80 per cent.
of earnings for persons with dependants, subject to prescribed maximum ;
70 per cent, for persons aged 18 or more who do not live at home; and
60 per cent, for other single persons. Payable for at least 48 days per
benefit year. Rate and duration may be increased by occupational
association, (b) Unemployment allowance: not or no longer entitled
to waiting allowance; 78 days of work in any occupation in preceding
year. Same rate as for waiting allowance; payable for 78 days per
benefit year if the beneficiary has previously drawn a waiting allowance ;
otherwise for 126 days.
New Zealand.
Residents of insufficient private means. Capable of and willing to
undertake suitable work; must have taken reasonable steps to secure
suitable employment; one year's residence. Waiting period seven days.
Allowance as for sickness: flat rate, lower for person under 20 without
dependants. Supplement for dependent wife. Reduced by income and
property of beneficiary and wife in excess of prescribed amounts.
Norway.
Employees of small means. Involuntarily unemployed and capable of
and willing to accept suitable employment ; 45 weeks' insurable employment in preceding four years. Waiting period six days but this may be
reduced or waived in special circumstances. Allowance at flat rate.
Supplements for dependent spouse and for each dependent child under 16.
Total allowance not to exceed 90 per cent, of earnings; payable for
15 weeks in 12 months, but not exceeding one third of number of contribution weeks in preceding four years, less number of benefitweeksin
same period.
Portugal.
Employees in occupations covered by collective agreements and employees
in specified professions or activities. 26 weekly contributions. Reimbursement of total contributions, spread over six months in one year
or over 10 months in two years.
El Salvador.
Gainfully occupied. Involuntarily unemployed. Allowance to be
fixed by future regulations, conditional on registration with employment
office dependent on Social Insurance Institution.
Sweden.
Employees. Voluntary insurance. Capable of work and seeking
suitable employment; 52 weekly contributions during preceding
12 months. Waiting period six days. Allowance varying with contributions. Supplements for wife and for each child under age 16. Total
allowance not to exceed 90 per cent, of basic earnings; payable for
156 days in 12 months.

152

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

Switzerland.
Employees in industry, commerce, transport and handicrafts, etc.
Cantonal or municipal schemes or trade union and joint funds under
Federal legislation. Compulsory or voluntary. Capable of and willing
to perform suitable work; 180 days' insurance. Waiting period one
day. Allowance not exceeding 55 per cent, of basic earnings under
ceiling for single persons; 65 per cent, for persons with not more than
two dependants; and 65 per cent, plus flat rate supplement for each
dependant in addition to two; for others, subject to maximum of 85 per
cent, of earnings. Basic earnings reckoned and supplements for dependants higher for urban than for rural districts. Payable for 90 days in
one calendar year.
Union of South Africa.
Employees of small earnings excluding specified classes of Natives.
Capable of and willing to perform suitable work; 13 weekly contributions. Waiting period seven days unless unemployment lasts over
two weeks. Allowance at rates varying with income classes. Payable
for 26 weeks in one year.
United Kingdom.
Employees. Capable of and available for employment; 26 weekly
contributions paid since entry into insurance and 50 paid or credited
in last contribution year. Waiting period three days, unless unemployed
for 12 days during 13 weeks. Allowance at flat rate; lower for youth
without dependants and for married woman supported by husband.
Supplements for adult dependant and one dependent child. Payable
for 30 weeks; extended to 52 weeks after five years' insurance. Local
tribunal may recommend extension for longer period. In iNorthern
Ireland unemployment benefit is subject to a residence test, normally
five years of recent residence in the United Kingdom.
Persons of insufficient means. Assistance allowance equal to excess of
computed requirements over resources less those legally disregarded.
Recipient may be required to register for employment.
United States.
Urban employees. State schemes, under Federal-State programme.
Involuntarily unemployed, capable of and available for work. Nearly
all States require receipt of specified minimum aggregate earnings
during preceding base year, expressed either as multiple of weekly
allowance or as flat qualifying amount ; a few require minimum number
of weeks of employment at specified weekly wage. Most States have a
waiting period of seven days. Weekly allowance in most States ranges
from 3.8 to 5 per cent, of highest quarterly earnings in preceding year;
others relate allowances to annual or weekly earnings, with a stated
maximum in all cases. Supplements for dependants in only about one
fifth of States. Allowances reduced by earnings in excess of prescribed
amounts, and reduced or not payable in a number of States if other
social insurance benefits received. Duration dependent on previous
aggregate earnings or employment in majority of States, while minority
have uniform duration. Maximum limit in about half of States,
20 weeks; in one quarter of States, having almost half of all covered
workers, 26 weeks; in others, from 12 to 25 weeks. Seafarers included.
Special Federal scheme for railway employees.

BENEFITS PROVIDED:

UNEMPLOYMENT

153

Residents of insufficient means. Assistance payable to needy persons
under general assistance programme available to needy unemployed
persons in all localities of some States, in selected localities in some
States, and not at all in other States. Income and resources of claimant
considered in determination of need.
Uruguay.
Employees in industry, commerce and public utilities. Involuntarily
unemployed. Grants at rates based on age and years of "employment,
varying from 2 to 3 per cent, of old-age pension for each year of employment.
Agricultural employees and employers. Five years' membership.
Allowance equal to 1 per cent, of earnings for each year of age and
service. Payable for six months. Interval of two years between
periods of benefit ; not payable more than three times.
OLD AGE
Argentine Republic.
Residents of insufficient means. Age 60; five years' residence in the
country and three years' residence in region where allowance is paid.
Allowance at flat rate.
Employees. Occupational schemes. Age 55 for men and 50 for
women; 30 contribution years. Allowances at rates based on income
classes, and on years of employment, varying with different schemes.
Reduced allowance for lower age and fewer years of employment.
Australia.
British residents of insufficient private means. Age 65 for men and
60 for women; 20 years' residence. Allowance at flat rate. Reduced
by income and property in excess of prescribed amounts.
Austria.
Employees. Different schemes for manual and non-manual employees. Age 65 (women 60); 15 contribution years. Allowance calculated as for invalidity (for miners, as for incapacity for work of 66%
per cent.): basic sum increased by 1.2 percent, of basic earnings for each
year of work; supplement for each child under 18; dental supplement;
fixed minimum.
Belgium.
Residents. Voluntary insurance. Age 65 for men and 60 for women.
Reduced allowance if awarded between ages 60 and 65 for men, and
55 and 60 for women. Allowance consists of three elements: (1) annuity based on contributions; (2) State subsidy: nationals; regular
payment of contributions of not less than prescribed amount; 50 to
100 per cent, annuity according to year of birth; prescribed maximum
per year of insurance ; (3) bonus: persons born between 1867 and 1907 ;
nationals ; regular payment of contributions of not less than prescribed
amount; enquiry into means; rate varies with year of birth; bonus lower
for single person.
Employees. Age 65 for men and 60 for women. Reduced allowance
if awarded between ages 60 and 65 for men and 55 and 60 for women.

154

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

Allowance consists of four elements: (1) annuity based on contributions. (2) State subsidy: nationals; 50 to 100 per cent, of annuity
according to year of birth; prescribed maximum; (3) bonus: persons
born between 1867 and 1907; nationals; bonus paid without enquiry
into means, provided special qualifying conditions fulfilled, including
payment of contributions from age 51 to age 65 without interruption of
more than three years, and retirement from gainful occupation; rate
varies with year of birth; lower for single person; (4) supplement:
conditional on entitlement to bonus without enquiry into means, but
no nationality qualification; flat rate, lower for single person. Special
schemes for miners and seafarers.
Bolivia.
Employees and members of producers' co-operatives. Five years'
employment. Allowance at flat rate, plus increment for each additional
year of employment after five, subject to a minimum to be fixed by
future regulations. Supplements for dependants. Total allowance not
to exceed average earnings of last 24 months for which contributions
were paid.
Brazil.
Employees in industry, commerce, transport, public services, etc.
Occupational schemes. Age 60 to 65; five contribution years. Allowance proportional to years of employment and in accordance with
actuarial scales.
Bulgaria.
Employees and members of producers' co-operalives. (a) Very
strenuous or unhealthy employment: age 50; 15 contribution years.
(b) Strenuous employment : age 55 ; 20 contribution years, (c) Others :
age 60; 25 contribution years. Shorter qualifying periods for persons
entering employment after reaching age 40 or 50. Allowance of 50 per
cent, of average of five highest annual earnings in last 10 years, plus
increment of 2 per cent, of earnings for each of first five contribution
years above minimum of contribution years, and 2.5 per cent, for each
subsequent year. Prescribed minimum. Total allowance not to exceed
80 per cent, of earnings or prescribed amount.
Urban independent workers. Age 60; 300 monthly contributions.
Allowance at flat rates rising with income, plus increment, also rising
with income, depending on contributions. Subject to prescribed
minimum.
Agricultural workers on own account. Age 60 for men and 55 for
women; 25 contribution years and regular membership of Farmers'
Union. Allowance at flat rate.
Canada.
Residents of insufficient private means. Age 70 or over; 20 years'
residence immediately preceding award of pension or, if absent during
that period, a previous residence equal to twice the length of the absence.
Monthly allowance at flat rate. Reduced by income and property in
excess of prescribed amounts. Maximum permissible income increased
in respect of specified categories of dependants.

BENEFITS PROVIDED : OLD AGE

155

Chüe.
Manual employees and independent workers. Age 55, 60 or 65.
Allowance based on capitalisation of insured person's total contributions,
equivalent to 2 per cent, of insurable earnings; or grant corresponding
to reimbursement of contributions. Special schemes for non-manual
employees.
Colombia.
Employees and independent workers of small means. Qualifying
conditions to be determined by future regulations. Allowance subject
to prescribed minimum. Supplements for spouse over 60 or invalid,
and for children under 14 or invalids.
Cuba.
Employees in the textile, sugar, tobacco, graphic and other branches
of economic activity. Occupational schemes. Age 55 to 60; 10 to
35 years of employment in the industry. Allowance varying according
to income classes from about 30 to 60 per cent, of earnings, increased
for additional years of employment.
Urban persons working on own account, such as lawyers, doctors, etc.
Occupational schemes. Age 50 to 60; 20 to 30 years of professional
activity. Five contribution years. Allowance at flat rates varying
with different schemes.
Czechoslovakia.
Gainfully occupied and workers in family employment. Age 65:
four years' insurance in preceding five years. Current earnings must
not exceed 50 per cent, of average earnings. Allowance as for invalidity:
fixed sum, plus 20 per cent, of average earnings, plus increments varying
with years of insurance. Subject to prescribed minimum and to maximum of 85 per cent, of average earnings. Educational allowance payable
for each child at rate of family allowances ; payable up to age 16, may be
continued to age 25. Special provisions for miners.
Housewives. Age 65; married for at least one year; not gainfully
occupied. Allowance at flat rate.
Denmark.
Resident nationals of small means. Membership of approved sickness
funds entitles to old-age pension. Normal retirement age 65, single
women, 60. Rates reduced or increased according as pension awarded
prior or subsequent to attainment of normal retirement age. Allowance
of basic sum, varying with place of residence and marital status, plus
bonus of 7.5 per cent, of basic sum (4 per cent, if pensioner lives in
specially provided dwelling). Supplement for wife if she is not a pensioner, and for each dependent child; fuel allowance; clothing allowance.
If income exceeds 50 per cent, of basic sum, 60 per cent, of excess is
deducted. If income causes basic sum to decrease to less than one
twelfth, no pension is paid. Allowance adjusted to variations in cost
of living.
Dominiean Republic.
Employees. Age 60; 800 weekly contributions. Allowance of 40 per
cent, of average basic earnings, plus increment of 2 per cent, for every
H

156

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

100 contributions exceeding 250. Supplement of 5 per cent, of earnings
for dependent wife or child under 14 or an ascendant aged 60 or over.
Total allowance not to exceed 70 per cent, of average basic earnings.
Reduced allowance for 400 weekly contributions.
Ecuador.
Non-manual employees. Age 55, and 360 monthly contributions;
or age 65, and 180 monthly contributions. Allowance of 40 per cent.
of average earnings, plus increment of 1.25 per cent, for each additional
contribution year after first 60 monthly contributions.
Manual employees. Age 55 and 1,500 weekly contributions ; or age 65
and 750 weekly contributions. Allowance of 30 per cent, of average
earnings, plus increment of 1.25 per cent, of the total earnings on which
contributions were made after first 200 weekly contributions.
Egypt.
Residents of insufficient private means. Protection of aliens subject
to reciprocity and 10 years' residence. Man, or single woman, aged 65.
Allowance at flat rate, increased in respect of wife. Supplement in
respect of one or two children (three children if no wife) under 13 years,
or 17 years if attending school, invalid or female. Where family group
lives together, family bonus. Reduced by resources less those legally
disregarded. Allowance, supplement and bonus lower in rural than in
urban areas.
Finland.
Residents. Age 65. Allowance proportional to number and amount
of contributions paid. Supplementary allowance reduced by one half
income in excess of prescribed amounts, which vary according to local
cost of living and number of children under age 16.
France.
Urban employees and unemployed, (a) Age 60: (i) 30 years' insurance: allowance of 20 per cent, of basic earnings, plus increment of
4 per cent, of earnings for each year of insurance after 60 ; (ii) 30 years'
insurance with 20 years of arduous work, or incapacity for work:
allowance of 40 per cent, of basic earnings; (iii) 15 to 29 years' insurance:
proportionate allowance. Supplement of 10 per cent, of pension for
three children who are either the children of the pensioner or who have
been reared and maintained by him or his spouse during period of at
least nine years preceding their 16th birthdays, (b) Age 65: five to
15 years' insurance; allowance equal to 10 per cent, of old-age contributions paid between 1 July 1930 and 31 December 1935, plus 10 per
cent, of half total of double contributions paid after that period. Special
schemes for such groups as miners and seafarers.
Agricultural employees, (a) Age 60: 30 years' insurance; allowance
corresponding to payments made, with supplement and prescribed
minimum according to number of contributions; supplement of 10 per
cent, if pensioner has brought up three children to age 16. (b) Age
65: as for urban employees, above.
Persons working on own account. Special occupational schemes for
liberal professions, industrial, commercial and agricultural occupations,

BENEFITS P R O V I D E D : OLD AGE

157

and artisans. Age 65, or 60 if unfit for work; 10 years of occupational
activity and minimum number of contributions. Allowance at raues
varying with schemes.
Greece.
Urban gainfully occupied. Age 65 for men and 60 for women;
current earnings not more than 50 per cent, of normal earnings ; 750 days'
employment, of which 300 in preceding four years. Allowance includes
basic flat rate amount, plus increment graduated according to number
of days of employment in different income classes.
Different provisions for employees and persons working on own
account covered by funds other than Central Social Insurance Institution.
Guatemala.
Gainfully occupied. Conditions and rate to be determined by future
regulations.
Hungary.
Urban employees. Age 60; 400 weekly contributions; 200 if totally
blind. Allowance at flat rate according to occupational category and
age. Where constant attendance required, supplement payable.
Agricultural employees. Qualifying conditions as for urban employees. Allowance reduced in respect of persons fulfilling conditions of
laws previously in effect concerning limited old-age assistance for
agricultural employees.
Iceland.
Resident nationals. Age 67. Full benefit conditional upon regular
payment of contribution. Allowance as for invalidity, at flat rate
varying with local and national cost of living. For married couple,
both beneficiaries, double allowance reduced by 20 per cent. Allowance increased by 5 per cent, for each year of delay in claiming pension, up to 40 per cent. May be increased by up to 40 per
cent, where special attendance necessary. Supplement for each child
under 16 at twice rate of child maintenance allowance.
Iran.
Urban manual employees. Conditions and rate not yet determined.
Ireland.
Residents of insufficient private means. Age 70;
including six years since attainment of age 50 for
for non-nationals. Allowance at rates according
varying inversely with income. No allowance
exceeds prescribed amount.

30 years' residence,
nationals, 16 years
to income classes,
payable if income

Italy.
Employees. Age 60 for men, and 55 for women; 15 years' insurance;
amount of contributions paid not less than prescribed minimum, higher
for non-manual employees, and lower for agricultural employees.
Allowance as for invalidity: basic sum of percentage of contributions
paid, being higher for earlier than for later contributions, and higher
for men; plus increment of basic sum varying inversely with amount

158

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

of basic sum. Supplement for each dependent child under age 16 of
10 per cent, of basic sum plus increment.
Luxembourg.
Employees. Age 65; 10 years' insurance. Allowance at same rate
as for invalidity: allowance of basic amount depending on cost of living,
plus increment of 1 to 1.2 per cent, of aggregate earnings during the
period of insurance after first 1,350 days. Allowance not to exceed
80 per cent, of average of 10 highest annual earnings. Supplement
at flat rate for each child under 18. Supplements for miners and metal
workers. Special scheme for private non-manual employees.
Mexico.
Employees and members of producers' co-operatives. Age 65;
500 weekly contributions. Allowance of 26 per cent, of average basic
earnings, plus increment to annual pension of 1 per cent, of weekly
earnings for every weekly contribution exceeding 150. Allowance
increased by 10 per cent, for each child under age 16. Total allowance not to exceed 85 per cent, of average basic earnings.
Netherlands.
Resident nationals, Belgians, and other aliens having resided in the
Netherlands since attainment of age 45, of insufficient private means.
Age 65; retired; six years' residence; income limit dependent on place
of residence and marital status. Allowance at flat, rate dependent on
place of residence and marital status, reduced by 50 per cent, of other1
income, including social insurance pension. Temporary supplements.
Employees of small earnings and unemployed. Age 65 ; no qualifying
conditions, but age limit for entry into compulsory insurance is 35.
Annual allowance calculated as for invalidity, but without State supplements: basic sum equal to 260 times total contributions divided by
number of contribution weeks, plus increment of 11.2 per cent, of total
contributions paid, or 20 per cent, of basic sum, whichever is greater.
Supplement at flat rate per child, increasing with fourth and each subsequent child.
New Zealand.
Residents. Age 65; if resident in New Zealand on 15 March 1938,
10 years' residence immediately preceding claim; otherwise 20 years.
Allowance at flat rate.
Residents of insufficient private means. Age 60; if resident in New
Zealand on 15 March 1938, 10 years' residence immediately preceding
claim; otherwise 20 years. Allowance at flat rate. Supplement for wife.
Reduced by income and property in excess of prescribed amounts,
which vary with marital status.
Norway.
Resident nationals of insufficient private means. Age 70; residence
for half the period since attainment of age 16, including preceding fivri
years. Allowance at flat rate to provide subsistence minimum in municipality of residence. Prescribed minima for towns and rural districts1

Temporary increase of benefits by 5 per cent, as from 1 January 1950.

BENEFITS PROVIDED: OLD AGE

159

Rate 50 per cent, higher for married persons. Supplement for each
child under 16. Reduced by 60 per cent, of income in excess of 60 per
cent, of full allowance.
Panama.
Employees, and independent workers of small means. Age 60 for men
and 55 for women; 1,040 weekly contributions and a contribution
density of 0.5 in last 10 years (for persons who entered insurance before
1 July 1942, 520 weekly contributions and contribution density of 0.9).
Allowance of 50 per cent, of basic earnings, plus increment of 1 per cent.
for every 52 contributions exceeding 1,040. Proportional allowance
for fewer contributions or, if resulting amount is less than 20 per cent.
of monthly earnings, grant equal to contributions paid.
Peru.
Employées of small means. Age 60; 1,040 weekly contributions.
Allowance as for invalidity: 40 per cent, of average basic earnings, plus
increment of 2 per cent, for every 100 contributions exceeding 1,040.
Supplements of 2 per cent, for wife aged 60 and for each child under 14
not exceeding 20 per cent, of earnings. Total allowance not to exceed
70 per cent, of average basic earnings. Special scheme for non-manual
employees ; provisions to be determined.
Poland.
Employees. 65 years ; 200 weeks' membership ; non-manual workers
60 months' membership. Allowance at flat rates according to wage
classes as for invalidity. Supplement for each dependent child. Supplement of 50 per cent, if constant attendance needed.
Portugal.
Employees in specified occupations, independent workers in such
activities, certain professional categories (lawyers, doctors). Pensionable
age in most activities, 65 years; 5 to 10 contribution years. Allowance
up to 80 per cent, of average earnings.
EI Salvador.
Gainfully occupied. Conditions and rate to be determined by future
regulations.
Sweden.
Resident nationals and Danes, Finns, Icelanders and Norwegians.
Age 67. Allowance at flat rate. Supplements for wife aged between 60
and 67, and for each child under age 16. Housing supplement varying
according to local cost of housing. Supplements reduced by income
and property in excess of prescribed amounts.
Switzerland.
Residents. Age 65 or, if married couple, man 65 and wife 60. In
order to be entitled to full allowances, the insured person must have
paid contributions during at least one year and his age group must have
been liable to payment of contributions during a period of not less than
20 years. In order to be entitled to partial allowances, the insured
person must have paid contributions for at least one year and his age
group must have been liable to payment of contributions during at

160

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

least one year but less than 20 years, (a) Full allowance: for single
person, basic sum at flat rate, plus increment consisting of (i) six times
that part of average annual contribution which does not exceed prescribed amount, and (ii) twice that part of contribution which exceeds
that amount. In computing the average contribution, years in which
contributions were low are disregarded up to five years if the contribution period is over eight years. Prescribed minimum and maximum.
For couple, 160 per cent, of single allowance. Contributions of wife,
if any, added to those of husband. Allowance reduced if contributions
not paid for whole period since age group liable to insurance. For
foreigners whose country does not grant equivalent rights to Swiss,
allowance reduced by 33y 3 per cent, (b) Partial allowance: where
average annual contribution is below prescribed amount, allowance
same as full allowance; where average annual contribution over that
amount, basic sum corresponding to average contribution of that
amount plus increment, for each contribution year, of 5 per cent, of the
difference between the basic sum and the corresponding full allowance.
Resident nationals of insufficient means. Persons not qualified for
contributory pensions. Allowance at flat rate, higher for semi-urban
and urban (basic sum of partial allowance) than for rural districts
(minimum full allowance). Subject to means test. Supplementary
cantonal allowances subject to means test.
Turkey.
Urban employees. Age 60; 25 years' employment. Annual average
of 200 daily contributions during working years, and at least 200 in
preceding three years. Annual allowance equal to 20 per cent, of total
contributions paid by employer and insured person, subject to prescribed
minimum. Special provisions for those employed in arduous occupations.
Union of South Africa.
British residents of insufficient private means, excluding Asians,
aboriginals and specified Natives. Age 65 for men and 60 for women;
British subject for five years ; residence for 15 out of preceding 20 years.
Allowance at rate determined by Commissioner, subject to maxima
prescribed for white and coloured persons.
United Kingdom.
Residents. Age 65 for men and 60 for women and retirement or
virtual retirement from regular gainful occupation; or age 70 for men
and 65 for women with or without retirement; 156 weekly contributions
paid with yearly average of 50 contributions paid or credited. Reduced
allowance payable if conditions only partially satisfied. Aged wife or
widow qualifies by virtue of husband's insurance. Allowance at flat
rate, lower for wives qualifying through husbands' insurance. Supplements for wife under pensionable age and one dependent child. Increments for each 25 weekly contributions paid during five years after age 65
for men and 60 for women. Allowance reduced by earnings in excess of
prescribed amount until age 70 for men and 65 for women ; no reduction
thereafter.
Persons of insufficient means. Assistance allowance equal to excess of
computed requirements over resources including pension, less those
legally disregarded.

BENEFITS PROVIDED: FUNERAL

161

United States.
Urban employees. Age 65; retirement from insured employment;
employment during 40 quarters or during half of quarters since 1936
or age 21 and before age 65 (minimum of six quarters). Allowance on
basis of employee's average earnings below ceiling; basic allowance
ranging from 16 to 40 per cent, of average earnings in inverse relation
to such earnings, increased by 1 per cent, for each year of employment.
Prescribed maxima and minima. No allowance paid for months in
which earnings in covered employment exceed prescribed amount.
Supplements for aged wife or child: (a) Wife: aged 65; three years'
marriage or mother of recipient's child, and living with recipient; 50
per cent, of employee's allowance, (b) Child: under 18, unmarried,
dependent upon recipient; 50 percent.of employee's allowance for each
child. Total allowance not to exceed 80 per cent, of average earnings,
twice employee's own allowance or prescribed maximum. Seafarers
included. Special Federal scheme for railway workers.
Residents of insufficient means. Assistance payable in respect of
needy persons age 65 or over who are not inmates of public institutions.
Income and resources of claimant considered in determination of need.
Uruguay.
Residents of insufficient means. Age 60. Allowance at flat rates,
subject to prescribed minimum.
Employees in industry, commerce, and public utilities. Age 50 with
30 years' employment, or age 60 with 10 years' employment. Allowance
varying according to income classes and proportional to years of employment, subject to prescribed minimum.
Agricultural employees and employers. Age 60; 30 years' service and
five years' membership, or 10 years' service and five years' membership.
Allowance as for invalidity: 2.5 per cent, of average earnings for each
year of membership.
FUNERAL1
Argentine Republic
Death from Any Cause
Employees and pensioners. Funeral expenses, subject to prescribed
maximum.
Australia.
Pensioners.

Death from Any Cause
Funeral expenses, subject to prescribed maximum.

Death from Employment Injury
Employees of small earnings. State schemes. Usually on condition
that no dependants survive. Funeral expenses, subject to prescribed
maximum.
1
Where the heading " Any cause " precedes a heading " Employment
injury ", " any cause " means any cause exclusive of employment injury, or
subject to co-ordination of the two types of benefit.

162

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

Austria.
Death from Any Cause
Employees, unemployed and pensioners. Grant equal to 20 times
daily basic earnings; this rate may be increased by rules of sickness
fund to sum equal to 40 times daily basic earnings. For unemployed,
unemployment allowance taken as basis in calculation of grant. For
pensioners, flat-rate grants.
Independent workers. Grant at rate varying according to income
class.
Dependants of employees, of pensioners and of unemployed. Rules of
sickness fund may provide for grant to spouse of up to 66 % per cent, of
grant paid in respect of an employed or unemployed person; for other
dependants, grant of up to 50 per cent. Pensioner receives grant at
flat rate for dependant.
Death from Employment Injury
Employees and independent workers. Grant equal to 6.6 per cent, of
annual earnings.
Belgium.
Death from Any Cause
Residents. Voluntary insurance. Qualifying conditions and rate of
grants fixed by recognised mutual benefit societies.
Employees. Six months' insurance. If deceased under pensionable
age, grant equal to 30 times assumed daily earnings based on income
classes; if deceased had attained pensionable age, grant at flat rate.

Employees.

Death from Employment
Grant at flat rate.

Injury

Bolivia.
Death from Any Cause
Employees and members of producers' co-operatives. Funeral expenses,
subject to prescribed maximum to be determined by future regulations.
Brazil.
Death from Any Cause
Employees in industry, commerce, transport, public services, etc.
Occupational schemes. Grants at flat rates.
Bulgaria.
Death from Any Cause
Employees and members of producers' co-operatives, urban independent
workers, pensioners, and their dependants. Grant at flat rate; reduced
by 50 per cent, for death of dependant and of person in receipt of survivor's pension.
Death from Employment Injury
Employees and members of producers'1 co-operatives. Grant at flat
rate.

BENEFITS PROVIDED: FUNERAL

163

Canada
Death from Employment Injury
Industrial employees. Provincial schemes. Grants at flat rates.
Chile.
Death from Any Cause
Manual employees and independent workers. Grant at flat rate.
Special schemes for non-manual employees.

Employees.

Death from Employment
Grant at flat rate.

Injury

Colombia.
Death from Any Cause
Employees and independent workers of small means.
to last monthly earnings.

Grant equal

Cuba.
Employees.

Death from Employment
Grant at flat rate.

Injury

Czechoslovakia.
Death from Any Cause
Gainfully occupied and workers in family employment, pensioners,
unemployed and their dependants. Death while entitled to sickness
benefit or within six months of cessation of such benefit. Grant at
flat rates varying according to whether it is payable to dependants or
not. For death of dependant, grant at flat rates varying according
to age.
Denmark.
Death from Any Cause
Residents of small means and dependent children. Grant varying
with different funds. Prescribed minimum and maximum.
Death from Employment Injury
Employees and persons of small means working on own account.
Grant at flat rate adjusted to variations in cost-of-living index.
Dominican Republic.
Death from Any Cause
Employees and pensioners. Grant at varying rates, subject to
prescribed minimum and maximum.
Ecuador.
Death from Any Cause
Non-manual employees and pensioners. Six monthly contributions
to special funeral fund in preceding six months. For pensioners, receipt.
of pension at death. Grant at rate which is fixed every year.

164

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

Manual employees and pensioners. 26 weekly contributions in preceding 12 months. Grant equal to earnings of last 60 days, subject to
prescribed minimum and maximum.
Death from Employment Injury
Manual employees. Grant equal to last monthly earnings.
Egypt.
Death from Employment Injury
Employees of small earnings. Funeral expenses, subject to prescribed
maximum.
Finland.
Death from Employment Injury
Employees. Grant of 17 per cent, of basic annual earnings in middle
income class, higher rates in lower income classes, lower rates in higher
income classes.
France.
Death from Any Cause
Urban employees and unemployed. Employment for 60 hours during
preceding three months, or equivalent period of unemployment. Grant
equal to 90 times daily basic earnings subject to minimum and maximum; reduced by funeral benefit paid in case of death due to employment injury.
Agricultural employees. Grant at flat rate.
Death from .Employment Injury
Urban employees. Funeral expenses, subject to prescribed maximum.
Agricultural employees. Funeral expenses, subject to prescribed
maximum.
Greece.
Death from Any Cause
Urban employees and pensioners. Six months since first entry into
urban employment, and 50 days' urban employment in 12 months preceding death, unless death caused by accident. For pensioners, receipt
of pension at death. Grant at flat rate.
Different provisions for persons covered by funds other than Central
Social Insurance Institution.
Death from Employment Injury
Urban employees. Grant at flat rate. Different provisions for
persons covered by funds other than Central Social Insurance Institution.
Guatemala.
Death from Employment Injury and Injury
Due to Non-Employment Accident
Gainfully occupied. Grant equal to two " monetary units ", the
amount of a unit being determined in accordance with minimum cost
of living.

BENEFITS PROVIDED: FUNERAL

165

Haiti.
Death from Any Cause
Employees. Grant equal to basic earnings for preceding three months
(13 weeks) of work.
Death from Employment Injury
Employees. Grant equal to basic earnings for preceding month
(four weeks) of work.

Hungary.
Death from Any Cause
Employees and their dependants and pensioners. Grant varying in
rate according to place of interment. Grant in respect of dependants
also varies according to age.
Employees.

Death from Employment
Grant as above.

Injury

Iran.
Death from Employment Injury
Urban manual employees. Funeral expenses, subject to maximum
of 20 times daily earnings.
Italy.
Death from Any Cause
Urban non-manual employees. Grant at rate fixed by administering
institute.
Urban manual employees. Grant at flat rate.
Death from Employment Injury
Urban employees. Grant at flat rate varying according to whether
surviving spouse has dependent children, and according to degree of
relationship between survivor and deceased.
Luxembourg.
Death from Any Cause
Employees. Death of employee insured under old-age, invalidity
and survivors' insurance who qualified for invalidity pension but was
not drawing pension. Grant equal to 6a/3 per cent, of annual earnings,
subject to prescribed minimum.
Death from Employment Injury
Employees and farmers. Grant equal to 6a/s per cent, of annual
earnings subject to prescribed minimum.
Mexico.
Death from Any Cause
Employees and members of producers' co-operatives. Grant at flat
rate.

166

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

Death from Employment Injury
Employees and members of producers' co-operatives. Grant equal to
one month's earnings, subject to prescribed minimum.
Netherlands.
Death from Any Cause
Employees of small earnings, unemployed and dependants. Grant at
flat rate.
Death from Employment Injury
Employees. Grant equal to 30 times daily basic earnings.
New Zealand.
Employees.

Death from Employment Injury
Funeral expenses, subject to prescribed maximum.

Norway.
Death from Any Cause
Residents of small means and dependants of voluntarily insured persons.
Voluntary insurance. Grant at flat rates for insured person and dependant, lower for child. In specified cases, grant awarded where death
occurs after cessation of sickness benefit.
Employees of small means, unemployed and their dependants. Grant
as above.
Old-age pensioners and their dependants. Grant at flat rate.
Death from Employment Injury
Employees in industry, transport, building, forestry, etc. Grant at
flat rate.

Panama.
Death from Any Cause
Employees and independent workers of small means.
penses.

Funeral ex-

Peru.
Death from Any Cause
(excluding Employment Injury)
Employees of small means and pensioners. Grant varying in rate
with previous earnings.
Poland.
Death from Any Cause
Employees. Grant equal to seven times weekly earnings.
Dependants of employees. Grant equal to three times weekly
earnings.
Pensioners. Grant equal to three times monthly allowance.
Dependants of pensioners. Grant at flat rate.

BENEFITS PROVIDED: FUNERAL

167

Death from Employment Injury
Employees and landowners of small means. Grant equal to three
times the monthly allowance for total incapacity.
Portugal.
Employees.
to maximum.

Death from Employment Injury
Lump sum equal to 20 times daily earnings, subject

EI Salvador.
Death from Any Cause
Gainfully occupied. Grant at flat rate subject to future regulations.
Sweden.
Employees.

Death from Employment
Grant at flat rate.

Injury

Switzerland.
Death from Employment Injury
and Injury Due to Non-Employment Accident
Employees in industry, building and public and private transport.
Funeral expenses, subject to prescribed maximum.
Turkey.
Death from Any Cause
Urban employees and old-age pensioners. Grant at flat rate.
Death from Employment
Urban employees. Grant at flat rate.

Injury

Union of South Africa.
Death from Employment Injury
Employees of small earnings. Non-Natives : funeral expenses payable
at discretion of Commissioner, subject to prescribed maximum. Natives: funeral expenses payable at discretion of Commissioner, subject
to prescribed maximum, being 32 per cent, of that for non-Natives.
United Kingdom.
Death from Any Cause
Residents. Appreciable expenses incurred for funeral of insured
person or dependant dying within country; 26 weekly contributions
paid or credited since entry into insurance with either 45 paid or credited
in last contribution year or yearly average of 45 paid or credited. Grant
at flat rates varying with age of deceased. Reduced grant payable if
any contribution conditions not fully satisfied.
Persons of insufficient means. Local authorities have duty of burying
or cremating bodies of deceased persons for the disposal of which no
suitable arrangements are otherwise made.

168

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

United States.
Death from Employment Injury
Urban employees. State schemes and special Federal schemes.
Most States and the Federal schemes provide expenses of funeral or
" last illness " of victim dying as a result of and within specified time
after employment injury. Grant usually limited to reasonable expenses,
subject to prescribed maximum. Sometimes payable on condition
that no dependants survive.
Uruguay.
Death from Any Cause
(excluding Employment Injury)
Dependants of employees in industry, commerce and public utilities.
Grant at flat rate on death of child under age 14.
Venezuela.
Death from Any Cause
(excluding Employment Injury)
Urban employees and pensioners. Grant at flat rate.

DEATH OF BREADWINNER1

Argentine Republic.
Any Cause
Dependants of employees and of pensioners. Occupational schemes.
Widow, children under age 18, parents, etc. ; allowance as percentage of
old-age pension, varying with different schemes. Subject to specified
minimum ; supplement of 5 per cent, for every dependant exceeding three.
Employment Injury
Dependants of employees. Occupational schemes. Widow, children
under age 18, parents, etc. : (a) allowance as percentage of old-age pension, varying with different schemes. Subject to special minimum;
supplement of 5 per cent, for every dependant exceeding three; and/or
(b) grant, usually equal to 1,000 days' earnings.
Australia.
Any Cause
British residents of insufficient private means. Widow or deserted
wife. Five years' residence. Allowance at flat rate varying for
(a) widow with children under age 16; (b) widow aged 50 or more;
(c) widow under 50 without children but in necessitous circumstances ;
(d) wife, with children or aged at least 50, of imprisoned husband.
Reduced by income in excess of prescribed amount and, except for
widow with children, by property in excess of prescribed amount.
Allowance under (c) payable for not more than 26 weeks.
1

Where the heading " Any cause " precedes a heading " Employment
injury ", " any cause " means any cause exclusive of employment injury, or
subject to co-ordination of the two types of benefit.

BENEFITS PROVIDED: DEATH OF BREADWINNER

Employment

169

Injury

Dependants of employees of small earnings. State schemes. Grant to
survivors usually equal to four times annual earnings, subject to prescribed minima and maxima; or grant at flat rate. Supplements for
dependent children under age 16 in some States.
Austria.
Any Cause
Dependants of employees and of pensioners. Five contribution years.
(a) Widow: allowance equal to 50 per cent, of old-age pension. If
widow of manual worker is in employment covered by sickness insurance,
she is not entitled to pension, (b) Children : allowance equal to 40 per
cent, of old-age pension. Special scheme for the survivors of miners.
Employment

Injury

Dependants of employees, (a) Widow: allowance equal to 20 per
cent, of insurable earnings; 40 per cent, if widow's earning capacity
reduced by 50 per cent, (b) Children: allowance equal to 20 per cent.
of insurable earnings. Total allowance not to exceed 80 per cent, of
annual earnings of deceased. Widower and ascendants entitled to
allowances under certain conditions.
Belgium.
Any Cause
Dependants of voluntarily insured residents, (a) Widow: allowance
consisting of three elements: (i) annuity: 35-50 per cent, of old-age
annuity which would have been payable to husband, varying with his
age; rate increased or decreased according to whether wife older or
younger than husband; (ii) State subsidy: nationals; regular payment
of contributions of not less than prescribed amount; percentage as
under (i) of State subsidy to which husband would have been entitled
on receipt of old-age annuity; (iii) bonus: husband born between 1867
and 1907; nationals; regular payment of contributions of not less than
prescribed amount. Rate varies with year of birth of deceased husband.
Bonus ceases on remarriage of widow, (b) Children: under age 16
(under 18 if student or apprentice) ; dependent. Allowance at flat rate,
higher for full orphans.
Dependants of employees, of pensioners and of unemployed, (a) Widow :
allowance consisting of four elements: (i) annuity: 35-50 per cent, of
old-age annuity which would have been payable to husband, varying
with his age; rate increased or decreased according to whether wife
older or younger than husband; (ii) State subsidy: nationals; percentage
as under (i) of State subsidy to which husband would have been entitled
on receipt of old-age annuity; (iii) bonus: husband born between 1867
and 1907; nationals; regular payment of contributions; rate varies
with year of birth of deceased husband; bonus ceases on remarriage of
widow; (iv) supplement: attainment of age 55; regular payment of
contributions. Flat rate increased on attainment of age 60, subject to
retirement from gainful occupation, (b) Children: as under dependants of voluntarily insured residents, above.

170

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

Employment

Injury

Dependants of employees, (a) Spouse: allowance based on 30 per
cent, of earnings, taking into account ages of husband and wife.
(b) Children: under 18; allowance of 15 per cent, of earnings each,
subject to maximum of 45 per cent. ; 20 per cent, each for full orphans,
subject to maximum of 60 per cent. Earnings reckoned subject to a
prescribed minimum and maximum.
Bolivia.
Any Cause
Dependants of employees, of members of producers'1 co-operatives and
of pensioners. Allowance as percentage of old-age pension, subject to
a specified minimum and with a maximum not to exceed the pension or
potential pension of deceased, all to be determined by future regulations.
Brazil.
Any Cause
Dependants of employees in industry, commerce, transport, public
services, etc. Occupational schemes. Five contribution years. Spouse,
children, parents, etc.: allowance equal to 50 per cent, of invalidity
pension.
Employment

Injury

Dependants of employees in industry, commerce, transport, public
services, etc. Spouse, children, parents, etc. : grant equal to two to four
years' earnings, according to number of beneficiaries.

Bulgaria.
Any Cause
Dependants of employees, of members of producers' co-operatives and
of urban independent workers, (a) Widow: qualifying conditions as for
invalidity; contribution years required dependent on age (age 25 or
under, three years; 26 to 40, five years; 41 to 60, seven years); interruption of two years allowed.
Allowance of 40 per cent, of potential pension of husband for 70 per
cent, invalidity (or of old-age pension if deceased was entitled to such
but did not draw it) if there are dependent children; otherwise 50 per
cent. Payable for one year if under 40 and there are no dependent
children; otherwise until remarriage, when grant of three times the
widow's annual allowance is made, (b) Widower: incapacity of 50 per
cent.; same qualifying conditions and rate of allowance as for widow.
(c) Children : under age 18 (under 25 if student) ; same qualifying conditions as for widow; allowance of 30 per cent, of invalidity pension each;
50 per cent, for full orphans, (d) Parents, brothers, sisters : dependent,
income limit; allowance of 30 per cent, of pension in the aggregate.
Total allowances not to exceed 100 per cent, of pension. Special
schemes for miners and seafarers.
Dependants of pensioners. Allowance as percentage of pension.
Otherwise same as for dependants of employees, above.

BENEFITS PROVIDED: DEATH OF BREADWINNER

Employment

171

Injury

Dependants of employees and of members of producers'1 co-operatives.
Where death due to employment injury giving rise to pension, allowance
as for death from any cause, above, but based on employment injury
allowance and without qualifying period. Grant to parents equal to
annual pension for 100 per cent, incapacity.
Canada.
Any Cause
Residents of insufficient private means. Assistance to certain needy
mothers with dependent children deprived of parental support through
death of breadwinner (nine provinces).
Employment Injury
Dependants of industrial employees. Provincial schemes, (a) Widow:
grant and allowance at flat rates; allowance usually subject to
maximum of 66% per cent, of earnings under ceiling and to minima
varying with number of children, (b) Children: under age 16; in some
provinces, under 18; allowance at flat rate, higher for full orphans.
Where no widow or child, allowance payable to dependent parent or to
other dependent relative.
Chile.
Employment Injury
Employees, (a) Widow: allowance of 30 per cent, of annual wage.
(b) Children: 20 per cent, of annual wage for child under age 16, subject
to maximum joint allowance of 40 per cent, for half orphans and 60 per
cent, for full orphans. Where no children or where no spouse allowances
to other dependent relatives.
Colombia.
Any Cause
Dependants of employees, of independent workers of small means and
of pensioners. Qualifying conditions to be determined by future regulations. Widow or invalid widower, children under 14 or invalids:
allowance subject to prescribed minimum, with supplements for spouse
over 60 or invalid, and for children under age 14 or invalids.
Employment Injury
Dependants of employees and of independent workers of small means.
(a) Widow or widower: allowance of 25 per cent, of basic earnings
(30 per cent, if disabled); (b) children: under 14 or invalid; allowance
of 15 per cent. (25 per cent, if full orphans).
Cuba.
Any Cause
Dependants of employees in the textile, sugar, tobacco, graphic and other
branches of economic activity, and of pensioners. Occupational schemes.
Spouse, children under 18, parents, unmarried sisters: allowance of
80 per cent, of actual or potential invalidity pension.
12

172

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

Dependants of urban persons working on own account, such as lawyers,
doctors, etc., and of pensioners. Occupational schemes. Widow or invalid
widower, children under age 18, parents: allowance varying with years of
professional activity and according to income classes prescribed for each
professional group.
Employment Injury
Employees, (a) Widow: 20 per cent, of annual earnings, (b) Children: 30 per cent, of annual earnings for one child, 45 per cent, for two
or three children and 60 per cent, for four or more. Where there are no
children, allowance to other dependent relatives.
Czechoslovakia.
Any Cause
Dependants of gainfully occupied, of workers in family employment and
of pensioners. Four years' insurance during preceding five years.
(a) Widow: married at least one year, or mother of child of deceased.
Unmarried woman: lived with deceased for preceding 10 years; or for
three years and mother of child of deceased person entitled to an orphan's
allowance. Allowance equal to 70 per cent, of potential old age (invalidity) pension of deceased. Payable for one year, but continued if
widow is disabled, or has attained 45, or cares for a child who is entitled
to education allowance. Continued at 50 per cent, of potential old-age
(invalidity) pension if period of married life had exceeded 15 years.
Prescribed minimum. Education allowance payable for each child at
rate of family allowances; payable up to age 16 (may be continued
to age 25). Minimum amount of education allowance prescribed.
(b) Children under 16: full orphan or half orphan not in the care of the
widow or orphan of insured mother, born out of wedlock, or orphan
who was dependent on deceased insured mother's earnings; illegitimate,
adopted, foster-children and grandchildren included under certain conditions. Allowance equal to 50 per cent, of potential old-age (invalidity) pension of deceased, subject to prescribed minimum; may be
continued up to age 25. Special provisions for miners.
Employment Injury
Dependants of employees and of workers in family employment. Allowances for widow and orphans same as for death due to any cause, above,
increased by 5 per cent, of full rate of employment injury allowance.
Grant to widow of 50 per cent, of average annual earnings, plus 10 per
cent, of average annual earnings for each child; 20 per cent, for full
orphans.
Denmark.
Employment Injury
Dependants of employees and of persons of small means working on
their own account. Nationals or residents, (a) Widow: grant equal
to four times annual earnings, (b) Children: grant equal to one and
a half times annual earnings; three times for full orphans. Earnings
reckoned subject to prescribed maximum, which is adjusted to variations in cost of living. Total grants not to exceed seven times annual
earnings.

BENEFITS PROVIDED: DEATH OF BREADWINNER

173

Dominican Republic.
Any Cause
Dependants of employees and of pensioners. 20 weekly contributions.
Dependent widow and child under 17: grant equal to 33 per cent, of
last annual earnings.
Employment Injury
Dependants of employees. Dependent widow and child under 17:
allowance equal to 50 per cent, of the average earnings payable for
156 weeks, subject to a prescribed maximum.
Ecuador.
Any Cause
Dependants of non-manual employees and of pensioners. 60 monthly
contributions. Allowance as percentage, varying with number of
beneficiaries, of actual or potential invalidity pension.
Dependants of manual employees and of pensioners. 200 weekly
contributions. Allowance as for dependants of non-manual employees
and of pensioners, above.
Special schemes for non-manual employees.
Employment Injury
Dependants of manual employees. Allowance as percentage, varying
with number of beneficiaries, of actual or potential pension for permanent total incapacity.
Egypt.
Any Cause
Residents of insufficient private means. Protection of aliens subject
to reciprocity and 10 years' residence, (a) Widow: under 65, whose
husband died leaving child or children living with her. Allowance at
flat rate. Supplement for each child up to three under 13 years, or
17 years if attending school, invalid or female. Where family group
lives together, family bonus. Reduced by resources, less those legally
disregarded. Ceases on remarriage. Allowance, supplement and bonus
lower in rural than in urban areas, (b) Children: age limit as above.
Full orphans, and children whose fathers are dead and mothers remarried. Flat-rate allowance per child up to four. Family bonus: per
child where orphans live separately, or per group where several orphans
live together. Reduced by resources, less those legally disregarded.
Allowance and bonus lower in rural than in urban areas.
Employment Injury
Dependants of employees of small earnings. Death due directly or
indirectly to employment injury. Widow and child under 17: grant
equal to 800 days' earnings, subject to prescribed minimum and maximum. 50-75 per cent, of this grant payable where deceased leaves
survivors other than widow or child under 17.
Finland.
Any Cause
Residents. Spouse, children under 18 or incapable of work: grant
equal to 70 per cent, of contributions paid by deceased, subject to
prescribed minimum and maximum.

174

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

Employment

Injury

Dependants of employees, (a) Widow or dependent invalid widower:
allowance of 29 per cent, of basic earnings in middle income class;
higher rates in lower income classes, lower rates in higher income classes.
(b) Children: under age 17, or under 19 if student or incapable of selfsupport; 50 per cent, of widow's allowance; 100 per cent, for full
orphans. Total allowance not to exceed 80 per cent, of potential
allowance and dependant's supplements for total loss of full faculty
and earning capacity.
France.
Any Cause
Dependants of urban employees, of unemployed and of pensioners.
Same qualifying conditions as for sickness: registered and worked for
60 hours during preceding three months, or equivalent period of unemployment. (a) Invalid widow, or invalid dependent widower;
allowance equal to 50 per cent, of actual or potential pension for total
invalidity or old age. Ceases on remarriage. Supplement of 10 per
cent, if pensioner has brought up three children. (b) Widow or widower
of old-age pensioner: age 65; dependent; marriage before deceased
attained age 60 and the spouse not a pensioner; allowance equal to
50 per cent, of actual or potential pension of deceased. Supplement
of 10 per cent, if beneficiary has brought up three children. Special
schemes for such groups as miners and seafarers.
Dependants of agricultural employees. Four monthly contributions
during preceding two quarters, or eight monthly contributions during
preceding four quarters. Grant equal to Ave times the contributions
credited to individual account during preceding four quarters.
Payable to spouse or, where there is no surviving spouse, to dependent
descendants or ascendants.
Employment Injury
Dependants of urban employees, (a) Spouse: allowance of 25 per
cent, of basic earnings, (b) Children: 15 per cent, for one dependent
child, 30 per cent, for two, 10 per cent, for each additional dependent
child, (c) Ascendants who were dependent on deceased person : allowance of 10 per cent., provided total allowances to ascendants do not
exceed 30 per cent.
Dependants of agricultural employees. Same as for dependants of
urban employees, above.
Greece.
Any Cause
Dependants of urban gainfully occupied and of pensioners. Death
of husband, wife, parent, grandparent, son or daughter; 750 days'
employment, of which 300 in preceding four years ; or receiving pension
at death. If death due to accident, 300 days of employment, of which
200 in preceding three years. If qualifying period not fulfilled, grant
equal to one year's allowance payable, if 300 days' employment, of
which 200 in preceding three years, (a) Widow: six months of marriage, or pregnant, or death due to accident. Allowance of 40 per cent.

BENEFITS PROVIDED: DEATH OF BREADWINNER

175

of actual or potential invalidity pension. Allowance ceases on remarriage, when grant equal to two years' allowance is paid, (b) Widower: indigent, disabled, and principally dependent on wife. Allowance
of 40 per cent, of wife's invalidity pension. Ceases on remarriage.
(c) Children : under 16, or under 21 if student or incapacitated. Allowance of 20 per cent, of invalidity pension; 40 per cent, for full orphan.
Total allowances not to exceed 100 per cent, of invalidity pension;
not to exceed 60 per cent, if no widow. Orphaned grandchildren and
parents living with and maintained by deceased receive allowances on
residual basis equal to 20 per cent, of invalidity pension up to total
of 60 per cent. Allowances of disabled survivors increased by 50 per
cent.
Different provisions for persons covered by funds other than Central
Social Insurance Institution.
Employment Injury
Dependants of employees. Allowances at same rate and for same
duration as for death due to any cause, above, but no qualifying conditions.
Different provisions for persons covered by funds other than Central
Social Insurance Institution.
Guatemala.
Any Cause
Dependants of gainfully occupied and of pensioners. Spouse, children,
aged parents, etc. Allowance to be determined by future regulations.
Employment Injury and Injury Due to Other Accidents
Dependants of gainfully occupied. Spouse, children, aged parents, etc.
Allowance equal to 33 % Pe? cent, of a " monetary unit " for each
dependant. If only one dependant, wife or child, allowance is doubled.
Amount of " monetary unit " determined in accordance with minimum
cost of living.
Haiti.
Employment Injury
Dependants of employees, (a) Widow: 50 per cent, of permanent
total incapacity allowance, (b) Unmarried woman who has lived as
wife with unmarried insured man for five consecutive years preceding
death: 30 per cent, of permanent total incapacity allowance, (c) Children: to age 16, 20 per cent, of permanent total incapacity allowance.
Total allowance to widow and orphans may not exceed 80 per cent.
of permanent total incapacity allowance.
Hungary.
Any Cause
Dependants of employees and of pensioners. Death of insured person,
or of old-age or invalidity pensioner; allowance to spouse and orphans.
200 weekly contributions, (a) Widow: age 55 years, invalidity or
maintenance of two or more children entitled to orphans' allowances.
Allowance at flat rate varying with occupational category of insured
person, (b) Half orphans: 15 per cent, of widow's allowance, (c) Full
orphans: 30 per cent, of widow's allowance.

176

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL

SECURITY

Employment Injury
Dependants of employees. Allowance equal to allowance for incapacity of at least 50 per cent. Allowances for widow, parents and grandparents range from 20 to 150 per cent, of the sum on which pension
for loss of capacity of at least 50 per cent, is based. Half orphans:
10 per cent, of such sum; full orphans: 30 per cent, of such sum.
Iceland.
Any Cause
Resident nationals. Full benefit conditional upon regular payment
of contributions, (a) Widow: under 67. Allowance at flat rate
for three months, continued at lower rate for nine months if child
under 16. (b) Necessitous widow whose husband died, or whose last
child reached age 16, after she reached age 50: allowance not exceeding
that payable to widow in case of death due to employment injury.
(c) Children : allowance for each child under age 16 at twice rate of child
maintenance allowance; may be increased up to 50 per cent, for full
orphans.
Employment Injury
Dependants of employees, (a) Widow or widower: grant at flat rate
varying with cost of living. If age 50, or 50 per cent, incapacity, also
allowance at flat rate varying with cost of living, (b) Children under
age 16 : allowance at flat rate varying with cost of living ; may be increased
by up to 50 per cent, for full orphan. If over 16, but invalid and more
than 15 percent, dependent on deceased, grant at flat rate varying
with cost of living and with degree of dependency, (c) Parent and
invalid brothers and sisters over 16: grant at flat rate varying with
cost of living and with degree of dependency.
India.
Employment Injury
Dependants of factory employees of small earnings, (a) Widow(s):
allowance equal to 60 per cent, of total incapacity allowance. (b) Children: 40 per cent, for each child under 15, unmarried if daughter; may
be paid till 18 if continuing education. Total allowance not to exceed
incapacity allowance. If no widow or child, total benefit not exceeding
50 per cent, is payable to other dependants; to parent or grandparent
payable for life ; to other dependant payable until age 15, or if a female,
until marriage, if earlier.
Iran.
Employment Injury
Dependants of urban manual employees, (a) Widow: allowance of
20 per cent, of last earnings, (b) Children : allowance of 15-40 per cent.
for one to four or more children, (c) Parents: allowance of 10-15 per
cent, if they have no other children.
Ireland.
Any Cause
Residents of insufficient private means, (a) Widow: age between 48
and 70, or under 48 if child of deceased husband is under 14, or under 16 if
student. Allowance at flat rate, lower for rural areas, (b) Children:

BENEFITS PROVIDED: DEATH OF BREADWINNER

177

allowance at flat rate per child, lower for third and subsequent children.
Higher rates for full orphans. Lower rates in rural areas. Income in
excess of prescribed amount is deducted.
Dependants of manual employees and of non-manual employees of small
means. 104 weeks of insurance and 104 weekly contributions ; if 208 weeks
of insurance or more, annual average of 26 contributions paid or credited
during three or five years preceding death or attainment of age 70.
(a) Widow: allowance at flat rate, lower for widows of persons normally
engaged in agricultural employment, and also for rural areas. At age
70, convertible into old-age pension without means, nationality or residence test, (b) Children : under 14, or under 16 if student ; allowance
at flat rate per child, higher for first child, lower for third and fourth
children. Higher rates for full orphans, reduced for children of persons
normally engaged in agricultural employment. Lower rates in rural
areas.
Italy.
Any Cause
Dependants of employees and of pensioners. Five years' insurance.
Prescribed minimum amount of contributions in old-age or invalidity
insurance, (a) Widow or widower: allowance of 50 per cent, of actual
or potential pension; ceases on remarriage. Supplement for widow
over 50 or invalid, (b) Children : under age 16 for manual employees,
18 for non-manual employees; allowance of 10 per cent.; 20 per cent.
for full orphans. If qualifying conditions not fulfilled but one year's
contribution completed, grant equal to contributions subject to prescribed minimum and maximum.
Employment Injury
Dependants of urban employees, (a) Widow, or widower if 66% per
cent, incapacity: allowance of 50 per cent, of permanent total incapacity
allowance; ceases on remarriage, (b) Children: under 18 or invalid.
Allowance of 20 per cent, each; 40 per cent, if full orphan, (c) Ascendant: no widow or children surviving. Allowance of 20 per cent. each.
Dependants of agricultural employees. Widow, widower if 66% per
cent, incapacity, children under 15, or, if no other survivors, ascendants:
grant at rates varying with age and sex of deceased.
Luxembourg.
Any Cause
Dependants of manual employees, of non-manual employees of small
earnings, and of pensioners, (a) Widow, or widower incapable of work:
10 years' insurance; five years' marriage. Allowance equal to 66% per
cent, of basic amount of actual or potential invalidity pension of spouse,
plus 50 per cent, of increment to such pension, (b) Children: under 18.
Allowance equal to 33 % per cent, of basic amount, plus 20 per cent, of
increment for each child. Total allowance not to exceed invalidity
pension plus children's supplements, (c) Grandchildren: under 18.
Same allowance as for children, if children's allowances do not attain
maximum. One quarter of each allowance reduced to extent of employment injury allowance if any. Special scheme for private non-manual
employees.

178

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

Employment Injury
Dependants of employees and of farmers, (a) Widow: allowance of
30 per cent, of earnings. Commuted on remarriage for grant equal to 60
per cent, of annual earnings. Where widow's working capacity reduced
by 50 per cent, for more than three months, allowance increased to 40 per
cent, (b) Children: under 18. Allowance of 20 per cent, of earnings.
(c) Ascendant: dependent; in need of aid. Allowance of 30 percent, of
earnings, (d) Grandchildren: dependent; full orphans; under 18 and
necessitous. Allowance of 20 per cent, of earnings in aggregate.
Allowances to ascendants and to grandchildren payable only if maximum
not absorbed by widows' and children's allowances. Total allowance
not to exceed 80 per cent, of earnings.
Mexico.
Any Cause
Dependants of employees, of members of producers'1 co-operatives and
of pensioners. 150 weekly contributions, (a) Widow or invalid widower: allowance of 40 per cent, of invalidity or old-age pension or potential
pension of deceased, (b) Children: under 16, or under 25 if student
or invalid. Allowance of 20 per cent, each; 30 per cent, for full orphans.
Total allowances not to exceed amount of pension or potential pension
of deceased.
Employment injury
Dependants of employees and of members of producers' co-operatives.
(a) Widow or invalid widower: allowance equal to 36 per cent, of total
permanent incapacity allowance, (b) Children: under 16, or under
25 if student or invalid. Allowance of 20 per cent, each; 30 per cent.
each for full orphans. Total allowance not to exceed amount of total
permanent incapacity allowance or potential allowance.
Netherlands.
Any Cause
Dependants of employees of small earnings, of pensioners and of
unemployed. 40 weekly contributions, (a) Widow: age 60 or invalid.
Allowance of 120 per cent, of basic invalidity pension. State supplement
of 100 per cent., plus fixed amount where there are children, (b) Children: under 16. Collectively same allowance as for widow until youngest
attains age 16. State supplement per child as for invalidity: flat rate. 1
Employment Injury
Dependants of employees, (a) Widow or dependent widower:
allowance of 30 per cent, of basic earnings. Ceases on remarriage.
(b) Children: under 16. 15 per cent, for each child; 20 per cent, for
full orphan. State supplement at flat rate as under invalidity, minus
pension, (c) Parents or, if no parents, grandparents, orphan grandchildren and parents-in-law: amount of contributions paid. Maximum
of 30 per cent, for parents, grandparents or parents-in-law; and 20 per
cent, for each orphan grandchild. Total allowance not to exceed
60 per cent, of earnings.
1

Temporary increase of benefits by 5 per cent, from 1 January 1950.

BENEFITS PROVIDED: DEATH OF BREADWINNER

179

Vom '/actione

J4«2/ Cause

Residents of insufficient private means, (a) Widow with child under 16. Child must have been born in New Zealand, or parents must
have resided in New Zealand for preceding three years, (b) Widow
without dependent children who has had one or more children but whose
marriage, or marriage and period of widowhood during which widow
cared for at least one child, was 15 years. Widow must have resided in
New Zealand with husband for three years preceding his death.
(c) Widow (i) who was married five years and became widow after age 50,
or (ii) who being at least age 50 became widow after 40, provided that
15 years have elapsed since marriage, and that marriage lasted 10 years.
Allowance at flat rate, reduced by income in excess of prescribed amount.
For widow without children, who has attained age 60, deduction also
made in respect of property. Supplement payable to widow with
one or more dependent children. Widow whose husband has been in
receipt of miner's pension is entitled to allowance at slightly lower rate,
but no deduction made in respect of income, (d) Children: full orphan;
born in New Zealand or whose last surviving parent had lived in New
Zealand for the three years preceding death. Allowance at flat rate
reduced by income.
Employment Injury
Dependants of employees. Grant equal to 250 times weekly earnings,
subject to prescribed minimum and maximum. Reduced grant to
partial dependants. Amount of allowance received in respect of injury
which caused death, and any grant in lieu thereof together with compensation in respect of death, subject to prescribed maximum.
Norway.
Employment Injury
Dependants of employees in industry, transport, building, forestry, etc.
(a) Widow: allowance of 40 per cent, of earnings. Commuted on
remarriage for grant equal to three times annual allowance, (b) Children: under 16; allowance at flat rate per child, reduced for second and
subsequent children. For full orphans, allowance of 40 per cent, of
earnings for first child; and allowance at flat rate for second and subsequent children. Earnings reckoned subject to prescribed minimum and
maximum. Total allowance not to exceed 90 per cent, of earnings.
Peru.
Any Cause (excluding Employment Injury)
Dependants of employees of small means and of pensioners. Widow
and children under 17 : grant equal to 50 per cent, of last annual earnings.
Special scheme for salaried employees.
Poland.
Any Cause
Dependants of employees and of pensioners. 200 weeks' membership ;
non-manual workers, 60 months' membership, (a) Widow: age 55, or
invalid, or having one child under seven years of age or two children
entitled to orphans' allowances or several children who on father's

180

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

death were entitled to orphans' allowances; in latter case allowance
granted for life. Allowance varies with wage classes. Allowance
increased by 50 per cent, if the widow requires constant attendance.
Payment ceases in case of remarriage. Allowance reduced by half if
widow entitled to invalidity or old-age pension in own right, (b) Children: under 18, or 24 if student; in case of invalidity, no age limit.
Flat-rate allowance increasing progressively up to third child, then
constant; special flat-rate supplement for full orphans.
Employment Injury
Dependants of employees and of landowners of small means.
(a) Widow: allowance granted in respect of widowhood without further
conditions. Increased by 50 per cent, if widow requires constant
attendance, (b) Children: to age 24 if student; flat-rate allowance
increasing progressively up to third child, then constant. Special flat
rate for all full orphans, (c) Other dependent survivors: allowance
for first dependant equal to widow's allowance; increased by 25 per
cent, for each additional dependant. Supplement of 50 per cent, if
constant attendance needed. Total allowances for survivors, including
the allowance paid to the widow, may not exceed the allowance paid
in case of total incapacity.
Portugal.
Any Cause
Dependants of employees in specified occupations, of independent
workers in such activities, of persons in certain professional categories
(lawyers, doctors) and of pensioners. Three contribution years. Lump
sum normally equal to six months' earnings.
Dependants of public servants. Allowance based on contributions
paid, subject to maximum of 10 times the contribution.
Dependants of railway workers. Allowance fixed normally at 50 per
cent, of old-age or invalidity pension.
Employment Injury
Dependants of employees, (a) Widow: allowance of 25 per cent.
of earnings, (b) Children: allowance of 15 per cent, for each child up to
fourth, (c) Other dependants when no allowance payable to widow
or children : allowance of 10 per cent., subject to maximum of 40 per cent.
El Salvador.
Any Cause
Dependants of gainfully occupied and of pensioners. Relatives to
fourth degree of consanguinity or second of affinity. Allowance to be
determined by future regulations.
Sweden.
Any Cause
Resident nationals of small means, (a) Widow: age 55 if married
five years, or irrespective of age with child under 10. Allowance at
flat rate plus housing supplement varying with local cost of housing.
Supplement for each child under age 16. Reduced by income and pro-

BENEFITS PROVIDED: DEATH OF BREADWINNER

181

perty in excess of prescribed amounts, (b) Widower with child under 10:
same allowance and housing supplement as for widow, (c) Children:
under 16; allowance at flat rate, higher if full orphan.
Employment Injury
Dependants of employees, (a) Widow or dependent widower:
allowance of 33>/3 per cent, of basic earnings, (b) Children: under 16;
allowance of 162/3 per cent, (c) Parents: dependant's allowance of
not more than 25 per cent. Total allowance not to exceed 83% P e r
cent, of basic earnings.
Switzerland.
Any Cause
Residents, (a) Widow: entitled to full allowance if contributions
have been paid for at least one year and the age class of the insured
was liable to payment of contributions for at least 20 years. Partial
allowance payable if contributions paid for at least one year and if the
age class of the insured was liable to payment of contributions for at
least one year but for less than 20 years. Age 40 or over and married
for five years, or with children, irrespective of dependency. Allowance
as percentage of single old-age pension corresponding to average contribution of husband and wife, and varying from 50 per cent, for widow
under 30 at time of husband's death to 90 per cent, for widow aged 60
or over. Prescribed minimum. Ceases on remarriage or on receipt of
old-age pension, (b) Widow not entitled to allowance: if under 30,
grant equal to annual single old-age pension; if over 30, twice this
amount, (c) Children of insured father: one contribution year. Under 18,
or under 21 if student. Insured father. Allowance equal to 30 per cent, oí
single old-age pension, subject to prescribed minimum and maximum.
For full orphan, 45 per cent, of single old-age pension, subject to prescribed minimum and maximum. Where beneficiary entitled to allowance
in respect of employment injury, total of both allowances not to exceed
116% per cent, of presumed earnings of victim if accident had not
occurred.
Resident nationals of insufficient means. Widows and orphans not
entitled to insurance allowance: allowances at flat rates, higher for urban
and semi-urban areas; subject to means test.
Employment Injury and Injury by Other Accidents
Dependants of employees in industry, building and public and private
transport, (a) Widow or widower incapacitated for work: allowance
of 30 per cent, of basic earnings; commuted on remarriage for grant
equal to three times annual allowance, (b) Children: under 16; allowance of 15 per cent, for each child; 25 per cent, for full orphan, (c)
Ascendants in direct line and brothers and sisters under 16: allowance
equal to 20 per cent, in aggregate where allowance for wife and children
does not attain maximum for total allowances, which is 60 per cent.
of earnings.
Turkey.
Any Cause
Dependants of urban employees and of pensioners, (a) Widow:
grant equal to 50 per cent, of total amount of contributions. (b) Chil-

182

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

dren : under 18 ; grant of 25 per cent, each : 30 per cent, for full orphans.
Total not to exceed sum of contributions.
Employment

Injury

Dependants of urban employees, (a) Widow or dependent invalid
widower: allowance of 30 per cent, of earnings, (b) Children: under 16,
or under 18 if student ; allowance of 15 per cent, for each child ; 25 per
cent, for full orphans, (c) Other dependants: allowance of 30 per cent.
if no widow (widower) or children, and the difference between their
allowance and 60 per cent, if there is a widow (widower) and/or children.
Earnings reckoned subject to prescribed maximum.

Union of South Africa.
Employment Injury
Dependants of employees of small earnings. Non-Natives: (a)
widow or invalid widower: grant based on earnings, and allowance
of 40 per cent, of allowance payable for permanent incapacity ; commuted
on remarriage for grant equal to 24 times monthly allowance; (b)
children: under 16; may be extended if invalid; unmarried; allowance
of 20 per cent, of permanent incapacity allowance; increased for full
orphans. Total allowance not to exceed permanent incapacity allowance.
If no widow or children, allowance payable to other dependants, not
exceeding 40 per cent, of permanent incapacity allowance. Natives:
grant determined by Commissioner, not exceeding amount payable for
permanent incapacity.
United Kingdom.
Any Cause
Residents, (a) Widow: 156 weekly contributions paid since entry
into insurance, with yearly average of 50 contributions paid or credited.
Reduced benefit payable if contribution conditions only partially
satisfied; (i) temporary allowance: allowance at flat rate with supplement for one dependent child; payable for 13 weeks following death
of husband ; (ii) widowed mother's allowance : payable on termination
of temporary allowance while widow has dependent child; allowance at
flat rate, lower than rate of temporary allowance; reduced by earnings
in excess of prescribed amount; (iii) widows' pension: payable on termination of temporary allowance if widow has no child, is over 50 but
under 60, and was married 10 years ; on termination of widowed mother's
allowance if over 40 but under 60, and 10 years have elapsed since
date of marriage ; and on termination of either allowance while pregnant
by late husband, or under 60 and incapable of self-support by reason
of infirmity. Pension at flat rate, lower than rates of allowances.
Reduced by earnings in excess of prescribed amount. Payable till age 60,
when retirement pension payable, (b) Children: full orphan within
the limits set out for child maintenance ; if at least one parent was insured
person; guardian's allowance payable at flat rate, replaces right to
family allowance.
Persons of insufficient means. Assistance granted equal to excess
of computed requirements over resources less those legally disregarded.

BENEFITS PROVIDED: DEATH OF BREADWINNER

Employment

183

Injury

Dependants of employees, (a) Widow: resident with or maintained
by deceased; allowance at flat rate, higher during first 13 weeks. Permanent rate lower for widow under 50, without dependent children, who
is capable of self-support. Commuted on remarriage for grant equal
to 52 times weekly allowance, (b) Widower: dependent on wife and
permanently incapable of self-support; allowance at flat rate, (c)
Children : full orphan within the limits set for child maintenance ; allowance at flat rate for one child, (d) Parents: dependent; allowance at
flat rate for parents wholly or mainly maintained by deceased, higher
for one parent living alone. Grant at flat rate to parents maintained
to substantial extent, (e) Other relatives: dependent; pension, temporary allowance or grant payable at flat rates, depending upon degree
of maintenance, capacity for self-support, and whether pension payable
to spouse or parent, (f) Woman caring for children of deceased:
allowance at flat rate payable during care of child.
United States.
Any Cause
Dependants of urban employees and of pensioners, (a) Widow
aged 65 or more: husband employed during 40 quarters or half of quarters since 1936 (or age 21) and before age 65 (minimum of six quarters).
Living with husband at his death. Allowance equal to 75 per cent, of
old-age pension based on husband's past earnings. Payable till death
or remarriage, (b) Widow caring for deceased's child: husband employed during 40 quarters, half of quarters since 1936 (or age 21) and
before age 65 (minimum of six quarters), or half of immediately preceding
12 quarters. Living with husband at his death. Allowance equal to
75 per cent, of old-age pension based on husband's past earnings. Payable
until no child under 18, remarriage, or entitlement to aged widow's
pension, (c) Children: under 18; unmarried; dependent. Parent
employed during 40 quarters, half of quarters since 1936 (or age 21)
and before age 65 (minimum of six quarters), or half of immediately
preceding 12 quarters. Allowance equal to 50 per cent, of old-age pension based on parent's past earnings for each child. Payable till age 18.
(d) Parents: age over 65 and mainly dependent on deceased. Deceased
employed during 40 quarters, or half of quarters since 1936 (or age 21)
and before age 65 (minimum of six quarters). No widow or child beneficiary. Allowance equal to 50 per cent, of old-age pension based on
deceased's past earnings. If above survivors not qualified for pension,
grant equal to six months' old-age pension or funeral expenses payable.
No allowance paid for months in which earnings of beneficiaries in
covered employment in excess of nominal amount. Total allowance
not to exceed 80 per cent, of average earnings of deceased, twice old-age
pension based on past earnings or prescribed maximum, whichever is
least. Dependants of seafarers included. Special Federal scheme for
railway employees.
Residents of insufficient means. Assistance payable in respect of
needy dependent child under 16, or under 18 if student, deprived of
parental support by reason of death of parent and living with surviving
parent or other relative. Income and resources of child considered in
determination of need.

184

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

Employment

Injury

Dependants of urban employees. State schemes and special Federal
schemes. Death due to accidental injury in course of employment.
Under majority of laws, death must have occurred within specified time
after injury. Allowance payable to surviving widow or incapacitated
widower and to children and sometimes to dependent parents or other
dependent relatives on residual basis. Allowances in most States percentage of deceased's average earnings below prescribed ceiling; a few
provide flat-rate allowances. Percentage usually increases according
to number of children. Maximum prescribed for allowance both in
monetary amounts and in percentage of average earnings; latter range
from 30 to 66% per cent, for widow, and from 50 to 80 per cent, for
widow plus children. Majority of States limit duration of allowance
to specific period ranging from 260 to 600 weeks, to cumulative aggregate
amount, or both. Majority provide for reduction, commutation or
other restriction of allowance for non-resident alien dependants.
Uruguay.
Any Cause
Dependants of employees in industry, commerce and public utilities,
and of pensioners. Widow or invalid widower, dependent children and
unmarried sisters : allowance equal to 50 per cent, of actual or potential
invalidity or old-age pension.
Dependants of agricultural employees and of employers. 10 years'
service; two years' membership. Widow or invalid widower, dependent
children and unmarried sisters : allowance equal to invalidity pension—
2.5 per cent, of average earnings for each year of membership.
Venezuela.
Employment Injury
Dependants of urban employees. Widow or invalid widower, children
under 18, aged dependent relatives: grant equal to two years' earnings,
subject to prescribed maximum.

CHAPTER III

ORGANISATION
INTRODUCTION

In this chapter the organisation of social security in each
country is very briefly characterised under headings grouping
together all contingencies which are administered by the same
institutions or authorities. The category of persons protected in
the contingency or contingencies concerned is mentioned only
where two or more schemes of different type (compulsory social
insurance, public service, social assistance or voluntary social
insurance) cover the same contingency or contingencies.
The chief central administrative institution or authority and
the main local or regional administrative bodies or services are
mentioned, and the representation, if any, of protected persons
and employers.
There follows a reference to the main supervisory body, and
the right of appeal, if any, to bodies independent of the administrative authorities or institutions which gave the decision
appealed against.
For federal States, a general summary of organisation under
the schemes of the constituent States is given.
Argentine Republic.
Maternity, Invalidity, Old Age, Funeral,
Death of Breadwinner and Employment Injury
State Social Insurance Institution comprising, as sections, former
occupational social insurance institutions; tripartite representation;
under supervision of Ministry of Labour and Social Security. Appeal
lies to Directorate of Institution.
Maternity (Medical Care)
Ministry of Health.
Condition Requiring Medical Care (Social Assistance)
Director-General of Public Health Service, under Ministry of Health,
supervises care furnished by public hospitals.

186

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

Maintenance of Community Health
Ministry of Health.
Old Age (Social Assistance)
Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

Australia.
Maternity, Child Maintenance, Sickness, Invalidity, Unemployment,
Old Age, Funeral (Any Cause 1) and Death of Breadwinner from
Any Cause 1
Director-General of Social Services, under Minister for Social Services,
and directors of social services in each State. Regional offices and
registrars. Appeal from decisions of officers to Director-General.
Condition Requiring Medical Care
Director-General of Health, under Minister for Health, assisted by
advisory committees.
Employment Injury
State schemes. Tripartite boards or commissions in some States,
especially for miners. Medical referees. Appeal lies to courts in some
States, especially where there is no board or commission.

Maternity and Sickness and Condition Requiring Medical Care
in connection therewith; Funeral (Any Cause)
Employees, pensioners and unemployed. Regional sickness funds
organised separately for employees in agricultural and non-agricultural
occupations ; funds set up for specified branches of industry, for railway
workers, for employees in mines, and for individual establishments.
Independent workers. Artisans' funds.
Child Maintenance
The Minister of Finance, through equalisation funds for assistance
to children; collection of contributions through fiscal agencies and, in
certain cases, through the sickness funds.
Invalidity and Condition Requiring Medical Care in connection therewith ;
Old Age and Death of Breadwinner from Any Cause
Central institutions subdivided in respect of manual and nonmanual workers and according to categories of employment (agriculture, forestry, mines, handicrafts).
All the above institutions are administered by representatives of
employers and of insured persons.
1
Where the heading " Death of Breadwinner from Any Cause " or " Funeral (Any Cause) " precedes a heading " Employment Injury", "any cause"
means any cause exclusive of employment injury, or subject to co-ordination
of the two types of benefit.

ORGANISATION

187

All are affiliated to the Austrian Federation of Social Insurance
Institutions and are placed under the supervision of the Ministry
of Social Welfare. Disputes concerning right to benefit are brought
before special insurance court.
Unemployment
The application of unemployment insurance is entrusted to employment offices, which are State agencies under the supervision of the
Ministry of Social Welfare. Joint committees composed of representatives of employers and of insured persons are set up in the employment
offices.
Employment Injury
Central institutions organised separately according to category of
employment. All the institutions are administered by representatives
of employers and of insured persons. They are affiliated to the Austrian
Federation of Social Insurance Institutions and placed under the supervision of the Ministry of Social Welfare.
Belgium.
Maternityx, Condition Requiring Medical Care, Sickness, Invalidity and
Funeral (Any Cause)
Voluntary Scheme.
Recognised mutual benefit societies conforming with specified legal
provisions; managed by insured persons. Permanent Government Commission, on which mutual benefit societies represented, considers
questions submitted to it by Ministries on the subject of organisation of
mutual associations.
Compulsory Scheme.
National unions of federations of recognised mutual benefit societies
approved by Royal Order. Regional sickness and invalidity insurance
offices. Employee liable to compulsory insurance is free to join a mutual
benefit society affiliated to an approved federation or to obtain coverage
through a regional office. Insurance carriers responsible for own administration.
For collection of social security contributions, National Social
Security Office set up in Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare. Public
institution administered under State guarantee by committee including
representatives of employers and employees.
National Sickness and Invalidity Insurance Fund representing employers, employees, approved national unions of federations of mutual
benefit societies, and the Ministries of Labour and Social Welfare, of
Health, and of Finance. Apportions funds assigned to it by National
Social Security Office among insurance carriers, ensures operation of
regional sickness and invalidity insurance offices, and supervises operations of approved and national unions.
Advisory professional council for research and co-ordination.
Supervision of administrative bodies by Government commissioners.
1