Tuesday, June 19, 2018

The Terror Fund

This got brought up today by Focus News Magazine here in Germany.  There's a new segment tied into the German budget....basically paying you for your 'losses' if your family member got killed in some terror act or extremist act.

But as the reality of the amount unfolded....relatives started to question the government.  I suspect they were thinking it'd be a 'lot' more.

So from the terror attack in Berlin around Xmas from 18 months ago....one daughter noted her dad's passing in the attack, and the amount of monthly pension granted to her.....is 140 Euro (roughly 160 US dollars).

How this is figured up?  Well....some government guy wrote the magic formula which creates a monthly pension deal, and the amount at the low end is 140 Euro, and at the high-end....736 Euro (roughly 900 US dollars).  If you were a spouse or life-partner, you can figure you'd get 443 Euro per month (roughly 550 US dollars).

It's hard to say where the fairness level lies with this business.  I imagine some people were thinking it'd be a thousand Euro a month.  Could a wife with two kids survive off 736 Euro a month after the husband/father dies in a situation like this?  No.  That would basically give you near 900 US dollars a month. 

In some way, it's the government's way of saying....here, here's a gift for your loss.  I do agree, it's on the low side. 

No comments: