# *Q. for GB. to Ross

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Posted by ros4GB [ros] on October 29, 1999 at 06:08:14 {CAtoZJLIp2dmhhsMJ.h27/SY5I9NtE}:

In Reply to: Q. for GB. to Ross posted by Shamrock on October 28, 1999 at 21:05:04:

Dear Ros,

The person named Shamrock asked a very good question. Please forward this reply. You may edit it of course. The substance may be posted on the H20 forum.

________________

Dear Shamrock

You asked about more financial support for the Pioneers. You are right in that they spend many years or even a lifetime working hard to preach the preach the Good News. Technically, they do not work for, nor are they employed by the Society. You also noted that in their old age they are left without any income. You feel this is a shame because the Society has significant financial resources.

I agree with you that Pioneers, and other full time workers, such as Bethelites, Circuit and District Overseers should be given additional help. Many, if not most, Pioneers are working part time or are self-employed. They should be contributing to Social Security. When they retire, this is something they are entitled to. Also, the Government has tax provisions for personal retirement savings beyond what Social Security provides.

If the Society provides some level of additional income to Pioneers beyond what is now provided, we will incur tax obligations even though we are normally tax-exempt. That is one reason, I believe, that more help has not been offered. In the churches, pastors are normally paid a living wage, but have to pay taxes. the church has to pay their share of the Social Security and whatever the local state imposes in the way of unemployment benefits.

In fact, tax considerations are why Bethelites take a vow of poverty. Also, they cannot hold a second job or accept gifts beyond a certain value. It can be very complicated. Other religious organizations face the same issue. Notably Catholic Priests and Nuns take similar vows of poverty for many of the same reasons.

Nevertheless, I believe that Pioneers should receive more help. You are correct that the Society has the means. I am sure that if the Society called upon the congregations to help that more contributions would be sent in to support pioneers.

We greatly improved our financial situation years ago when we required all congregations to pay off their literature accounts and pay for new literature in advance. This eliminated a lot of cash flow issues for the Society. Also, congregations have been asked to pay off their Kingdom Halls early for the same reason. The reason given was to increase to amount available for new quick-build projects. But little was said that old Kingdom Hall loans were made at 3% interest up until the late 1980s. The Society now charges rates closer to market rates.

The Society is heavily invested in the stock market and has billions in gross worth if one counts all the real estate, equipment, supplies, inventory, common stock and willed estates. This is among the reasons I am on the Internet, so that I can shake things up some.

By the way, I saw your post where you stated some confusion about me. Just so you know, I am not affiliated with ACJ or any group other than Jehovah's Witnesses. The part in that post about some of the Governing Body having dirt on other members is not true. I have some documents which I think will be of interest to certain parties, but nothing of a sensational nature. At least not yet.

Best regards,

Follow Ups:

- **Q. for GB. to Ross Sunspot 20:54:14 10/29/99 (0)
- **Q. for GB. to Ross TO ALL Re:GB 08:48:09 10/29/99 (0)
- **Q. for GB. to Ross BUSTED - J 07:10:05 10/29/99 (8)
  - ***Q. for GB. to Ross Liberal Elder 21:58:16 10/29/99 (0)
  - ***Q. for GB. to Ross Shamrock 20:31:24 10/29/99 (2)
    - ****Q. for GB. to Ross J 21:50:53 10/29/99 (1)
      - *****Q. for GB. to Ross KENT? --ros 07:15:54 10/30/99 (0)
  - ***Q. for GB. to Ross IBelieve 14:12:21 10/29/99 (0)
  - ***Q. for GB. to Ross metatron 08:08:49 10/29/99 (1)
    - ****Q. for GB. to Ross J 08:34:23 10/29/99 (0)
  - ***Q. for GB. to Ross felix a 08:07:34 10/29/99 (0)

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