In its June 2, 1999 letter to bodies of elders in the U.S., the Society addressed the issue of aging traveling overseers.
"Each year a number of brothers and sisters find that they are no longer able ... some are advanced in age and have served for man, many years.... some are widows whose deceased husband had been serving as traveling overseers."
They suggest Social Security for those who had worked PRIOR to being on the road. I believe one still has to work 40 quarters (10 years) to qualify for regular SS benefits. "Others have believing relatives who care for them ..."
"However, in many cases, the Society gives support to such ones with a long record of faithful service by providing health-care services and a modest monthly reimbursement for housing and other expenses, up to $430 a month each."
If a KH adds an apartment that will be used for the use of a traveling overseer, and "if a loan from the Society's Kingdom Hall Fund is approved, the Society may care for a portion of this expense."
You can write the Society about such issues, Attention: Health Care Support. The Service Desk handling this at the time of that letter was Desk SDO.
I have mixed emotions about this, happy that some arrangement was made, but understanding clearly that most are subjected to a meager existence that in some cases has been downright pitiful. I know, I've talked to many of them who sincerely trusted the organization who told them the end was right around the corner.
Maximus
