PUBLIC LAWS-CH. 214-MAY 29, 1944 34 U. S. C. 399a, 399b. Annuity payments; requirements. Rate "Basic salary, pay, or compensation. " Payments in month- ly Installments. Administration of Act. Application for an- nuity. Adjudication of claim. Commencement and continuance of annuities. Surviving we. Canal, and the Canal Zone, during the construction period of the Panama Canal, from May 4, 1904, to March 31, 1914, inclusive, by civilian officials and employees, citizens of the United States, the thanks of Congress are hereby extended to all and each of them so engaged or employed, who were not included in the recognition and benefits accorded by the Act of March 4, 1915 (38 Stat. 1190). SEC. 2. That in further recognition of the exceptional character of the services described in section 1, each civilian official and each civilian employee entitled to receive the thanks of Congress agree- ably to the provisions of section 1, who has not been heretofore spe- cially rewarded by gratuity, annuity, or other benefit under any provision of law; and who was engaged with, or employed by, the Isthmian Canal Commission or the Panama Railroad Company on the Isthmus of Panama during the aforesaid construction period of the Panama Canal, for three years or more; and who, during such service, was a citizen of the United States; and who, on the date whereon this Act becomes effective, shall be living, shall be entitled to receive, and there shall be paid to him by the Government of the United States, for and during the remainder of his life, an annuity, based on the salary, pay, or compensation received by, and paid to him, for his aforesaid service, as follows: Forty per centum of his average annual basic salary, pay, or com- pensation if such service was for as much as three years and not more than four years; Fifty per centum of his average annual basic salary, pay, or com- pensation if such service was for more than four years and not exceeding six years; and Sixty per centum of his average annual basic salary, pay, or com- pensation if such service was for more than six years. The term "basic salary, pay, or compensation", as used in this Act, shall be so construed as to exclude from the operation of the Act all bonuses, allowances, overtime pay, or salary, pay, or compensation given in addition to the base pay of the position as fixed by law or regulations. SEC. 3. Annuities granted under the provisions of this Act shall be due and payable in monthly installments on the first business day of the month following the month or other period for which the annuity shall have accrued; and payment of all annuities and allowances granted hereunder shall be made by checks drawn by the disbursing clerk for the payment of pensions, in such form and manner, and with such safeguards as shall be prescribed by the Civil Service Commission, in accordance with the laws, rules, and regulations governing accounting that may be found applicable to such pay- ments; and the administration of this Act shall be under the Civil Service Commission. Each application for annuity hereunder shall be in such form as the Civil Service Commission may prescribe and shall be supported by such certificate from the head of the department, branch, or inde- pendent office of the Government, or the Panama Canal, or the Panama Railroad Company, which may have in possession the record of any service described or referred to in this Act, as may be neces- sary to determine the rights of the applicant. Upon receipt of satis- factory evidence, the Civil Service Commission shall forthwith adjudicate the claim of the applicant, and, if title to annuity be established, a proper certificate shall be issued to the annuitant under the seal of the Civil Service Commission. SEC. 4 . Annuities granted under the provisions of this Act shall commence from the date whereon the Act takes effect and shall con- tinue during the life of the annuitant: Provided, however, That in 258 [58 STAT.
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