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INTRODUCTION.

Under an act of Congress approved October C, 1917, members of the military forces of the United States, in addition to other privileges, are given the right to take out insurance with the Government. This act is being administered by the Secretary of the Treasury, through the Bureau of War Risk Insurance of the Treasury Department.

It is to the advantage of everyone entitled to do so to take out this insurance, and since the time within which it may be secured is limited I desire to bring the facts promptly to the attention of the soldiers and sailors of the Nation, so that they may be advised of their rights.

This pamphlet is designed to explain as clearly and briefly as possible some of the essential facts that should be known by the men and women who are applying for war insurance. The questions and answers are based on inquiries that have come to the Treasury from soldiers and sailors. It is hoped that the material may prove helpful, both to officers and enlisted men. If additional information is required, enlisted men should ask their officers.

The Bureau of War Risk Insurance, Treasury Department, will at all times be glad to answer any further question relating to this subject.

The necessity of prompt action with regard to this insurance can not be emphasized too strongly. Persons who were in the service on or before October 15, 1917, can not apply for the insurance after February 12, 1918. Those who joined the service after October 15, 1917, have 120 days thereafter in which to apply.

It is dangerous to procrastinate. The Government is making a liberal, an unprecedented offer to its fighting forces; but the offer is open for only a limited period. Now is the time to act.

W. G. McAdoo,
Secretary of the Treasury.
Washington, D. C, January 7, 1918.

WHAT IT IS.

1. Q. By whom is this insurance offered?

A. By the United States Government, as authorized in an act of Congress for that purpose approved October 6, 1917.

2. Q. What security is back of this contract of insurance? A. The United States Government.

3. Q. Is it the only protection furnished by the Government to its soldiers and sailors?

A. No. The Government has provided, in addition, compensation for death or injuries or disease suffered in line of duty.

4. Q. The insurance, then, is in addition to compensation?

A. Yes; and they are entirely independent of each other.

5. Q. Does insurance interfere with service or retirement pay?

A. No; the right to insurance is independent of the right to service or retirement pay.

6. Q. Am I compelled to take insurance?

A. No; you may take it or not, as you see fit. The Government recommends it but does not compel you to take it.

INSURED -- BENEFICIARIES.

7. Q. Who can be insured?

A. When engaged in active service under the War Department or Navy Department, any of the following can be insured:

(1) Commissioned officers.

(2) Enlisted men (meaning a person, male or female, enlisted, enrolled, or drafted into active service in the military or naval forces of the United States, including non-commissioned and petty officers and members of training camps authorized by law).

(3) Members of the Army Nurse Corps (female) and members of the Navy Nurse Corps (female).

8. Q. Who can be named as beneficiary?

A. Any one or more of the following may be named: Wife, husband, child, grandchild, brother, sister, adopted brother, adopted sister, stepbrother, stepsister, parent, grandparent, or step-parent of the insured, and parent, grandparent, or step-parent of the insured's wife or husband.

9. Q. Can I name as a beneficiary anyone other than those named in No. 8; for instance, a trustee or guardian or the legal representative of some one in the permitted class or my estate?

A. No; only those in the permitted class may be named. In case a minor or person mentally incompetent is named as beneficiary payment will be made to a guardian or some other person legally vested with the responsibility or care of the beneficiary.

10. Q. Can I name as beneficiary a person who is not a citizen of the United States or one who resides in another country?

A. Yes. If such beneficiary is in the permitted class and if he be resident in enemy territory, payment will be subject to the provisions of the "Trading with the Enemy Act."

11. Q. Can the beneficiary be changed?

A. Yes; within the permitted class, at any time in writing and subject to the regulations of the Bureau of War-Risk Insurance. (See "Final," p. 9.)

BENEFITS.

12. Q. What benefits does this insurance give to the insured?

A. $5.75 per month for each $1,000 of insurance payable in the event of total and permanent disability as long as the insured lives and is so disabled.

18. Q. What benefits does it give to my beneficiary?

A. In case of your death each $1,000 of insurance will pay to the beneficiary $5.75 per month for 240 months, less any payments made to the insured for total and permanent disability.