Critical Miss: Issue 4 (Getting By In A Cyberpunk World)

Getting By In A Cyberpunk World

Income

Here we will examine what may happen to your income, before it even gets to your hands. This of course may not apply to a Shadow-runner type character who works outside the system. Taken off your pay check are the following:

Income tax 10-30%.

Employment insurance 2-5%.

Medical insurance 2-5%.

Legal insurance 2-5%.

Employer security 2-5%.

Union dues 2-5%.

So you will lose between 30 to 50 % of your pay.

INCOME TAX

This amount is taken off and goes directly to the Government. You never get it back. Some places will have both provincial and federal income tax, usually 5% each.

EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE

To qualify you must work 1000 hours at the same job. You will then receive 50% of what you paid into this fund over the next 3 months. Income tax, Medical, and Legal deductions are still taken off your check.

MEDICAL INSURANCE

Requires you have a medical check up once / year. The amount you pay is based on your health. People without insurance will not be treated in a hospital. Those with it will receive a refund of 50% off the bill. Cosmetic operations and some drugs are not covered. Companies may offer improved medical plans, which will give you a higher priority on the hospital waiting list when you come in.

LEGAL INSURANCE

This is required to pay for your case-worker. Everyone has a legal rep assigned by the government, or the corporation you work for. They handle all the many legal documents you must fill out and help you understand the constant changes to the system. If you are wealthy you can hire your own, they will cost more but are usually better skill.

EMPLOYER SECURITY

This fund is to protect the business from any theft or damage you may do. If you retire without violating any rules and are found to have been a good worker you may receive up to 50% of what you paid into this fund.

UNION DUES

Workers need not join a union, but must let it bargain on their behalf. In return for this bargaining service, the worker must pay half dues. Those who do join pay full dues and get all the benefits, including strike pay should one occur.

Now onto the Cost of Doing Anything...