 Over the years, recipients of the Iron Cross received ever increasing pensions, in 1842, those in need or not having any other pension or income would receive 100 francs, this amount was increased to 250 francs in 1855.A law of 27 May 1857 gave civil servants who were recipients of the Iron Cross ten additional years of seniority.A budgetary law enacted in 1858 gave pensions to widows and orphans of deceased recipients of the Iron Cross.