[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 19 (Wednesday, February 3, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E123]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             SOCIAL SECURITY EARNINGS LIMIT ELIMINATION ACT

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                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 3, 1999

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce H.R. 519, the 
Social Security Earnings Limit Elimination Act of 1999. I invite my 
colleagues to join me in supporting this worthwhile piece of 
legislation.
  The objective of this bill, H.R. 519, is simple and straightforward: 
It would fully remove in the future the limitations on the amount of 
outside income which working seniors who are receiving Social Security 
may earn while receiving benefits.
  For too many years, those senior citizens, aged 65 to 69, who chose 
to continue to work have had their Social Security benefits deducted 
dollar for dollar once their earnings went over $12,500 annually.
  The 104th Congress made a much-needed change, raising the outside 
earnings limit to $30,000 by the year 2002.
  I believe that while this is a good step forward, more needs to be 
done on this issue. The earnings limit only serves to discourage many 
seniors from working and diminishes their potential impact on society. 
It is a condescending regulation that conveys the message that seniors 
have nothing to contribute and discourages them from serving in the 
work force.
  I was pleased to hear the President, in his State of the Union 
Address, calling for the elimination of the earnings limit.
  Accordingly, I invite my colleagues to join in supporting this timely 
and important legislation.

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