[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 22 (Thursday, March 2, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E222]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              SENIOR CITIZENS' FREEDOM TO WORK ACT OF 1999

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. PHILIP M. CRANE

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 1, 2000

  Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pledge my avowed support for H.R. 
5--to eliminate the Social Security Earnings Test for seniors who are 
65 to 70 years old and continue to work. It is time that we strike down 
this ridiculous and costly ``earnings test.'' Indeed, there are many 
Americans who are 65 to 70 years of age who continue to work--and who 
are entitled to that all-American right to maintain a solid and secure 
living. Why should the federal government ``penalize'' those well-
intentioned individuals by applying an ``earnings test'' and reducing 
or delaying their Social Security benefits?
  Today, with unemployment at an all-time low, it no longer makes sense 
to subject seniors to an ``earnings test.'' When used, the ``earnings 
test'' has not only reduced Social Security benefits of retirees who 
continue working but affected the wives and children of beneficiaries 
as well. Because of the Great Depression, Congress originally created 
the ``earnings test'' in 1935 to encourage older Americans to leave the 
labor force. But things have changed. Older Americans are now making 
greater and more significant contributions to the workforce than ever 
before. My district alone has some 42,000 seniors--many whom still make 
valid contributions to today's workforce.
  Mr. Speaker, repealing the ``earnings test'' for seniors aged 65 to 
70 is the first step towards reforming the Social Security system. By 
eliminating this age-discriminatory ``earnings test'' we will increase 
benefit outlays to those seniors to just over $22-and-a-half billion 
dollars over the next 10 years. In fact, administration of the 
``earnings test'' tacks an added cost of as much as $100 to $150 
million on to the taxpayers' bill. Repeal of the test could eliminate 
that cost. Mr. Speaker, we must effectively help seniors, reduce costs, 
and reform the system--that is why I give my full support to H.R. 5. 
and urge my colleagues to do so.

                          ____________________