[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 23 (Monday, March 6, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E228]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SUPPORT OF H.R. 5, THE SENIOR CITIZENS' FREEDOM TO WORK ACT OF 1999

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MAX SANDLIN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 6, 2000

  Mr. SANDLIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5, the 
Senior Citizens' Freedom to Work Act of 1999. This legislation will 
finally repeal the outdated and unreasonable Social Security earnings 
limit that has penalized seniors for working beyond the age of 65 by 
reducing their monthly Social Security benefit. H.R. 5 is good for 
America's seniors and good for the economy.
  The Senior Citizens' Freedom to Work Act is about basic fairness. 
There are numerous reasons seniors may choose to continue working past 
the age of 65. Many seniors would like to retire but have to continue 
working simply to make ends meet. It is outrageous that the government 
penalizes these individuals for trying to support their most basic 
needs. Other seniors may continue to work simply for the pleasure and 
pride they take in contributing a lifetime's worth of skills and 
knowledge to their chosen profession. The government should not deprive 
industry of this dedicated, skilled, and resourceful population of 
workers. Regardless of the reason, America's seniors deserve the 
benefits they earn whether or not they choose to continue working 
beyond the national retirement age.
  I became a cosponsor of H.R. 5 last year because I feel so strongly 
about the merits of this legislation. According to the Social Security 
Administration, over 800,000 seniors lose part or all of their Social 
Security benefits because of the earnings limit. With the retirement of 
the massive baby boom generation fast-approaching, the number of 
seniors affected by this penalty will increase significantly over the 
next decade. Today, we have the opportunity to prevent that injustice.
  Mr. Speaker, my district has the good fortune of holding a large 
population of hardworking senior citizens who stand to benefit from the 
repeal of the Social Security earnings limit. The communities and 
businesses in the First Congressional District of Texas stand to 
benefit as well. Retaining skilled retirees is important in meeting 
today's workforce needs, and Congress needs to eliminate the very real 
financial disincentive seniors face if they want to continue working 
beyond retirement age. This is a win-win situation and deserves the 
full support of this Congress. I urge my colleagues to vote for H.R. 5 
to end the earnings penalty once and for all.




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