[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 127 (Tuesday, September 16, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1810]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    INTRODUCING THE SOCIAL SECURITY EARNINGS TEST REPEAL ACT OF 2003

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 16, 2003

  Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce 
legislation that will allow our nation's seniors to keep more of their 
hard-earned money.
  Many seniors prefer to remain active in their retirement, even though 
they may have chosen to leave their career jobs. Some seniors find 
second careers later in life which enrich their lives and supplement 
their income.
  Unfortunately, the Social Security Earnings Test prohibited these 
individuals from receiving full Social Security benefits if their 
incomes exceeded a certain amount. The earnings test was especially 
unfair for seniors who relied on that additional income to supplement 
their Social Security checks, because they would, in effect, lose half 
of their Social Security benefit.
  Recognizing the unfairness of this situation, the Congress passed, 
and on April 7, 2000, President Clinton signed H.R. 5, the Senior 
Citizens' Freedom to Work Act. This law eliminated the Social Security 
earnings test for recipients between the ``full retirement age'' 
(currently age 65 and eight months) and age 70.
  While this law was a great victory for seniors who chose to work once 
they reached retirement age, it does not eliminate the earnings test 
for seniors who choose to retire early at age 62. These individuals, 
who might also rely on employment income to supplement their Social 
Security checks, are simply out of luck.
  This situation unfairly penalizes many seniors who need to continue 
to work after they reach retirement age. The Bureau of Labor Services 
compiled an experimental Consumer Price Index for the elderly, which 
found that the prices of goods bought by the general public rose by 
66.5 percent, while it rose by 72.6 percent for seniors. This 
difference of over six percent is significant for someone living on a 
fixed income, as most seniors do. By penalizing individuals who work in 
addition to receiving Social Security benefits, we are hurting those 
most in need of assistance. Seniors should not be forced to choose 
between their Social Security benefits and earned income.
  Additionally, forcing seniors to leave the workforce early signifies 
a valuable loss to our country in terms of skilled and experienced 
workers. More than ever America is in need of skilled workers. We 
should be encouraging these individuals to continue contributing to our 
economy through their tax dollars, and the additional goods they can 
consume thanks to their added income.
  That is why I am introducing the Social Security Earnings Test Repeal 
Act of 2003. This legislation would amend title II of the Social 
Security Act by removing the limitation on the amount of outside income 
which an individual may earn while receiving benefits under such title.
  Social Security is a right earned by workers through their hard work. 
The Social Security Earnings Test Repeal Act of 2003 will allow 
retirees to rejoin the workforce without the fear of a loss of 
benefits. We have no right to forbid or difficult someone's desire to 
work. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. Thank you, Mr. 
Speaker.

                          ____________________