Under current law seniors who claim Social Security benefits before they reach 69 are subject to a reduction in benefits if they continue to work. The Senior Citizens Freedom to Work Act would repeal the earnings limit completely and immediately. The bill now goes before the United States Senate. With our nation entering the 107th month of economic expansion, nearly 21 million jobs have been added to our economy, which has put unemployment at a 30-year low, Gordon said. Many companies are scrambling to find qualified workers in today s dynamic work force.
Many older workers have the qualifications and skills businesses are desperately looking for.
In the 1930s when Social Security was started during the Great Depression, it was hoped that older workers would withdraw from the work force and make room for younger workers. Today s conditions are quite different and are continuing to change. The nation s projected surpluses give us a perfect opportunity to shore up Social Security and Medicare and pay down the debt. With the House s passage of this bill, Congress took the first step toward strengthening retirement security for all senior citizens. But we must do more to ensure Social Security benefits will be there for future generations of Middle Tennesseans, the congressman added.