The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1959-06-05
SOCIAL SECURITY
By EARL w. TRINKLE
Field Representative

Social security benefits having
now become a part of the future
planning for nine out of ten Amer
lean families, many inquiries are
being made at local social security
offices regarding various provi-
sions of the social security law.
One question commonly asked
is, "Why is there, a retirement
test, or earnings limitation, in the
program Why must l limit my
earnings to $1,000 per year while
receiving social security checks ?"
When the Social Security Act
was originally enacted by our
Government, part of the basic
philosophy behind it was to create
a program which would provide
enough income to replace a portion
of the earnings which had been cut
off due to retirement of the family
breadwinner or his death. If the
worker is still living and employed
OF self-employed full time and
able to earn the family's living,
there is according to this basic
philosophy no need for social Sc
curity benefits. The amount of So
cial security contributions, OF pay
roll taxes, needed to finance the
program over a long period of
years was computed and included
in the original Act on the basis of
a benefit payable only to those
actually retired and to their de-
pendents such as wife and chill
dren. Should the idea of a "retire-
ment" program be dropped and
benefits be paid everyone at re-
tirement age, whether or not re-
tired, the burden of payroll and
self-employed contributions would
be substantially greater than I'M
der the present plan.
Our Government did not deem
it advisable to impose a heavier
social security contribution rate
upon the entire working popula-
ton to permit benefit payments
to persons who We're still able to
work full time and provide the US
ual amount of income for them
selves and their families.
History, as it has developed over
the past 81 years, has shown the
dynamic nature of the social Sc
curity program. This is demon
strated by the periodic changes in
various features of the program
seen necessary on the part of the
Congress to more nearly fit the
needs and desires of the American
people. The first retirement test,
beginning with 1910, limited ben
eficiary to $14.99 earnings per
month while receiving benefits. In
1851 this became $4,000 month
or 100000 a year, in 1858 $500
a month or 100000 a year and in
1866 it became $4,000 per year
as presently effective. AS it
stands at present, the retirement
test or earnings limitation is much
more realistic than before.
For the older people this $1,000
limitation permits them to "keep
their hand in" the work by contin-
uing to do part time or seasonal
work, as their abilities and needs
dictate, and to withdraw into in
activity on more or less gradual
basis.
For survivors of deceased wage
earners, the present earnings linn
itation is liberal enough to permit
an older child to work in vaca-
tions or after school and the widow
or mother with young children to
work part time and still maintain
a home and look after her children
Recognizing that a small per-
centage of older people, gifted
with special tenacious qualities OF
unique opportunity, will continue
employment Cor self-employment)
long past the usual retirement age
our Government made provision tc
pay full retirement benefits to age
~ even though an individual is
still employed at full time earn.
ings. This permits these older per.
sons to reap some return from