William F. Smith: “I rise to support H.R. 5, the ``Senior Citizens' Freedom to Work Act.'' For years my constituents have raised concerns…”

“I rise to support H.R. 5, the ``Senior Citizens' Freedom to Work Act.'' For years my constituents have raised concerns about unfair Social Security earnings limit. Finally, the House is going to eliminate this unfair penalty. Whenever a working retiree earns more than $17,000 per year, they lose $1 of Social Security benefits for every $3 they earn above the limit. We penalize senior citizens who want to continue to participate in the work force. There are 800,000 senior citizens who lose part or all of the Social Security benefits they've worked hard for because they earn ``too much'' money in retirement. The Social Security earnings limit was created during the Great Depression and it punishes senior citizens for their work ethic and desire to be self-reliant in their ``golden years.'' Today unemployment is at an all-time low. The experience and skills developed by older workers during a lifetime in the workplace are being recognized and are in demand. Social Security recipients are entitled to their benefits because they earned them during a lifetime of hard work. The government should not take those benefits away because individuals want to work. That's why I strongly support the passage of H.R. 5 today.”