ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, December 1, 1995 TAG: 9512010082
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-2 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: WASHINGTON
SOURCE: The Washington Post
The House Ways and Means Committee voted a benefit boost Thursday for a million elderly Social Security beneficiaries who are still working, allowing them to earn up to $30,000 a year without reduction of benefits.
``We all know that the current earnings limit is too low and is nothing more than a tax on hard-working seniors,'' said Committee Chairman Bill Archer, R-Texas, praising Social Security subcommittee Chairman Jim Bunning, R-Ky., for pushing the bill.
The American Association of Retired Persons, Seniors Coalition and 60-Plus Association, all groups representing the elderly, supported the bill. Backers of the higher earnings limit argue many seniors who would like to work are discouraged by fear their benefits will be reduced.
Before the final 31-to-0 vote, some Democratic members complained about the way the bill was being financed, which they said could penalize some low-earning seniors. But in the end, every Democrat present voted for the measure along with the Republicans.
Measures to preserve or increase Social Security benefits usually have proved attractive to Congress before an election year.
Under present law, the 1996 earnings limit would be $11,520, which would rise gradually to $14,400 by 2002. These limits apply to people age 65 through 69. For those 70 and over, there is no limit.
Under the bill, the 1996 limit would be $14,000, which would go up in steps to $30,000 in 2002.
LENGTH: Short : 38 linesby CNB