WASHINGTON (March 22, 2000) – The following statement was released by National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPASM) President John C. Goodman, commenting on the U.S. Senate's vote to repeal the earnings test for Social Security benefits:
"The earnings test is a depression-era relic that punishes people for working. It has no place is today's world.
"It's gratifying to see a decade's worth of NCPA research pay off."
The Senate's bipartisan Earnings Test Elimination Act, introduced by Senator John Ashcroft of Missouri had 35 cosponsors, and was virtually identical to the earning test bill Congressman Sam Johnson of Texas introduced in the House.
The Social Security earnings test limits the amount of income seniors may earn before losing their Social Security benefits. Current law reduces benefits by $1 for every $3 in earnings above $11,280 annually for retirees between 65 and 70 years of age.
The NCPA has been a long time advocate of repealing the earnings test. In the 1980s, the NCPA released a groundbreaking study on the issue. The study was released at a news conference featuring several young House members, including Reps. Dick Armey and Dennis Hastert.