U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Tim Scott introduced the Senior Citizens’ Freedom to Work Act to repeal the Social Security Retirement Earnings Test (RET) to allow Social Security recipients that are below the full retirement age to earn private income without losing benefits.
“Senior citizens should not have to work fewer hours just because they fear missing out on the retirement benefits they have earned,” Senator Rubio said. “This common-sense bill would clear up confusion and allow senior citizens to work before reaching full retirement.”
The RET cuts seniors’ Social Security benefits in half if they are below full retirement age, are employed, and earn more than $18,960. Although lost benefits are replaced at full retirement age, many seniors are unaware that their benefits will be replaced and, consequently, choose not to work or choose to work fewer hours to stay below the threshold.
House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Chairman John B. Larson has introduced landmark Democratic legislation, Social Security 2100: A Sacred Trust, which will expand benefits and strengthen Social Security. The legislation has nearly 200 cosponsors and has been endorsed by more than 100 advocacy groups. Rep. Val Demings, who is running for Senate against Marco Rubio, is one of the supporters of the Democratic plan. Expect Social Security to be an issue in Florida ahead of the election.
“Having spent 25 years in the insurance and financial services industry, one of the things I realize is that we don’t talk often enough about the importance of retirement security,” Senator Scott said.
