NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release March 22, 2000  

NCPA's Goodman: Decade Worth Of NCPA Research Pays Off With End Of Social Security Earnings Test

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.


The National Center for Policy Analysis is a public policy research institute founded in 1983 and internationally known for its studies on public policy issues. The NCPA is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, with an office in Washington, D.C.

For more information:
Julie Hillrichs, Dallas, TX 972-386-6272
Sean Tuffnell, Dallas, TX 972-386-6272
Joan Kirby, Washington, DC 202-220-3082
Internet: http://www.ncpa.org


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