Social Security Legislative Bulletin

 106-17
March 1, 2000

On March 1, 2000, the House passed by a vote of 422 to 0 (with 13 members not voting) H.R. 5, the "Senior Citizens' Freedom to Work Act of 2000."

As passed, the bill would eliminate the Social Security retirement earnings test in and after the month in which a person attains normal retirement age.

Elimination of the retirement test would be effective with respect to taxable years ending after 12/31/99.

The current law regarding the retirement earnings test would apply to those individuals attaining age 65 in calendar year 2000 for the months before they attained age 65.

The bill was introduced on March 1, 1999, and reported by the Subcommittee on Social Security on February 16, 2000. On February 29, 2000, the bill was further amended by the full committee on Ways and Means and approved by the committee by a voice vote. The House passed the bill without further amendment. Senate action is pending.