EXCLUSIVE: Social Security Penalty Could Be Eliminated Under Rick Scott’s New Bill

A Senate Republican aims to “keep” the “aging community out of poverty” by introducing legislation on Wednesday that would allow Social Security recipients to be able to seek additional income and employment.

The Senior Citizens Freedom to Work Act, authored by Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., would repeal “outdated” provisions, such as the Retirement Earnings Test, which Scott believes serve as “punishments to Americans in their 60s who want to keep working.”

“Social Security was meant to keep our aging community out of poverty, not force some of our most experienced and qualified members out of the workforce,” Scott told The Daily Signal.

Under current law, Americans who opt to receive Social Security benefits before their full retirement age, choose to continue to work, and earn over $23,400 are restricted by the provision from receiving their full Social Security benefits.

“We need to get our budget under control and get government out of the way so that Americans who rely on these programs, and all the Americans who will rely on them, can plan for the retirement they want,” Scott added.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., has pledged to co-sponsor Scott’s bill, The Daily Sigal has learned.

The bill’s House sponsor, Rep. Greg Murphy, R-N.C., echoed Scott’s remarks, telling The Daily Signal that “while certain guardrails are in place” to ensure the viability of Social Security and incentivize participation in the workforce, “bureaucratic hurdles” like the Retirement Earnings Test do “more harm than good.”

The bill, which will now be referred to the Senate and House Committees on Aging, could also reestablish the “arbitrary parameters” one must meet to receive Social Security benefits, Murphy said.

“American seniors’ ability to earn income and enjoy the dignity of work should not be penalized by arbitrary parameters to receive Social Security benefits,” Murphy concluded. “Current law unnecessarily complicates seniors’ right to access the benefits they paid into for the entirety of their careers and must be done away with.”