JEANNE MESERVE, CNN ANCHOR: A measure aimed at older workers, putting more money in the pockets of Social Security recipients, is a step closer to becoming law this election year. The Senate today voted unanimously in favor of the Senior Citizens Freedom to Work Act. CNN's Chris Black is on Capitol Hill with details -- Chris.</s>CHRIS BLACK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Jeanne, earlier today, the Senate repealed the earnings limit on Social Security for recipients between the ages of 65 and 69. The vote was unanimous. And chairman of the Senate Finance Committee said that this was an issue whose time had come.</s>SEN. WILLIAM ROTH (R-DE), FINANCE CHAIRMAN: With Americans living longer and the tightest labor market in 30 years, this rule is not only outdated, but it harms both our senior citizens and the economy.</s>BLACK: The Senior Citizens Freedom to Work Act will instantly repeal the $17,000 ceiling in effect this year, once President Clinton signs it into law. The law also will raise the ceiling for early retirees, those retirees between the ages of 62 and 64 to $30,000 a year by the year 2002. And while the repeal only applies to beneficiaries between the ages of 65 and 69, senators say that will apply to 800,000 Americans who now pay a penalty for working, and they say it will also help millions of others.</s>SEN. DON NICKLES (R), OKLAHOMA: We are going to open up economic opportunity for millions of Americans who are at age 65, and maybe they don't want to retire. They might be like Strom Thurmond and they may have another 50 years of very energetic hard work ahead of them, and they don't want to say: I want to retire.</s>BLACK: Strom Thurmond is the oldest senator right now. He is 97 years old, and long past retirement age. But his Republican colleagues are particularly cheering this legislation. They say it will help inoculate them against Democratic charges that they are not doing enough to protect Social Security. Chris Black, CNN, reporting live from Capitol Hill. Search CNN.com CNNSI.com CNNmoney.com The Web
Senate Unanimously Approves Senior Citizens Freedom to Work Act