Chairman Rick Scott announced on Mar. 25 the introduction of the Senior Citizens’ Freedom to Work Act during a Senate Special Committee on Aging hearing focused on seniors and employment. The proposed legislation aims to repeal the Retirement Earnings Test under the Social Security Act, allowing older Americans to earn income without reductions in their Social Security benefits.
The bill is intended to encourage more seniors to remain active in the workforce and offer them greater financial flexibility as they age. Senator Tommy Tuberville has joined as a cosponsor, with Congressman Greg Murphy leading companion efforts in the House of Representatives.
During his remarks, Scott said, “This bill will get rid of the unfair Retirement Earnings Test so that seniors who want to stay in the workforce can do so without being punished or robbed of their hard-earned benefits.” He added that existing laws penalize workers between ages 62 and 66 by reducing their benefits if they exceed certain income thresholds. According to Scott, "Aging Americans deserve better. That’s why I’ve introduced the Senior Citizens’ Freedom to Work Act of 2026."
The committee also discussed administrative challenges faced by retirees regarding information about when and how claiming Social Security affects benefit amounts. To address this, Scott mentioned his support for the Claiming Age Clarity Act, which seeks clearer communication for beneficiaries about retirement timing and its impact on payments.
Expert witnesses at the hearing included Rachel Greszler from Advancing American Freedom; Johnny C. Taylor Jr., President and CEO of SHRM; and Jason J. Fichtner from the National Academy of Social Insurance. They discussed both contributions made by older workers and barriers they encounter when seeking employment later in life.
The Senate Aging Committee addresses issues affecting older Americans such as Social Security, Medicare, long-term care, retirement security, fraud prevention tools like a hotline service, according to its official website. The committee maintains offices for majority members in Dirksen Senate Office Building and minority members in Hart Senate Office Building according to its official website. Oversight extends nationwide across all aging-related federal programs according to its official website, including regular hearings on elder abuse prevention policies according to its official website.
Scott serves as chair while Kirsten Gillibrand is ranking member according to its official website.
Looking ahead, Scott said he hopes these legislative efforts will remove barriers for older Americans who wish "to make their later years their best years."
