Relief for Older Workers
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2007-07-11 11:24:04.572234-04:00
The 2007 Legislative Session has come to a close, resulting in several key AARP legislative victories, including a fix to an outdated law that adversely affected older workers.
AARP staff and volunteers actively worked to fix the so-called "Social Security Unemployment Offset", a law that was detrimental to older workers who get laid off.
AARP spearheaded the bipartisan effort to eliminate a Minnesota law that precluded older workers who are collecting Social Security from receiving their full unemployment insurance benefits when they experience a layoff. Current law subtracts or offsets 50 cents of unemployment benefits for every $1.00 of Social Security received.
"The current law failed to recognize the number of Minnesotans who are still working into traditional "retirement" years. For many workers, Social Security is not enough to live on, and they continue to work to pay the bills," said State President Hubert H. "Skip" Humphrey, III. "It is simply wrong to discriminate against these workers, especially at a time when they want and need to find other employment."
Because of this successful legislative effort, Minnesota law will now eliminate this offset for older workers that were receiving Social Security before their layoff or termination. The offset will still apply to any workers that apply for Social Security benefits during their unemployment benefit period.
"This is a victory for older workers," said Humphrey. "We are very pleased that the Legislature acted to better recognize those older workers who seek employment after a layoff."
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