VII. OLD-AGE, SURVIVORS, AND DISABILITY INSURANCE A. PROPOSED SOCIAL SECURITY AMENDMENTS OF 1964 H.R. 11865, the proposed "Social Security Amendments of 1964," passed the House on July 29, 1964, and passed VIII. RAILROAD RETIREMENT A. FINANCING Public Law 88-133 (October 5, 1963) corrected a substantial actuarial deficiency in the railroad retirement system, resulting from a shrinking payroll tax base and recently-enacted benefit increases. B. SPOUSES' DUAL BENEFITS H.R. 12362 proposed the elimination of provisions which reduce the railroad retirement annuities of spouses of retired railroad employees by the amount of certain social security benefits. It passed the House on September 3, 1964. 14 IX. SERVICES A. SUBCOMMITTEE ON FEDERAL, STATE, AND COMMUNITY SERVICES Hearings were held by the Subcommittee on Federal, State, and Community Services, Senate Special Committee on Aging, as follows: Washington, D.C., January 16, 1964. Boston, Mass., January 20, 1964 Providence, R.I., January 21, 1964. Saginaw, Mich., March 2, 1964. As a result, a report including recommendations for improved services for the elderly, with minority and individual views, was subsequently approved by both the subcommittee and the Special Committee on Aging (S. Rept. 1542). B. ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY ACT Provisions in Public Law 88-452, Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 (approved August 20, 1964), of particular benefit to the elderly: 1. Community action programs: Part A of title II authorizes a program of Federal funds for locally designed and operated programs to combat poverty. Programs of particular benefit to the elderly which might be carried out are programs in health, housing, home management, and welfare services to promote independent living or relieve children of the burden of supporting their aging parents. 2. Adult basic education: Part B of title II established a program designed to stimulate and to aid the development of adult basic education programs for all over the age of 18. This is of particular importance to senior citizens because the basic education of many of them was neglected in their younger years. 3. Work experience programs: Title V authorizes funds for experimental, pilot, or demonstration projects providing work and training for low-income families, including present and potential old-age assistance recipients. 4. Volunteers in Service to America: Title VI authorizes establishment of a corps of volunteers (VISTA) to work in programs combating poverty, in return for stipends not to exceed $50 per month and living, travel, and leave allowances, and such housing, transportation, supplies, equipment, subsistence, clothing, and health care as may be deemed necessary or appropriate to their need. To the extent that older volunteers are used, this will, at least partially, meet the need for a means of utilizing senior citizens who want to devote their time and energies to worthwhile activities to improve their communities and help others. 15 C. FOOD STAMPS Public Law 88-525 (August 31, 1964) authorizes a program of providing food stamps to those, including senior citizens, whose economic status limits the attainment of a nutritionally adequate diet. This entitles such individuals to share in the Nation's production of foods, thus helping to distribute surplus foods. D. UTILIZING RETIRED EXECUTIVES AS CONSULTANTS 1. During 1964, the Small Business Administration inaugurated a program of providing retired businessmen as free consultants to small businesses. While these consultants serve without compensation, the program benefits them by making it possible for them to remain active and useful in satisfying activity in which their experience and abilities can continue to be utilized for the economic well-being of the Nation. More than 1,100 retired executives signed up as volunteer consultants. 2. During June 1964, the International Executive Service Corps was launched as a private, nonprofit organization to provide skilled executives, including retired executives, to assist the growth of industrial enterprises in the developing countries. The Agency for International Development was active in promoting its organization and has agreed to finance a major part of the program until it is firmly established. E. "ON GROWING OLDER" During October 1964, the President's Council on Aging was publishing a booklet, "On Growing Older," designed as a handbook of information helpful to senior citizens and those who work in the field of aging. It is expected to be available in late October or early November 1964. F. H.R. 10088 H.R. 10088 was reported by the House Committee on Education and Labor on June 11, 1964. It would have: 1. Established an Administration for Aging in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, under the direction of a Commissioner on Aging, who would be appointed by the President subject to Senate confirmation. 2. Authorized Federal-State grant-in-aid aging programs for (a) community planning and coordination, (b) demonstration, research, and development projects, and (c) specialized training of individuals to carry out such projects. 3. Established a 16-member Advisory Committee on Older Americans, with the Commissioner on Aging serving as Chairman. |