VIII. OLDER AMERICANS ACT OF 1965 (PUBLIC LAW 89-73)

The principal sponsors of this legislation_were_Senator Pat McNamara, of Michigan, and Representative John Fogarty, of Rhode Island.

Favorable reports on it were issued by

1. House Education and Labor Committee (Rept. No. 145, Mar. 9, 1965); and

2. Senate Labor and Public Welfare Committee (Rept. No. 247, May 26, 1965).

The House passed the measure (H.R. 3708, as amended) on March 31, 1965. The Senate unanimously passed the bill (with amendments) on May 27, 1965. The House agreed unanimously to the Senate amendments on July 6, 1965. It was signed into law by the President on July 14, 1965.

Following is a summary of the provisions of the new public law: Title I.-In keeping with the traditional American concept of the inherent dignity of the individual in our democratic society, the act sets forth a 10-point declaration of objectives for older Americans. These objectives are

1. An adequate income.

2. The best possible physical and mental health.

3. Suitable housing.

4. Full restorative services.

5. Opportunity for employment without age discrimination. 6. Retirement in health, honor, and dignity.

7. Pursuit of meaningful activity.

8. Efficient community services when needed.

9. Immediate benefit from proven research knowledge.

10. Freedom, independence, and the free exercise of individual initiative.

Title II-1. Establishes an operating agency known as the "Administration on Aging" in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.

2. Creates a new position of Commissioner on Aging to be head of the Administration on Aging, who is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.1

3. Functions of the Administration: (a) Serve as a clearinghouse of information on problems of the aged and aging; (b) assist the Secretary in all matters pertaining to the aging; (c) administer grants provided by the act; (d) develop, conduct, and arrange for research and demonstration programs in the field of aging; (e) provide technical assistance and consultation to State and local governments; (f) prepare and publish educational materials dealing with welfare of older persons; (g) gather statistics in the field of aging; (h) stimulate more effective use of existing resources and available services.

I William D. Bechill, of California, was appointed by the President to the position on Oct. 1, 1965, was confirmed by the Senate on Oct. 22, and was sworn in on Nov. 2.

Title III.-Authorizes grants to the States by the Secretary, amounting to $5 million for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1966, $8 million for the fiscal year 1967, and such sums as may be appropriated by the Congress for each of the 3 succeeding fiscal years, for projects for (a) community planning and coordination of programs for older citizens; (b) demonstration programs or activities relating to aging; (c) training of specialized personnel needed to carry out such programs and activities; and (d) other programs to carry out the purposes of the act, including centers for older persons, exclusive of construction costs. Funds are to be allocated to States based on a standard percent and on a formula considering each State's population aged 65 and over. State plans for project grants must be approved by the Secretary.

Title IV-Authorizes grants by the Secretary to public or nonprofit private agencies, organizations, institutions, or individuals, for study, development, demonstration, and evaluation projects relating to the needs of older persons.

Title V.-Authorizes grants to organizations and individuals for the specialized training of personnel.

For purposes of carrying out the functions in titles IV and V above, the act authorizes $1.5 million for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1966, $3 million for the fiscal year 1967, and such sums as may be appropriated by the Congress for each of the 3 succeeding fiscal years.

Title VI.-Establishes an Advisory Committee on Older Americans consisting of the Commissioner as Chairman, with 15 citizen members who are experienced in or have demonstrated particular interest in special problems of the aging.

IX. MILITARY RETIREMENT

The Military Pay Increase Act (Public Law 89-132, approved Aug. 21, 1965) amended the automatic cost-of-living increase system for retired military personnel by providing an immediate increase to reflect the rise in the Consumer Price Index since 1962 (which increase amounted to 4.4 percent) and by providing that future cost-of-living increases will be given whenever the Consumer Price Index advances by 3 percent or more for 3 consecutive months after a previous increase.

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X. PRIVATE PENSIONS

A. REPORT OF PRESIDENT'S COMMITTEE

On January 31, 1965, the President's Committee on Corporate Pension Funds and Other Private Retirement and Welfare Programs issued a report entitled "Public Policy and Private Pension Programs." The report culminated a study extending over almost 3 years.

B. EXTENDING PRIVATE PENSION COVERAGE

Hearings were held in Washington, D.C., on March 4, 5, and 10, 1965, by the Subcommittee on Employment and Retirement Incomes, the Senate Special Committee on Aging. As a result, a report including recommendations for extending private pension coverage was subsequently approved by the subcommittee.

XI. RAILROAD RETIREMENT

A. CASH BENEFIT INCREASES

Enactment of a 7-percent increase in social security cash benefits as a provision of the Social Security Amendments of 1965 resulted in an automatic increase in some railroad retirement cash benefits. This resulted from the guarantee provision of the Railroad Retirement Act, which guarantees each beneficiary under that act a cash benefit of at least 110 percent of the social security benefit he would have received if credit for his railroad employment had been under social security rather than under railroad retirement.

B. ELIMINATION OF DUAL BENEFIT RESTRICTION

Section 1 of Public Law 89-212 (Sept. 29, 1965) eliminated the provision which had previously reduced the railroad retirement annuities of spouses of retired railroad employees by the amount of certain social security benefits received by them.

C. FUTURE ANNUITIES

Public Law 89-212 also increased the wage base and decreased the tax rate, which will result in more liberal benefits for rail employees who pay in on the increased tax base and retire later.

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