The Nation : Liberalized Benefits Asked

Social Security Commissioner Dorcas R. Hardy will seek White House approval of a proposal to eliminate the controversial law that reduces Social Security benefits for several million elderly people who keep working, an aide said. Hardy has secured the support of Health and Human Services Secretary Otis R. Bowen for eliminating the so-called earnings test for those aged 65 to 69, deputy commissioner Enid Borden said. The commissioner is preparing a legislative proposal that will be sent to the White House Domestic Policy Council as the first step toward securing President Reagan’s backing. Borden said Hardy is also seeking ways to reduce administrative costs to pay for the liberalization of benefits.