Nation IN BRIEF : NATIONWIDE : Tsongas Backs Tests for Social Security

Former Sen. Paul E. Tsongas of Massachusetts, the only declared candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, said he would consider a means test for Social Security recipients. On NBC-TV’s “Meet the Press,” Tsongas was asked how he would achieve his goal of keeping spending on entitlement programs to 1% below the inflation rate and if he would favor a means test for Social Security. “I think you have to look at all of that. I would look at a means test,” he said. He did not say what sort of test might be used.