Rhode Island; Governor Signs Bills Banning Social Security Offset

Rhode Island Governor Carcieri has signed into law bills that forbid the state Department of Labor and Training from taking into account Social Security benefits when calculating the amount of unemployment compensation. According to a report in the Providence Journal, Carcieri said “Individuals receiving Social Security have earned it from years of work. They are entitled to it and should not be penalized for it. They deserve to receive full unemployment benefits while they look for another job.” In addtion, he said, “This legislation will encourage Rhode Island seniors to remain in the work force [for] as long as they can continue making a positive contribution to the economy.”

Source: Providence Journal"Older workers no longer punished" (June 26, 2007)