## Issue—Current Social Security law contains a policy that has the unintended consequence of discouraging blind Americans from maximizing their earnings potential.

### Eliminate the earnings cliff by instituting a two-for-one phase-out of earnings over the SGA limit.

For every two dollars a blind worker earns above the SGA threshold, their benefits amount will be reduced by one dollar.

### Create a true work incentive for SSDI recipients.

With a phase-out model, blind workers will always be better off striving to earn as much as possible, which will facilitate the transition of those workers from the SSDI system as benefits are gradually reduced. With this model, blind Americans will never lose by working. As an added benefit, fewer workers earning SSDI benefits and instead paying into the Social Security Trust Fund means a more balanced Trust Fund in time.

### Simplify the SSDI system by eliminating the trial work period and grace period, making the rules more compatible with the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program.

Under the proposed system, the SSDI program will become less complicated. With both programs using similar rules, there will be less confusion, and the incentive for blind people to return to work will be consistent and clear.