Summary#
This bill changes how Social Security survivor benefits are calculated for widows and widowers in two-income households. It edits the law that sets widow's and widower's insurance benefits (sections 202(e) and 202(f) of the Social Security Act). Under the bill, a survivor's monthly benefit would be the greater of:
- the deceased person's primary insurance amount (PIA); or
- in many cases, 75 percent of the sum of the survivor's own old-age or disability benefit plus the deceased person's PIA, subject to a cap.
The bill adds a new cap rule. That cap is the PIA of a hypothetical worker who had earnings each year equal to one and one‑third times the national average wage index and who took reduced retirement at early retirement age in the month the deceased became entitled to benefits or died. The changes apply to fully insured widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses, except where other specified Social Security exceptions apply. The bill also says that for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) eligibility and payment rules, any Title II benefit amount under the new rules must be treated as not larger than the benefit that would have been counted under current law as of the day before enactment. The amendments would apply to survivor benefits payable for months after December 2026.
What it means for you#
- If you are a widow, widower, or surviving divorced spouse, your monthly survivor benefit could change under the new formula.
- The new rule compares the deceased person's PIA with a 75 percent combined calculation that includes your own Social Security benefit.
- A numerical cap could limit the 75 percent amount; that cap is based on a hypothetical earnings history tied to the national average wage index.
- If you get SSI, the bill says your SSI eligibility and payment calculations will treat the new Title II benefit amount as not exceeding the pre-enactment Title II amount, so SSI rules use the older counted amount for eligibility and payment purposes.
Expenses#
The bill text and accompanying metadata do not include any budget estimates or cost numbers. No publicly available information on projected federal costs or savings is provided in the bill text.
Proponents' View#
The bill's title and text state its purpose is to improve Social Security benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households. Supporters would say the changes raise survivor benefit calculations so some survivors receive larger monthly payments and better protection in retirement.
Opponents' View#
No publicly available information in the bill text or metadata describes opposition views or arguments against the bill.