Linda Sánchez (D-CA)
Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act
A Democratic bill with 7 Democratic cosponsors · See all 7 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act" (or "POWR Act") amends the Social Security Act to change how benefits are calculated for widows and widowers in two-income households. It updates the formulas for insurance benefits for both widows and widowers, including those who are surviving divorced spouses. The bill also includes a provision to ensure that these changes do not negatively affect the eligibility or payment amounts for individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI). These changes are set to apply to benefits payable after December 2026.
Yes· 3 of 13
- Scored +8
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
Directly increases the potential Social Security benefits for surviving spouses who are retirees.
- Scored +8
Would retired people be better off under this?
Improves the financial security of retired surviving spouses.
- Scored +7
Would women be better off under this?
Historically, widows have been more affected by survivor benefit calculations; this bill expands those options.
The opposite
- Scored -3
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill expands benefit calculations for survivors, leading to higher government expenditures.
- Scored -2
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?
Increasing Social Security benefit payouts likely increases government spending, which can negatively impact the national debt.
- Scored -2
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?
Increasing entitlements without a specified funding source generally decreases fiscal responsibility.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Benefit Options for Spouses: The bill changes the benefit calculation to the greater of the deceased individual's primary insurance amount or 75 percent of the combined sum of the survivor's own benefit and the deceased individual's primary insurance amount. This is found in SEC. 2. (a)(1)(B) for widows and SEC. 2. (a)(2)(B) for widowers.
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Protection for SSI Recipients: The bill ensures that any increase in Social Security benefits under this Act will not be used to reduce the amount of benefits payable to those under title XVI (SSI) or disqualify them from eligibility. This is found in SEC. 2. (b).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Benefit Caps: The bill introduces a limit on the 75 percent combined benefit calculation, stating it cannot exceed the primary insurance amount of a "hypothetical individual" based on specific wage and retirement age criteria. This is found in SEC. 2. (a)(1)(D) for widows and SEC. 2. (a)(2)(D) for widowers.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would retired people be better off under this? — Improves the financial security of retired surviving spouses. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Directly increases the potential Social Security benefits for surviving spouses who are retirees. Would men be better off under this? — The bill explicitly extends the same improved benefit calculations to widowers. Would women be better off under this? — Historically, widows have been more affected by survivor benefit calculations; this bill expands those options. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Increases benefits for survivors and protects SSI eligibility from being reduced by these increases. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Provides better benefit options for surviving spouses in two-income households. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Protects SSI recipients and covers those entitled to disability insurance benefits. Would high-income households be better off under this? — While benefits increase, they are subject to a cap based on a hypothetical individual's earnings.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this strengthen Social Security? — The bill directly improves benefit calculations for surviving spouses in two-income households. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Higher benefits for surviving spouses and protections for SSI recipients help reduce poverty among seniors. Does this narrow the gap between how men and women are treated? — By updating benefit formulas for both widows and widowers, it helps equalize survivor benefits in two-income households. Is this likely to reduce homelessness? — Increased income for seniors may indirectly reduce the risk of housing instability.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — Increased benefits for seniors can stimulate consumer spending. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill expands benefit calculations for survivors, leading to higher government expenditures. Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — Increasing entitlements without a specified funding source generally decreases fiscal responsibility. Does this reduce what the federal government owes? — Increasing Social Security benefit payouts likely increases government spending, which can negatively impact the national debt.
- 11/9/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/2/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- 6 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
5 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Steve CohenDemocrat · Tennessee
Adelita GrijalvaDemocrat · Arizona
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Chellie PingreeDemocrat · Maine
Janice SchakowskyDemocrat · Illinois
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan
Shri ThanedarDemocrat · Michigan