A Democratic bill with 6 Democratic cosponsors · See all 6 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
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 Strengthening Social Security Act of 2026 aims to improve retirement security for U.S. families. It changes how taxable wages and self-employment income above the contribution and benefit base are determined starting after 2027. The bill adjusts "bend points" and includes surplus earnings to determine primary insurance amounts. It also creates a Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers to calculate cost-of-living increases. Additionally, the act modifies insurance benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households and protects the eligibility of SSI beneficiaries.
Yes· 3 of 20
- Scored +9
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
Directly increases primary insurance amounts and tailors COLA to elderly expenditure patterns.
- Scored +9
Would retired people be better off under this?
Directly improves benefit amounts, cost-of-living adjustments, and survivor benefits.
- Scored +9
Does this strengthen Social Security?
Increases benefit calculations, improves COLA indexing, and enhances spousal benefits.
The opposite· 3 of 6
- Scored -5
Would people with substantial wealth be better off under this?
Higher earners face new taxes on income previously exempt from Social Security taxes.
- Scored -5
Would the very wealthiest people be better off under this?
Higher earners face new taxes on income previously exempt from Social Security taxes.
- Scored -5
Would billionaires be better off under this?
Higher earners face new taxes on income previously exempt from Social Security taxes.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Increased Insurance Amounts: The bill increases the first bend point factor from 90 percent to 95 percent, which affects the computation of primary insurance amounts (Section 3(a)(1)(A)).
- Benefit Inclusion of Surplus Earnings: It allows for 5 percent of an individual's surplus average indexed monthly earnings to be included in the determination of primary insurance amounts (Section 3(b)(4)).
- Tailored Cost-of-Living Adjustments: The bill mandates the creation of a "Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers" to be used for Social Security cost-of-living increases, focusing on expenditures typical for those at early retirement age (Section 4(a) and Section 5(a)(1)).
- Improved Spousal Benefits: Widows and widowers may receive a benefit equal to 75 percent of the sum of their own benefit and the primary insurance amount of the deceased individual in certain cases (Section 6(a)(1)(B) and 6(a)(2)(B)).
- SSI Protection: It ensures that SSI beneficiaries are held harmless by deeming their title II benefits not to exceed the amount they would have received before the act's enactment (Section 7).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Taxation on Higher Earnings: Starting in 2028, a percentage of wages and self-employment income above the contribution and benefit base will be taxable, starting at 80 percent in 2028 (Section 2(a)(1)(C) and 2(b)(2)(A)).
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? — Directly improves benefit amounts, cost-of-living adjustments, and survivor benefits. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Directly increases primary insurance amounts and tailors COLA to elderly expenditure patterns. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Increases the first bend point factor, which disproportionately benefits lower-earning Social Security recipients. Would women be better off under this? — Specifically improves benefits for widows in two-income households. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Increases benefit amounts and cost-of-living adjustments for future retirees. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Protects SSI eligibility and increases disability insurance benefit amounts through bend point adjustments. Would men be better off under this? — Improves benefits for widowers and overall Social Security solvency. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — Lower-income benefit enhancements generally positively impact marginalized groups with lower average lifetime earnings. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Lower-income benefit enhancements generally positively impact marginalized groups with lower average lifetime earnings. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Lower-income benefit enhancements generally positively impact marginalized groups with lower average lifetime earnings. Would union members be better off under this? — Improves retirement security and benefit amounts for laborers. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — General benefit increases are positive, though higher-income individuals in this group may face more taxes. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Future retirees benefit from higher benefit calculations and improved COLA. Would white Americans be better off under this? — Mixed impact between increased benefits for seniors and increased taxes for high earners. Would billionaires be better off under this? — Higher earners face new taxes on income previously exempt from Social Security taxes. Would people with substantial wealth be better off under this? — Higher earners face new taxes on income previously exempt from Social Security taxes. Would the very wealthiest people be better off under this? — Higher earners face new taxes on income previously exempt from Social Security taxes. Would business owners be better off under this? — Increases taxes on self-employment income above the contribution and benefit base. Would high-income households be better off under this? — Introduces new taxes on wages and self-employment income above the contribution base. Would farmers be better off under this? — Self-employed individuals (including many farmers) may face higher taxes on income above the base.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this strengthen Social Security? — Increases benefit calculations, improves COLA indexing, and enhances spousal benefits. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Higher benefit amounts for retirees and SSI protections help reduce elderly poverty. Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — Protects SSI beneficiaries from losing eligibility due to the act's benefit changes.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this raise taxes on the highest earners? — The bill taxes wages and self-employment income above the contribution and benefit base starting in 2028. Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — The bill seeks to strengthen the long-term solvency of Social Security through increased revenue. Does this reduce what the federal government owes? — Taxing higher earnings increases revenue for the Social Security Trust Fund.
- 7/27/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/11/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
3 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
Stephen LynchDemocrat · Massachusetts
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Chellie PingreeDemocrat · Maine
Janice SchakowskyDemocrat · Illinois
Shri ThanedarDemocrat · Michigan