A Democratic bill with 3 Democratic cosponsors · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
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
This bill, known as the Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment Act of 2025 or the SWIFT Act, amends title II of the Social Security Act to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses. It eliminates age restrictions and reductions for disabled individuals claiming these benefits before retirement age. The legislation also increases the child-in-care benefit age limit and modifies benefit limits alongside increases for delayed claims. Additionally, the bill protects current beneficiaries from losing other assistance due to these increased benefits and mandates informational booklets for surviving spouses.
Yes· 3 of 16
- Scored +8
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
Removes age limits and benefit penalties for disabled widows and widowers claiming benefits.
- Scored +8
Does this strengthen Social Security?
Significantly increases and expands survivors benefits under Title II of the Social Security Act.
- Scored +7
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
Improves survivors and retirement-related benefits for older widows and widowers.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Eligibility for Unreduced Benefits at Any Age: Section 2 removes the requirement that disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses must be between the ages of 50 and 60 to receive survivors benefits, and it eliminates benefit reductions for those claiming benefits before retirement age. This means disabled surviving spouses can receive full benefits regardless of age without facing financial penalties for claiming early.
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Increase in Child's Age Limit for Child-in-Care Benefits: Section 3 amends section 202(s)(1) of the Social Security Act to raise the age limit for child-in-care benefits from age 16 to age 18, or age 19 for full-time elementary or secondary school students. This provides extended financial support to families caring for older children.
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Protection of Current Benefits (Holding Harmless): Section 5 states that any additional income resulting from increased or new Social Security benefits under this Act will be disregarded when determining an individual's continued eligibility and benefit amounts for other Federal, State, or local programs. This ensures that recipients do not lose access to other vital assistance programs simply because their survivors benefits increased.
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Information Access for Surviving Spouses: Section 6 requires the Commissioner of Social Security to publish and mail an informational booklet to known widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses within 30 days of being informed of an individual's death. This helps survivors understand how to claim benefits, manage benefit timing, and contact the Social Security Administration.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Loss of Protection Upon Program Exit: Section 5(b) specifies that if an individual stops being eligible for a Federal, State, or local assistance program after the Act takes effect, the protection that disregards their increased Social Security income no longer applies to them for that program. This means former program participants cannot rely on the harmless provision if they try to reapply after losing eligibility.
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 people with disabilities be better off under this? — Removes age limits and benefit penalties for disabled widows and widowers claiming benefits. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Provides critical financial assistance and holds current beneficiaries harmless from losing other aid. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Improves survivors and retirement-related benefits for older widows and widowers. Would retired people be better off under this? — Enhances delayed retirement credits and protections for surviving spouses reaching retirement age. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Helps disabled surviving spouses who are under retirement age by removing benefit reductions. Would women be better off under this? — Primarily benefits widows and surviving divorced spouses, who are predominantly women. Would children be better off under this? — Extends child-in-care benefits for older children up to age 18 or 19. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Provides broader access to unreduced survivors benefits for families experiencing the loss of a spouse. Would students be better off under this? — Extends child-in-care benefits for children who are full-time elementary or secondary school students up to age 19. Would men be better off under this? — Includes benefits for surviving widowers, though a smaller demographic impact.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this strengthen Social Security? — Significantly increases and expands survivors benefits under Title II of the Social Security Act. Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — Eliminates age restrictions and benefit reductions for disabled surviving spouses claiming social security benefits. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Provides essential financial relief to disabled widows, widowers, and low-income surviving spouses. Does this make child care cost less? — Raises the age limit for child-in-care benefits to support families caring for older children. Does this narrow the gap between how men and women are treated? — Improves financial security for widows and surviving divorced spouses, who are disproportionately women.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Requires the Social Security Administration to provide informational booklets to surviving spouses.
- 11/20/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Kirsten GillibrandDemocrat · New York
Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota
Patty MurrayDemocrat · Washington
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont