Strengthening Social Security Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9296
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Social Welfare
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-11: 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.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-02T15:13:04Z
AI-Generated Summary
Strengthening Social Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 9296)
Purpose This legislation aims to enhance retirement security for U.S. families by modifying Social Security financing and benefit calculations to address long-term program sustainability and support for beneficiaries, particularly through expanded taxation on higher earnings and improved benefit formulas.
Key Provisions
- Taxable Earnings Above the Cap: Phases out the Social Security contribution and benefit base for wages and self-employment income after 2027. The applicable percentage of earnings above the base subject to payroll taxes is 80% in 2028, reduced by 20 percentage points annually through 2031, and 0% starting in 2032.
- Benefit Formula Adjustments: Raises the first bend point replacement factor from 90% to 95% (phased in from 91% in 2032 to 95% by 2036) and increases the first bend point amount by up to 15% by 2047. Introduces "surplus average indexed monthly earnings" (earnings above the base) into primary insurance amount calculations at a 5% rate for individuals becoming eligible after 2032.
- Cost-of-Living Adjustments: Directs the Bureau of Labor Statistics to publish a Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers (CPI-E) for use in annual benefit adjustments, replacing the standard CPI-W for Social Security COLAs starting with quarters ending after September 30, 2027.
- Survivor Benefits: For widows and widowers (including surviving divorced spouses) after December 2027, allows benefits equal to the greater of the deceased spouse’s primary insurance amount or 75% of the sum of the survivor’s own benefit plus the deceased’s amount, subject to applicable percentage reductions and a hypothetical individual cap.
- SSI Protection: Deems an individual’s Social Security benefit amount as not exceeding the pre-enactment level when calculating Supplemental Security Income eligibility and payment amounts.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends Internal Revenue Code sections 3121 and 1402, and Social Security Act sections 209, 211, 215, and 202 to expand taxable earnings beyond the annual cap and incorporate surplus earnings into benefit computations.
- Modifies section 215(i) to require use of the CPI-E for COLAs instead of the standard index.
- Updates survivor benefit rules in sections 202(e) and 202(f) to provide a more favorable calculation for two-earner households.
- Introduces new statutory authority for the CPI-E under the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Requires additional funding and operational changes for the Social Security Administration to implement benefit recomputations and the new index; directs the Bureau of Labor Statistics to develop and publish the CPI-E.
- Citizens: Increases payroll tax obligations for higher-earning workers and self-employed individuals starting in 2028; may raise benefit levels for many future retirees through bend point changes and surplus earnings inclusion; provides enhanced survivor benefits for widows/widowers from dual-income households; protects SSI recipients from benefit increases affecting eligibility.
- International Relations: No provisions address international matters.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Current and future Social Security beneficiaries, including retirees, disabled workers, and survivors.
- High-income workers and self-employed individuals subject to expanded taxation.
- Widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses.
- Supplemental Security Income recipients.
- The Social Security Administration and Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill makes targeted statutory amendments to the Internal Revenue Code and Social Security Act without altering constitutional structures or creating new legal frameworks. It applies prospectively with phased implementation dates and includes recomputation requirements for primary insurance amounts through 2047. No provisions introduce novel regulatory authorities or affect federalism balances.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Sánchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38]
Cosponsors (5)
Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-11: 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.
- 2026-06-11: 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.
- 2026-06-11: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-11: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Strengthening Social Security Act of 2026 — issued 2026-06-11 — PDF (22 pages)