Safeguarding American Families and Expanding Social Security Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9415
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Taxation
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-23: 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
- 2026-07-09T16:00:12Z
AI-Generated Summary
## Purpose The legislation aims to enhance retirement security for American families by raising Social Security benefits for both current and future recipients and strengthening the program's long-term sustainability.
## Key Provisions
- Payroll Tax Adjustments (Section 2): Beginning in 2026, only a declining percentage of earnings above the annual contribution and benefit base is subject to Social Security taxes—80% in 2026, decreasing by 20 percentage points annually until reaching 0% in 2030 and thereafter. This applies to both wages and self-employment income.
- Benefit Formula Changes (Section 3): Raises the replacement rate for the lowest tier of average indexed monthly earnings from 90% to 95%. Introduces a new "surplus average indexed monthly earnings" category for earnings above the base, with a 5% replacement rate. Adjusts bend points upward, with additional increases after 2030. Requires recomputation of primary insurance amounts for beneficiaries eligible before 2026, effective January 2026, using updated parameters.
- Cost-of-Living Adjustments (Section 4): Directs the Bureau of Labor Statistics to create and use a Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers (CPI-E) for annual benefit adjustments, replacing the standard index for Social Security recipients. Applies to cost-of-living computation quarters ending on or after September 30, 2026.
## Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Modifies the Internal Revenue Code and Social Security Act to phase out taxation on a portion of high earnings above the contribution and benefit base, eventually eliminating it entirely after 2029.
- Expands the primary insurance amount formula to include surplus earnings with a partial credit and increases the base replacement rate for lower earners.
- Shifts the inflation measure for benefit increases from the general Consumer Price Index to a new elderly-specific index, with conforming changes to prior law provisions.
## Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Social Security Administration must recompute benefits for existing recipients and implement new calculation methods; the Bureau of Labor Statistics must develop and publish the CPI-E, requiring additional resources.
- Citizens: Current beneficiaries may see immediate benefit recalculations in 2026, while future recipients (eligible after 2030) receive enhanced formulas. High earners face reduced payroll tax liability on excess wages over time.
- International Relations: No direct effects identified in the legislation.
## Main Stakeholders Affected
- Current and future Social Security beneficiaries, including retirees, disabled individuals, and survivors.
- High-income workers and self-employed individuals subject to the contribution and benefit base.
- The Social Security Administration and Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Broader taxpayer base funding the program.
## Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Involves amendments to tax and entitlement statutes, potentially affecting the solvency of the Social Security trust funds through combined revenue reductions and benefit increases.
- Requires administrative rulemaking and data adjustments by federal agencies.
- Applies retroactively in part through benefit recomputations, with phased implementation across multiple years.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-23: 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.
- 2026-06-23: 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.
- 2026-06-23: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-23: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Safeguarding American Families and Expanding Social Security Act of 2026 — issued 2026-06-23 — PDF (18 pages)