House bill aims to increase benefits for widows and widowers in Social Security.

A House bill aims to boost Social Security benefits for widows and widowers

A House bill that was reintroduced earlier this month seeks to provide a significant increase in Social Security benefits for widows and widowers. The Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act, introduced by Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA) on June 7, proposes the creation of an alternative benefit that would be equal to 75% of the combined income both spouses received when the recipient was alive. This would help alleviate the financial burden faced by many individuals who experience a drop in 50% of their monthly income when their spouse passes away, ultimately increasing their expected income by an additional 25%.

Addressing the financial distress caused by the loss of a spouse

“Losing a spouse is devastating, and for those who depend on Social Security, the added financial distress of losing significant income can make an already difficult time even more troubling,” Sanchez said in a statement.

“The POWR Act will create an alternative benefit, ensuring widows and widowers can keep paying their bills. I am proud to reintroduce this legislation to give some security and peace of mind to those who have lost a loved one.”

Under current law, surviving spouses often experience a sudden decrease in Social Security benefits when they lose their loved ones. This is because they cannot receive their own Social Security benefits and a survivor’s benefit, which can be up to 100% of their spouse’s Social Security primary insurance amount, simultaneously.

The survivor’s benefit can be paid out to spouses as young as 60, granting them Social Security benefits two years earlier than the youngest retirement age of 62. However, the monthly payment at age 60 is only 71% of the benefit that would be paid to the survivor at the full retirement age of 67. At 67, the monthly payment for survivors is 100% of the deceased’s full benefit.

Endorsements and support for the POWR bill

The new POWR bill has garnered support from six congressional co-signers and the nonprofit group Social Security Works. Nancy Altman, the president of the nonprofit group, emphasized the importance of protecting widows and widowers from a substantial loss of income that could potentially lead to poverty.

“Among Social Security’s most important protections are the monthly survivor annuities, currently paid to over four million widows and widowers,” Altman stated. “But these benefits are very modest and often represent a drastic drop in family income. Women and men who have just lost their spouses should not also face a substantial loss of income that puts them at risk of poverty.”

Rep. Linda Sanchez initially introduced the bill in 2016, and it has since gained support from Reps. Steve Cohen (D-TN), Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Tony Cardenas (D-CA), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), and Chellie Pingree (D-ME).

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