Congresswoman Simon Introduces Legislation to Protect, Expand Social Security

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) introduced the Safeguarding American Families and Expanding Social Security (SAFE Social Security) Act, legislation to expand Social Security for seniors and families in California and across the country. 

The bill will increase benefits on average by more than $150 per month, ensure cost-of-living adjustments adequately reflect the living expenses of retirees, extend the life of the Social Security trust fund, and remove the wage cap to ensure all Americans contribute to the trust fund equitably.

“As someone who navigated the Social Security system and received Social Security survivor benefits after my husband passed, I know that Social Security benefits do not adequately reflect the real lives of Americans – the cost of living continues to rise, while wages and benefits stay the same. We must act to protect and strengthen Social Security for current beneficiaries and the generations to come,” said Congresswoman Simon. “I’m proud to partner with Senator Schatz on this bill to improve Social Security and ensure the over 114,800 people in Alameda County and over 75 million people nationwide who rely on Social Security have the support they deserve.”  

Specifically, the SAFE Social Security Act will:

• Phase out the payroll tax cap so that payroll taxes apply fairly to every dollar of wages earned;
• Adjust current benefits calculations to increase average monthly benefits by over $150; and
• Update the annual cost of living adjustment to better reflect the real costs that seniors face through the use of the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly.

The bill text can be found here. 

This bill is endorsed by AFL-CIO, United Steelworkers International Union, Alliance for Retired Americans, and Social Security Works.

"Social Security is the cornerstone of a secure retirement for working families. The SAFE Social Security Act, which lifts the tax cap for high earners, is the fairest and most equitable way to extend the solvency of the program while also improving benefits for everyone who has spent years contributing to the economy. This is critical legislation that safeguards the future of a crucial program while also addressing the economic concerns of everyday voters,” said Jody Calemine, Director of Government Affairs for AFL-CIO.

“Every worker deserves a dignified retirement. Yet millions of older Americans stand to fall into poverty if Congress lets the Social Security Trust Fund become exhausted in 2032. Rather than waiting for this crisis to materialize, our union is calling on Congress to instead strengthen Social Security now, ensuring that it’s adequately funded and that workers can continue to access it as they plan their retirements,” said United Steelworkers (USW) International Union President Roxanne Brown. “We appreciate Representative Simon’s SAFE Social Security Act which creates a simple, straightforward process to secure Social Security for decades to come.”  

“We applaud Congresswoman Simon for introducing this important legislation, which will boost Social Security benefits for today’s retirees while strengthening the program’s long-term finances so future generations can count on it as well,” said Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans. “The SAFE Social Security Act will ensure that all Americans, including the wealthy, pay their fair share into the system, and that workers who leave the workforce to care for loved ones are not penalized when they reach retirement.”

“Social Security Works enthusiastically endorses the SAFE Social Security Act. This essential legislation substantially increases benefits for all current and future beneficiaries,” said Nancy Altman, President of Social Security Works. “It also ensures that all benefits can be paid in full and on time for the foreseeable future. This visionary legislation demonstrates how important Social Security is for all of us, as well as the need to expand these vital benefits." 

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