Congressman Kildee Introduces Bill to Strengthen Social Security, Increase Benefits for Seniors

WASHINGTON-Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus, today introduced the Social Security 2100: A Sacred Trust Act, which would increase Social Security benefits for Michiganders while making the system financially strong through the end of the century.

Kildee, a member of the Ways and Means Committee which oversees Social Security, joined Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01), Chairman of the Social Security Subcommittee and 194 other Members of Congress in introducing this landmark legislation.

"People who work their entire lives and contribute every paycheck should be able to rely on Social Security when they retire," Congressman Kildee said. "Over two million Michiganders rely on Social Security to pay their bills and live with dignity. I am proud to introduce this legislation to strengthen Social Security and increase Social Security benefits for current and future retirees."

The Social Security 2100: A Sacred Trust Act would provide:

• An across-the-board benefit increase for current and new beneficiaries;
• An improved cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) that considers the true costs incurred by seniors;
• A stronger minimum benefit, so someone who works their whole life does not retire into poverty;
• A tax cut for over 12 million middle income Social Security recipients by eliminating the tax on their benefits;
• An end to the 5-month waiting period to receive disability benefits;
• An enhanced benefit for widows and widowers in two income households.

"The Arc Michigan thanks Congressman Kildee for his leadership in introducing and continuing to push Social Security 2100: A Sacred Trust which strengthens our Social Security system for current and future beneficiaries, especially people with disabilities and their families," said The Arc Michigan Executive Director Sherri Boyd.

"Social Security 2100: A Sacred Trust combines the best of the previous year's Social Security 2100 Actwith President Biden's proposals to expand benefits and strengthen Social Security. The pandemic has only underscored what we already knew and has exacerbated systemic inequities-current benefits are not enough! Five million seniors are living in poverty due to longstanding discrimination in the labor force that affects mostly people of color and women. These are our mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, and neighbors. For too long, Congress has forsaken its duty to enhance benefits. It's time that we act now," said House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Chairman John B. Larson (CT-01).

Social Security is the major source of income for most seniors. In 2020, nearly nine out of ten people 65 and older were receiving a Social Security benefit. Social Security also provides protections to disabled workers and families who have lost a breadwinner. In Michigan's Fifth Congressional District, 178,321 families rely on Social Security.

The below organizations support this proposal:

• National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare
• Social Security Works
• Alliance for Retired Americans
• Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans
• California Alliance for Retired Americans
• Paralyzed Veterans of America
• Oregon Paralyzed Veterans of America
• Strengthen Social Security Coalition (includes more than 100 organizations)
• Leadership Council of Aging Organizations (includes 60 organizations)
• National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
• National Organization for Women
• Latinos for Secure Retirement
• National Education Association
• American Federation of Government Employees
• American Federation of Teachers
• The Arc of the United States
• Justice in Aging
• National Retiree Legislative Network
• Gray Panthers
• Economic Opportunity Institute
• International Federation of Professional & Technical Engineers
• Blue Future
• Broward for Progress
• Mainers for Accountable Leadership
• MoveOn
• American Family Voices
• EPI Policy Center
• The Senior Citizens League
• Public Citizen
• National Association of Disability Representatives
• National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives

Congressman Kildee is committed to fighting for Michigan's seniors. In Congress, Kildee is fighting to protect Social Security and seniors' pensions. Recently, Kildee secured $8 million in federal funds to support 149 affordable housing units for low-income mid-Michigan seniors. Kildee also helped introduce the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, which would lower drug costs for Michigan seniors and families by forcing drug companies to come to the table to negotiate drug prices to help drive down costs.

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