Changes how Social Security survivor benefits are figured

Widows and widowers who also earned their own Social Security could get a larger monthly survivor payment, set as the bigger of two amounts, starting in 2027.

• Payment would be the larger of the deceased spouse's benefit or 75% of the two benefits combined
• The larger amount would be capped by a formula tied to the national average wage
• Extra survivor money would not count as income when figuring Supplemental Security Income
• Applies to payments for months after December 2026

In committee

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