Sponsors (5)
The bill raises Social Security benefits for qualifying former detainees/hostages and creates an application process to claim those credits, but it increases program costs and risks leaving some eligible people without relief because of documentation requirements and a two-year delay.
Qualifying former detainees and hostages: each month of detention will be counted as wage credits equal to the national average wage when computing Social Security benefits, increasing their benefit amounts.
Current beneficiaries who would otherwise see their earnings records reduced by months of detention: the law prevents applying the deeming rule when it would lower their benefits, protecting existing benefit levels.
Applicants, families, and SSA staff: requires the Social Security Administration to adopt regulations and an application process, creating a clear administrative pathway to claim the deemed-wage credits.
Eligible individuals who lack required federal-determination documentation or who miss the application window: may fail to receive the benefit because the law requires documentation and a claims process.
Taxpayers and the Social Security program: expanding deemed wages will increase benefit outlays and could raise program costs borne by taxpayers and the trust funds.
Qualifying former detainees and hostages: the 24-month delayed effective date postpones receipt of benefits and relief for eligible people.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Introduced February 20, 2025 by Christopher A. Coons · Last progress February 20, 2025
Creates a Social Security "deemed wages" credit for U.S. nationals who were unlawfully detained or held hostage abroad: each month of detention (before, on, or after enactment, but not after reaching Social Security retirement age) can be counted as if the person earned wages equal to the national average wage for benefit calculation, but only if that increases the person's monthly or lump-sum benefit. The Social Security Commissioner must issue regulations within one year and require applicants to submit federal determinations of detention/hostage status; the rule takes effect 24 months after enactment.