Copyright Newsweek
Democratic Senators have introduced a bill that would see Social Security payments rise by $200 per month. Why It Matters Social Security checks are paid to more than 50 million Americans during retirement, creating a bedrock of steady income later in life. The proposed bill comes as Americans voice growing concerns over inflation and affordability. In October, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced that benefits would rise by 2.8 percent next year because of the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). What To Know Last week, the Social Security Emergency Inflation Relief Act and the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act were in Congress. The first legislation would provide a $200 monthly boost to Social Security benefits until July 2026. If enacted, the bill would raise Social Security and veterans benefits. Co-signers of the bill include Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, Ron Wyden of Oregon and Chuck Schumer of New York. “This would provide relief to seniors, veterans, and Americans with disabilities who live on a fixed income that would not be able to keep up with Trump inflation,” a bill summary said. In a statement to Newsweek, the White House said, “President Trump will always protect and strengthen Social Security, which is why he signed historic legislation removing taxes on Social Security benefits for nearly all beneficiaries.” The U.S. annual inflation rate increased to 3 percent in September, up from 2.9 percent in August—the highest level since January. The second bill would change the formula for how annual COLA adjustments are determined. Currently, the SSA calculates the annual adjustment using the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), which measures inflation based on the spending habits of younger, urban workers rather than retirees. The bill proposes changing the inflation measure on which the COLA is produced to the CPI-E, which tracks the expenses and spending habits of Americans aged 62 and older. The Senior View on Social Security Benefits are available to workers aged 62 and over as well as to those in other circumstances, such as surviving family members of deceased workers and disabled Americans. But several studies have found that a substantial portion of Americans don’t believe Social Security stretches far enough. The average retirement benefit in August 2025, the latest month for which data is available, came in at $2,008. The Senior Citizens League, an advocacy group focused on issues affecting older Americans, found in a study published earlier this year that only 10 percent of seniors were happy with the amount they received from their monthly Social Security checks, and that 73 percent of seniors depended on Social Security for more than half their income. The nonprofit has long been an advocate of changing the COLA formula to the CPI-E, saying it could result in higher payments for seniors. What People Are Saying Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York said in a news release: “Americans deserve to retire with dignity, not spend their golden years just trying to get by. Our seniors have spent a lifetime of hard work paying into Social Security, but the payouts simply aren’t keeping up with rising costs, and this year’s annual cost-of-living adjustment is not enough to keep seniors afloat. “These two bills would help make sure that older Americans don’t have to choose between paying for medication and buying groceries, providing both short-term relief and long-term solutions. As the top Democrat on the Senate Aging Committee, I’m determined to pass these critical bills to make sure our seniors can age comfortably.” Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts said in a news release: “While Donald Trump sends $40 billion to Argentina, I’m proposing sending American seniors on Social Security an extra $200 a month to offset higher prices. The cost of everything from coffee to beef to health care is up, in large part due Trump’s chaotic tariffs, and Democrats are fighting to deliver some financial relief and lower costs for Americans. This new legislation to expand Social Security is an emergency lifeline for seniors struggling to afford Trump’s tariffs and rising inflation.”
