(a) Short title
This Act may be cited as the Social Security Expansion Act.
(b) Table of contents
The table of contents of this Act is as follows:
(a) Increase of first bend point percentage
Section 215(a)(1)(A)(i) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 415(a)(1)(A)(i)) is amended by striking 90 percent and inserting 95 percent.
(1) In general
Section 215(a)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 415(a)(1)(B)) is amended—
(A) by redesignating clause (iii) as clause (iv); and
(B) by inserting after clause (ii) the following new clause:
(iii) For an individual who is eligible for an old-age or disability insurance benefit (or who dies before becoming eligible for such a benefit) in any calendar year after 2025, the amount determined for the individual under clause (ii) of this subparagraph for purposes of subparagraph (A)(i)(I) shall be increased by 18 percent.
(B) .
(2) Conforming amendment
Clause (iv) of section 215(a)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 415(a)(1)(B)), as redesignated by paragraph (1), is amended by inserting (after the application of clause (iii), when applicable) after clause (ii).
(1) In general
The amendments made by this section shall take effect on January 1, 2026, and shall apply with respect to monthly insurance benefits payable under title II of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.) for months in calendar years beginning on or after such date.
(A) In general
Notwithstanding section 215(f) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 415(f)), the Commissioner of Social Security shall recompute primary insurance amounts to the extent necessary to carry out the amendments to this section.
(B) Rule of application
In recomputing the primary insurance amount of an individual who initially became eligible for old-age or disability insurance benefits before January 1, 2026, the Commissioner of Social Security shall apply the increase described in clause (iii) of section 215(a)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act (as added by subsection (b)(1)(B)) to the amount determined under clause (ii) of such section 215(a)(1)(B) for the calendar year in which the individual initially became eligible for such benefits.
(a) In general
Section 215(i)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 415(i)(1)) is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
(H) the term Consumer Price Index means the Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers (CPI–E, as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor).
(a) In general
.
(1) In general
Section 215(i)(1) of the Social Security Act as in effect in December 1978, and as applied in certain cases under the provisions of such Act as in effect after December 1978, is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
(D) the term Consumer Price Index means the Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers (CPI–E, as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor).
(1) In general
.
(2) Conforming change
Section 215(i)(4) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 415(i)(4)) is amended—
(A) by striking and by section 9001 and inserting, section 9001; and
(B) by inserting and section 3 of the Social Security Expansion Act, after 1986,.
(c) No effect on adjustments under other laws
Section 215(i) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 415(i)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(6) Any provision of law (other than in this title, title VIII, or title XVI) which provides for adjustment of an amount based on a change in benefit amounts resulting from a determination made under this subsection shall be applied and administered without regard to the amendments made by section 3 of the Social Security Expansion Act, and, for purposes of making such an adjustment under such a provision, this subsection as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of such Act shall continue to apply.
(c) No effect on adjustments under other laws
.
(d) Publication of Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor shall prepare and publish the index authorized by section 191 of the Older Americans Amendments Act of 1987 (29 U.S.C. 2 note) for each calendar month, beginning with July of the calendar year following the calendar year in which this Act is enacted, and such index shall be known as the Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers.
(e) Effective date
The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply to determinations made with respect to cost-of-living computation quarters (as defined in section 215(i)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 415(i)(1)(B))) ending on or after September 30 of the second calendar year following the calendar year in which this Act is enacted.
(a) In general
Section 215(a)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 415(a)(1)) is amended—
(1) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (E); and
(2) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following new subparagraph:
(i) Effective with respect to the benefits of individuals who become eligible for old-age insurance benefits or disability insurance benefits (or die before becoming so eligible) after 2025, no primary insurance amount computed under subparagraph (A) may be less than the greater of—
(I) the minimum monthly amount computed under subparagraph (C); or
(II) in the case of an individual who has more than 10 years of work (as defined in clause (iv)(I)), the alternative minimum amount determined under clause (ii).
(I) The alternative minimum amount determined under this clause is the applicable percentage of 1/12 of the annual dollar amount determined under clause (iii) for the year in which the amount is determined.
(II) For purposes of subclause (I), the applicable percentage is the percentage specified in connection with the number of years of work, as set forth in the following table:
(II) If the number of years The applicable of work is: percentage is: 11 6.25 percent 12 12.50 percent 13 18.75 percent 14 25.00 percent 15 31.25 percent 16 37.50 percent 17 43.75 percent 18 50.00 percent 19 56.25 percent 20 62.50 percent 21 68.75 percent 22 75.00 percent 23 81.25 percent 24 87.50 percent 25 93.75 percent 26 100.00 percent 27 106.25 percent 28 112.50 percent 29 118.75 percent 30 or more 125.00 percent.
(iii) The annual dollar amount determined under this clause is—
(I) for calendar year 2026, the poverty guideline for 2025; and
(II) for any calendar year after 2026, the annual dollar amount for 2026 multiplied by the ratio of—
(aa) the national average wage index (as defined in section 209(k)(1)) for the second calendar year preceding the calendar year for which the determination is made, to
(bb) the national average wage index (as so defined) for 2024.
(iv) For purposes of this subparagraph—
(I) the term year of work means, with respect to an individual, a year to which 4 quarters of coverage have been credited based on such individual’s wages and self-employment income; and
(II) the term poverty guideline for 2025 means the annual poverty guideline for 2025 (as updated annually in the Federal Register by the Department of Health and Human Services under the authority of section 673(2) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981) as applicable to a single individual.
(2) .
(b) Recomputation
Notwithstanding section 215(f)(1) of the Social Security Act, the Commissioner of Social Security shall recompute primary insurance amounts originally computed for months prior to November 2025 to the extent necessary to carry out the amendments made by this section.
(c) Conforming amendment
Section 209(k)(1) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 409(k)(1)) is amended by inserting 215(a)(1)(E), after 215(a)(1)(D),.
(1) In general
Section 202(d) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 402(d)) is amended—
(A) in paragraph (1)—
(i) in subparagraph (B)—
(I) by striking or (ii) and inserting (ii); and
(II) by inserting or (iii) was the child of an individual entitled to disability insurance benefits or of an individual who dies a fully or currently insured individual and was a full-time student at an educational institution and had not attained the age of 22, after 22,;
(ii) in subparagraph (E)—
(I) by striking and (ii) and inserting (ii); and
(II) by inserting and (iii) is not a full-time student at an educational institution during any part of such month (in the case of a child who is the child of an individual entitled to disability insurance benefits or of an individual who dies a fully or currently insured individual) before the comma at the end;
(iii) in subparagraph (F), by striking clauses (i) and (ii) and inserting the following:
(i) in the case of a child who is the child of an individual entitled to old-age insurance benefits—
(I) the first month during no part of which the child is a full-time elementary or secondary school student, or
(II) the month in which the child attains the age of 19, and
(ii) in the case of a child who is the child of an individual entitled to disability insurance benefits or of an individual who dies a fully or currently insured individual—
(I) the first month during no part of which the child is a full-time student at an educational institution, or
(II) the month in which the child attains the age of 22,
(iii) ; and
(iv) in subparagraph (G), by striking clauses (ii) and (iii) and inserting the following:
(ii) in the case of a child who is the child of an individual entitled to old-age insurance benefits—
(I) the first month during no part of which the child is a full-time elementary or secondary school student, or
(II) the month in which the child attains the age of 19, and
(iii) in the case of a child who is the child of an individual entitled to disability insurance benefits or of an individual who dies a fully or currently insured individual—
(I) the first month during no part of which the child is a full-time student at an educational institution, or
(II) the month in which the child attains the age of 22,
(iv) ;
(B) in paragraph (6)—
(i) in subparagraph (A)—
(I) by striking or (ii) and inserting (ii); and
(II) by inserting or (iii) is the child of an individual entitled to disability insurance benefits or of an individual who dies a fully or currently insured individual and is a full-time student at an educational institution and has not attained the age of 22, after 22,; and
(ii) by striking subparagraphs (D) and (E) and inserting the following:
(D) the earlier of—
(i) in the case of a child who is the child of an individual entitled to old-age insurance benefits—
(I) the first month during no part of which the child is a full-time elementary or secondary school student; or
(II) the month in which the child attains the age of 19; and
(ii) in the case of a child who is the child of an individual entitled to disability insurance benefits or of an individual who dies a fully or currently insured individual—
(I) the first month during no part of which the child is a full-time student at an educational institution; or
(II) the month in which the child attains the age of 22,
(ii) but only if the child is not under a disability (as so defined) in such earlier month; or
(E) if the child was under a disability (as so defined), the termination month (as defined in paragraph (1)(G)(i)), subject to section 223(e), or (if later) the earlier of—
(i) in the case of a child who is the child of an individual entitled to old-age insurance benefits—
(I) the first month during no part of which the child is a full-time elementary or secondary school student; or
(II) the month in which the child attains the age of 19; and
(ii) in the case of a child who is the child of an individual entitled to disability insurance benefits or of an individual who dies a fully or currently insured individual—
(I) the first month during no part of which the child is a full-time student at an educational institution; or
(II) the month in which the child attains the age of 22.
(ii) ; and
(C) in paragraph (7), by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
(E) The term full-time student at an educational institution means an individual who is in full-time attendance as a student at an elementary school (but only in the case of an individual who has not attained the age of 19) or a secondary school or an institution described in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002), as determined by the Commissioner of Social Security (in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Commissioner) in the light of the standards and practices of the schools and institutions involved, except that no individual shall be considered a full-time student at an educational institution if the individual is paid by his employer while attending a school or institution at the request, or pursuant to a requirement, of his employer. An individual shall not be considered a full-time student at an educational institution for the purpose of this section while that individual is confined in a jail, prison, or other penal institution or correctional facility, pursuant to the individual's conviction of an offense (committed after the effective date of this sentence) which constituted a felony under applicable law. An individual who is determined to be a full-time student at an educational institution shall be deemed to be such a student throughout the month with respect to which such determination is made.
(F) Except to the extent provided in such regulations, an individual shall be deemed to be a full-time student at a school or educational institution during any period of nonattendance at a school or institution at which he has been in full-time attendance if (i) such period is 4 calendar months or less, and (ii) the individual shows to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Social Security that the individual intends to continue to be in full-time attendance at a secondary school or institution described in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002) immediately following such period. An individual who does not meet the requirement of clause (ii) with respect to such period of nonattendance shall be deemed to have met such requirement (as of the beginning of such period) if he is in full-time attendance at such a school or institution immediately following such period.
(G) A child who attains age 22 at a time when the child is a full-time student of an educational institution (as defined in subparagraph (E) and without application of subparagraph (F)) but has not (at such time) completed the requirements for, or received, a diploma or equivalent certificate from a secondary school (as defined in subparagraph (C)(i)) or, if such child is a student at an educational institution described in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, a diploma, degree, or equivalent degree from such an institution, shall be deemed (for purposes of determining whether the child's entitlement to benefits under this subsection has terminated under paragraph (1)(F) and for purposes of determining his initial entitlement to such benefits under clause (iii) of paragraph (1)(B)) not to have attained such age until the first day of the first month following the end of the quarter or semester in which he is enrolled at such time (or, if the secondary school or educational institution in which he is enrolled is not operated on a quarter or semester system, until the first day of the first month following the completion of the course in which the child is so enrolled or until the first day of the third month beginning after such time, whichever first occurs).
(C) .
(2) Effective date
The amendments made by this subsection shall apply to child's insurance benefits that are payable for months beginning on or after January 1, 2026.
(1) Section 2(d) of the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 (45 U.S.C. 232(2)(d)) is amended—
(A) in clause (iii) of paragraph (1), by striking will be less than nineteen years of age and a full-time elementary or secondary school student and inserting will be less than 22 years of age and a full-time student at an educational institution (as defined in section 202(d)(7)(E) of the Social Security Act); and
(B) in paragraph (4)—
(i) by striking (defining the terms full-time elementary or secondary school student and elementary or secondary school);
(ii) by striking nineteen and inserting 22;
(iii) by striking full-time elementary or secondary school student and inserting full-time student at an educational institution;
(iv) by striking subparagraph (A) of paragraph (7) of section 202(d) of the Social Security Act and without the application of subparagraph (B) and inserting subparagraph (E) of section 202(d)(7) of the Social Security Act, without regard to subparagraph (F) of such section;
(v) by striking a diploma or equivalent certificate from a secondary school (as defined in section 202(d)(7)(c)(i) of the Social Security Act) and inserting a diploma, degree, or equivalent certificate from a secondary school or educational institution described in section 202(d)(7)(E) of the Social Security Act; and
(vi) by striking elementary or secondary school in which he is enrolled and inserting school or institution in which the child is enrolled.
(2) Section 5(c)(7) of the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 (45 U.S.C. 235(c)(7)) is amended—
(A) by striking full-time elementary or secondary school student and inserting full-time student at an educational institution; and
(B) by striking 19 and inserting 22.
(3) The amendments made by this subsection shall apply to benefits under the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 that are payable for months beginning on or after January 1, 2026.
(a) In general
Paragraph (1) of section 3121(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read as follows:
(1) in the case of taxes imposed by sections 3101(a) and 3111(a), for any calendar year in which the contribution and benefit base (as determined under section 230 of the Social Security Act) is less than $250,000, so much of the remuneration (other than remuneration referred to in the succeeding paragraphs of this subsection) with respect to employment that has been paid to an individual by an employer during the calendar year as exceeds such contribution and benefit base but does not exceed $250,000;
(a) In general
.
(1) Successor employers
Section 3121 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
(aa) Special rules for successor employers
For purposes of subsection (a)(1), if an employer (hereinafter referred to as successor employer) during any calendar year acquires substantially all the property used in a trade or business of another employer (hereinafter referred to as a predecessor), or used in a separate unit of a trade or business of a predecessor, and immediately after the acquisition employs in his trade or business an individual who immediately prior to the acquisition was employed in the trade or business of such predecessor, then, for the purpose of determining the amount of remuneration paid by the successor employer under such subsection, any remuneration (other than remuneration referred to in the paragraphs succeeding paragraph (1) of subsection (a)) with respect to employment paid (or considered under this subsection as having been paid) to such individual by such predecessor during such calendar year and prior to such acquisition shall be considered as having been paid by such successor employer.
(1) Successor employers
.
(2) Application to railroad retirement taxes
Clause (i) of section 3231(e)(2)(A) of such Code is amended to read as follows:
(i) In general
For any calendar year in which the applicable base is less than $250,000, the term compensation does not include so much of the remuneration paid during any calendar year to an individual by an employer for services rendered as an employee to such employer as exceeds the applicable base but does not exceed $250,000.
(2) Application to railroad retirement taxes
.
(c) Effective date
The amendments made by this section shall apply to remuneration paid on or after January 1 of the first calendar year that begins after the date of enactment of this Act.
(a) In general
Paragraph (1) of section 1402(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read as follows:
(1) in the case of the tax imposed by section 1401(a) for any taxable year beginning in a calendar year in which the contribution and benefit base (as determined under section 230 of the Social Security Act) is less than $250,000, the excess (if any) of—
(A) so much of the net earnings from self-employment which is in excess of—
(i) an amount equal to the contribution and benefit base (as determined under section 230 of the Social Security Act) which is effective for the calendar year in which such taxable year begins, minus
(ii) the amount of the wages paid to such individual during such taxable years, over
(B) the sum of—
(i) the excess (if any) of—
(I) the net earning from self-employment reduced by the excess (if any) of subparagraph (A)(i) over subparagraph (A)(ii), over
(II) $250,000, reduced by such contribution and benefit base, plus
(ii) the amount of the wages paid to such individual during such taxable year in excess of such contribution and benefit base and not in excess of $250,000; or
(a) In general
.
(b) Effective date
The amendments made by this section shall apply to net earnings from self-employment derived, and remuneration paid, on or after January 1 of the first calendar year that begins after the date of enactment of this Act.
(1) In general
Subsection (a) of section 1411 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking 3.8 percent each place it appears and inserting 16.2 percent.
(2) Conforming amendment
The heading for chapter 2A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking Unearned income medicare contribution and inserting Additional tax on unearned income in lieu of Social Security and Medicare taxes.
(1) In general
Section 1411(c)(1)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended—
(A) in clause (i), by striking, other than such income which is derived in the ordinary course of a trade or business not described in paragraph (2),
(B) in clause (ii), by striking described in paragraph (2) and inserting (determined under rules similar to the rules of paragraphs (5) and (6) of section 469(c)), and
(C) in clause (iii), by striking other than property held in a trade or business not described in paragraph (2).
(2) Denial of deduction for net operating losses
Section 1411(c)(1)(B) of such Code is amended by inserting (other than the deduction for net operating losses provided in section 172) after net gain.
(A) Section 1411(c) of such Code is amended by striking paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) and by redesignating paragraphs (5) and (6) as paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively.
(B) Section 1411(c)(3) of such Code, as redesignated by subparagraph (A), is amended to read as follows:
(3) Special rule
Net investment income shall not include—
(A) any item taken into account in determining self-employment income for such taxable year on which a tax is imposed by section 1401, or
(B) any item taken into account in determining wages received with respect to employment for such taxable year on which a tax is imposed by section 3101.
(B) .
(c) Effective date
The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after the date of enactment of this Act.