Gillibrand unveils new legislation aimed at significantly increasing Social Security benefits for seniors struggling with rising living costs

New York – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is taking aim at rising living costs by introducing new legislation that seeks to boost Social Security benefits for some of the nation’s most vulnerable seniors. With many older Americans reporting that everyday expenses—from groceries to rent—have climbed faster than their fixed incomes, Gillibrand is placing renewed focus on helping widowed and surviving divorced spouses, groups that often fall behind due to outdated federal rules.

The legislation, called the Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment (SWIFT) Act, was introduced today as part of the senator’s broader effort to modernize Social Security and restore benefits that advocates say have not kept up with reality. She unveiled the bill alongside several Senate colleagues: Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Bernie Sanders of Vermont, and Patty Murray of Washington.

Gillibrand framed the proposal as a needed update to a system that seniors depend on but often struggle to navigate. “Our seniors have spent a lifetime working hard and paying into Social Security, and they deserve to receive adequate benefits and retire with dignity, not spend their golden years just trying to get by,” she said. “But outdated rules and antiquated policies mean that too many seniors, especially widowed spouses, and women disproportionately, aren’t receiving the benefits they’ve earned or being treated fairly. Our SWIFT Act will help modernize the program and strengthen benefits for our seniors.”

Addressing Longstanding Gaps in the System

The SWIFT Act tackles several long-criticized elements of Social Security’s survivor benefit rules. Among its biggest changes is a provision allowing widowed and surviving divorced spouses with disabilities to receive the full survivor benefit they are entitled to—100%, regardless of age. Under current policy, these individuals may face age-based restrictions that limit their monthly income, even if they cannot work due to disability.

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The bill also challenges benefit caps that lawmakers say no longer make sense. These caps restrict how much survivor income a spouse can receive, regardless of what they contributed to the system throughout their working lives. Supporters argue that the caps are outdated and effectively penalize families who relied on two incomes before the death or disability of a partner.

In addition, the legislation would expand child-in-care benefits, which apply to widowed and surviving divorced spouses raising children. Gillibrand and her colleagues say this provision is especially important for families balancing caregiving needs with rising household costs. With many parents juggling school expenses, child care, medical needs, and basic living costs, the bill seeks to relieve pressure on households suddenly facing the loss of a spouse or former spouse who helped provide financial support.

Senator Blumenthal emphasized the importance of reconciling Social Security rules with today’s economic realities. “The SWIFT Act corrects outdated rules and restrictions and removes barriers limiting Social Security benefits — ensuring widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses receive the Social Security benefits they rightfully deserve. Social Security is a lifeline for Americans, playing a critical role in their economic security and financial well-being — and yet, many individuals face burdensome hurdles and arbitrary requirements preventing them from receiving the full benefits they are owed. With this legislation, we make sure that no American is missing out on the benefits they need to live with dignity,” he said.

Backed by National Advocacy Organizations

Several major labor and advocacy groups have lined up behind the SWIFT Act. Support comes from the AFL-CIO, AFSCME, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, Justice in Aging, Social Security Works, the Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement, and others. Many of these organizations have spent years urging lawmakers to revise survivor benefit rules, saying that thousands of seniors—disproportionately women—lose financial stability due to outdated regulations.

Their support reflects a broader concern that while Social Security remains a bedrock program, it has not been updated thoroughly to accommodate demographic changes, rising costs, and shifts in the workforce. As more older adults rely solely on Social Security in retirement, even modest adjustments can significantly affect their well-being.

Part of a Larger Push to Reform Social Security

Senator Gillibrand’s introduction of the SWIFT Act comes as part of a larger campaign she is waging to strengthen Social Security and protect it from cuts proposed by the Trump administration. As the top Democrat on the Senate Aging Committee, she has placed senior-focused legislation at the center of her policy agenda.

Earlier this year, she introduced the Social Security Emergency Inflation Relief Act, which would temporarily increase monthly Social Security payments by $200 through July 2026. She also put forward the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act, which aims to change how annual cost-of-living adjustments are calculated, ensuring that they better reflect expenses commonly faced by seniors, such as health care and housing.

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Her opposition to what she describes as harmful administrative changes has also been vocal. In recent months, Gillibrand has joined seniors and unions in calling for the reversal of staffing and service reductions at the Social Security Administration. She argues that these cuts, carried out under the Trump administration, have made it harder for seniors to access services, file claims, and receive timely assistance.

She also introduced the Keep Billionaires Out of Social Security Act, which she says is necessary to “undo President Trump’s damage” and restore fair access to the program.

Coordinated Democratic Response

Gillibrand is additionally part of the Senate Democrats’ Social Security War Room, a coordinated effort to respond to threats against the program and engage the public on its importance. The War Room works to bring personal stories into the policy debate, highlight contrasts between Democratic and Republican approaches, and reinforce the idea that Social Security is an earned benefit—not a handout.

Through this team, Gillibrand and her colleagues are working to inform voters about how proposed cuts could affect their livelihoods. They also aim to help staff and stakeholders understand the landscape of current proposals and the potential long-term impacts on American families.

Looking Ahead

As the SWIFT Act enters the legislative process, it is expected to draw attention from senior advocates, financial experts, and lawmakers debating the future of Social Security. With inflation still squeezing fixed-income households and more seniors relying on survivor benefits to stay afloat, pressures for reform are mounting.

For Gillibrand, the message remains consistent: seniors have earned their benefits, and the federal government has a responsibility to update the system to reflect the world they live in today. Whether the SWIFT Act advances in the coming months will reveal how much consensus exists in Congress on modernizing one of the country’s most important social programs.

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