Bill · H.R. 10235· House(119-HR-10235)
Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act
- Introduced
- 9/2/2026
- Last activity
- 9/2/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- Sponsored by
- Linda Sánchez
- Cosponsors
- - 6 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement Act" (or "POWR Act") amends the Social Security Act to change how benefits are calculated for widows and widowers in two-income households. It updates the formulas for insurance benefits for both widows and widowers, including those who are surviving divorced spouses. The bill also includes a provision to ensure that these changes do not negatively affect the eligibility or payment amounts for individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI). These changes are set to apply to benefits payable after December 2026.
Yes· 3 of 13
Would people over 65 be better off under this?+8
Directly increases the potential Social Security benefits for surviving spouses who are retirees.
Would retired people be better off under this?+8
Improves the financial security of retired surviving spouses.
Would women be better off under this?+7
Historically, widows have been more affected by survivor benefit calculations; this bill expands those options.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-3
The bill expands benefit calculations for survivors, leading to higher government expenditures.
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?-2
Increasing Social Security benefit payouts likely increases government spending, which can negatively impact the national debt.
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?-2
Increasing entitlements without a specified funding source generally decreases fiscal responsibility.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Benefit Options for Spouses: The bill changes the benefit calculation to the greater of the deceased individual's primary insurance amount or 75 percent of the combined sum of the survivor's own benefit and the deceased individual's primary insurance amount. This is found in SEC. 2. (a)(1)(B) for widows and SEC. 2. (a)(2)(B) for widowers.
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Protection for SSI Recipients: The bill ensures that any increase in Social Security benefits under this Act will not be used to reduce the amount of benefits payable to those under title XVI (SSI) or disqualify them from eligibility. This is found in SEC. 2. (b).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Benefit Caps: The bill introduces a limit on the 75 percent combined benefit calculation, stating it cannot exceed the primary insurance amount of a "hypothetical individual" based on specific wage and retirement age criteria. This is found in SEC. 2. (a)(1)(D) for widows and SEC. 2. (a)(2)(D) for widowers.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Retirees+8Good For Seniors+8Good For Men+7Good For Women+7Good For Low Income Households+6Good For Middle Class Households+6Good For People With Disabilities+4Good For High Income Households+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Social Security+7Improves Poverty Reduction+5Improves Gender Equality+2Reduces Homelessness+1
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+1Reduces Government Spending-3Improves Fiscal Responsibility-2Reduces National Debt-2
- 9/2/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- 6 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
5 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
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Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Chellie PingreeDemocrat · Maine
Janice SchakowskyDemocrat · Illinois
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan
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