Social Security 2100 Act

Benefit Increases: The bill provides an across-the-board benefit increase of 3 percent for the years 2027 through 2036 (Section 101).

Improved Cost-of-Living Adjustments: It updates cost-of-living adjustments to use either the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers or the Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers, depending on which is higher (Section 102).

Support for Low Earners: The bill increases the minimum benefit for long-term low earners based on their years of work and the poverty guideline (Section 103).

Tax Relief for Benefits: It increases the threshold amounts for including Social Security benefits in income (Section 104).

Improved Widow/Widower Benefits: The bill improves benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households (Section 105).

Long-term Eligibility Bonuses: It increases benefits for individuals who have been eligible for 15 or more years (Section 106).

Caregiver Recognition: The act provides caregiver credits for those providing care to dependent relatives (Section 107).

Faster Disability Access: It eliminates the 5-month waiting period for disability benefits (Section 108).

Extended Education Benefits: The bill extends child's benefits for post-secondary school students up to the age of 26 (Section 110).

Relative Support: It increases access to benefits for children living with grandparents or other relatives (Section 111).

Data Privacy and Recourse: It protects Social Security data and provides for civil damages if an individual's information is negligently accessed or disclosed (Section 303).

Service Accessibility: The bill includes a moratorium on closing or consolidating Social Security field and hearing offices (Section 302).

Protection of Social Security Numbers: The bill prohibits the invalidation of account numbers without sufficient evidence, such as death or fraud, or for correcting clerical errors (Section 304(a)(1)). This protects individuals from having their accounts improperly flagged or suspended.

Ability to Seek Damages: If an individual's Social Security number is wrongfully invalidated and they suffer harm, they can bring a civil action for damages and injunctive relief (Section 304(a)(3)(A)). This provides a legal path for accountability.

Financial Relief During Overpayment Recoveries: When the Commissioner recovers an overpayment that was not due to fraud, they cannot decrease monthly benefits by more than 10 percent unless the individual requests a higher rate (Section 305(a)). This prevents sudden, large reductions in monthly income.

Clearer Communication Standards: Social Security account statements will be provided by mail by default, ensuring people receive physical copies unless they specifically choose electronic delivery (Section 307(a)).

Updated Professional Representation Rates: The bill adjusts the dollar amounts for agreements related to professional representation by linking them to a calculation involving the national average wage index (Section 308(a)).

Tax Changes for High Earners: The bill applies a 12.4 percent Social Security tax to net investment income for those exceeding certain thresholds (Section 203).

Impact on High Earners: The bill repeals the limitation on the Social Security wage base, meaning higher earnings will be subject to taxation (Section s 201).

Legal Costs for Litigation: While individuals can sue for damages regarding invalidated account numbers, they must navigate a legal process that may involve costs, even though reasonable attorneys fees can be awarded (Section 304(a)(3)(B)).

Stringent Terms for Overpayment Recovery: While the 10 percent cap protects monthly income, the law still allows for the recovery of overpayments from individuals (Section 305(a)).