Improving Social Security For Those Who Have Lost A Spouse
Friday July 19, 2002
The loss of a spouse can be one of the most difficult times in one's life. For many seniors, it can be even more stressful because of the loss of income, particularly Social Security income. Under current law, widows and widowers can expect a substantial loss of Social Security income upon the death of a spouse.
I want to see Social Security strengthened so that surviving spouses are not endangered by poverty. To that end, I recently co-sponsored The Social Security Widow's Benefit Guarantee Act,
Under current law, spouses are effectively limited to only 50-67% of what the couple had been receiving in Social Security income. As a result, millions of seniors end up in poverty when a spouse dies.
To assure that the increased benefits are concentrated on those with the greatest need, the increase would be subject to a dollar cap of $1,000 a month, which would be indexed for inflation in 2003 and in later years.
Statistically, it's clear that women are disproportionately affected by the loss of Social Security income because they often outlive their husbands. According to the Social Security Administration, women constitute the majority – 60% – of Social Security beneficiaries over age 65 and 72% of beneficiaries over age 85. Because women, on average, earn less than men, a significant number count on Social Security for 90% or more of their income.
While Social Security has been very successful in helping seniors stay out of poverty, the poverty rate for widows stands at 15%, almost double the national average. It is estimated that this change in the law would help 5 million widows and widowers, one million of whom are currently living in poverty.
Improving Social Security remains one of my top priorities in the House of Representatives. In fact, I am pleased that the House recently passed another measure I co-sponsored -- The Social Security Enhancement for Women Act -- which will improve benefits for some 122,000 women who have disabilities, are divorced, and whose spouse may have retired early and then died.
This recently-passed measure was a first step. Now we need to turn our attention to helping widows and widowers who may have trouble maintaining their standard of living upon the death of a spouse.
Social Security has been one of our most successful programs. For many seniors, Social Security is a lifeline. It's time to make sure that this lifeline stays strong, particularly after a spouse has died and the need for financial security may be even greater.
