Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act

Bigger death payment for survivors

This bill would change the Social Security lump-sum death payment for people who die on or after January 1, 2026. Only survivors or the estate of a deceased insured person who qualify under section 202(i) of the Social Security Act would be eligible for the one-time payment. For deaths in calendar year 2026, the payment would be $2,900. For deaths in calendar years after 2026, the payment would equal $2,900 increased by the percent change in the CPI-W from October 2025 through October of the year before the death, and the result would be rounded to the nearest $10.