Blue Collar Social Security Fairness Act
Sponsored By: Representative Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11]
Introduced
Summary
Allows certain workers in physically demanding jobs to start Social Security old-age benefits at age 60 instead of 62. It creates a points-based 'covered worker' category and adjusts the earnings test and early-retirement rules for that group.
Show full summary
- Workers in physically demanding jobs who are fully insured would be able to claim old-age benefits at age 60 rather than 62 if they meet the new points thresholds.
- Covered workers would not face the usual early-retirement reduction and would have a higher monthly earnings exemption in 2027 of $833.33.
- The Social Security Commissioner must publish a list of qualifying occupations within 1 year and update it every 3 years, and a published year's designation cannot be reversed.
*Would likely increase near-term Social Security outlays by expanding early access for a targeted group.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Earlier, unreduced Social Security at 60
If enacted, fully insured covered workers would be able to start Social Security old-age benefits at age 60 instead of age 62. The bill would stop the usual early-retirement actuarial reduction for those covered workers, preserving a higher monthly benefit. These benefit changes would apply to benefits paid for any month after 2026. For the transition period, the bill would set the retirement earnings test exempt amount at $833.33 1/3 per month ($10,000 per year) for taxable years ending after 2026 and before 2028.
Who qualifies as a covered worker
If enacted, the bill would create a points test to decide who is a "covered worker." You would get 1 base point for each calendar year you worked at least 8 months in a qualifying physically demanding job. Adjusted points would vary by your age on December 31 of the year: 0.5 (ages 18–34), 1 (35–44), 1.5 (45–54), and 2 (55+). You would be a covered worker with 20 or more base points or 15 or more adjusted points. The Social Security Commissioner must publish qualifying occupations within 1 year of enactment and update the list every 3 years. These rules would apply to benefits paid for any month after 2026.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11]
MI • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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