Preserving Social Security and Medicare for Citizens Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Mace, Nancy [R-SC-1]
Introduced
Summary
Tightens eligibility for Social Security and Medicare. It would narrow who can qualify for Medicare under Section 1899C, bar monthly Title II Social Security payments to noncitizens who are not lawful permanent residents, and expand the FICA payroll tax by repealing specified exclusions in 26 U.S.C. 3121(b).
Show full summary
- Seniors and current Medicare enrollees: Would narrow the pool of people who can qualify under the amended Section 1899C, while a Special Application Rule would treat some individuals who were entitled or enrolled under prior law as already entitled or enrolled for the new rule's purposes.
- Noncitizen beneficiaries: Would prohibit monthly Social Security Title II payments to anyone who is not a U.S. citizen or national or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence, effective for benefits for months beginning after enactment.
- Workers and employers: Would broaden the FICA payroll tax base by repealing specific paragraphs of 26 U.S.C. 3121(b), making additional types of remuneration subject to FICA for taxable years beginning after December 31 of the calendar year in which the act is enacted.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Stop Social Security checks for some noncitizens
If enacted, this bill would bar payment of any monthly Social Security (Title II) benefit to people who are not U.S. citizens or nationals and who are not lawful permanent residents. The change would apply to monthly benefits for months beginning after the date of enactment. The rule would apply notwithstanding other law. If you are a noncitizen and not a lawful permanent resident who currently receives Title II benefits, you could lose that monthly income for months after the law takes effect.
Narrow Medicare eligibility for some people
If enacted, this bill would narrow who is covered under a specific Medicare eligibility rule by removing two listed categories and by limiting the subsection to only certain paragraphs. The amendments would take effect on enactment. The bill also includes a special application rule that treats people who had Medicare Part A or Part B on this bill's enactment date as if they were enrolled on the earlier Public Law 119-21 date, so some current enrollees are preserved. People who only qualified under the removed categories could lose eligibility under the changed rule.
Workers, employers face higher payroll taxes
If enacted, this bill would broaden what counts as wages for Social Security and Medicare taxes by striking three exclusions in 26 U.S.C. 3121(b). The change would apply to remuneration paid in taxable years beginning after December 31 of the calendar year in which this Act is enacted. If you get pay that used to be excluded, you could pay more in payroll tax. Employers could also face higher employer-side payroll tax costs on that pay.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Mace, Nancy [R-SC-1]
SC • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Burchett, Tim [R-TN-2]
TN • R
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov