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S4184119th CongressWALLET

Senior Citizens’ Freedom to Work Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Scott, Rick [R-FL]

Introduced

Summary

Ending the retirement earnings test so retirees can work without Social Security benefit reductions. It would also reorganize related Social Security and Supplemental Security Income rules and repeal Railroad Retirement work deductions.

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  • Retirees and older workers: Would stop reductions or withholding of Social Security retirement benefits based on earnings from work, letting beneficiaries keep full benefits while they continue to earn income.
  • People on Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Redefines "wages" for SSI, adds explicit rules for pay from U.S. and overseas military service, and protects certain retirement payments from being counted as wages.
  • Railroad Retirement participants: Eliminates deductions for work under the Railroad Retirement Program by striking the relevant provision and adjusting related sections.
  • Scope and timing: The changes would apply prospectively to taxable years beginning after the date of enactment.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

No Social Security cuts when working

If enacted, this bill would repeal the retirement earnings test that reduced or withheld Social Security retirement benefits because of work. If enacted, retirees who work would not have their Social Security retirement benefits reduced for earned income. The change would apply to taxable years beginning after the date of enactment. The exact dollar effect would depend on how much you earn and your benefit amount.

Changes to Supplemental Security Income wages

If enacted, the bill would change what counts as wages for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) calculations. Some rules would make more pay count as wages for SSI purposes, which could reduce SSI benefits for some recipients. At the same time, certain employer retirement payments and some military pay rules would be excluded from wages, which could help other SSI recipients. These changes would apply to taxable years beginning after the date of enactment.

Railroad Retirement Work Deductions Removed

If enacted, Railroad Retirement beneficiaries who work would no longer have the statutory work deductions that reduce their Railroad Retirement benefits. The bill would strike the relevant deduction provisions and make matching edits across the Railroad Retirement Act. The change would apply to taxable years beginning after the date of enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Scott, Rick [R-FL]

FL • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Tuberville, Tommy [R-AL]

    AL • R

    Sponsored 3/24/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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