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In August 2025, lawmakers introduced the Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act to strengthen the Social Security program and make it last longer. One major change in the bill is switching to a different measure of inflation called the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E). This better reflects the spending habits of seniors, especially on things like health care. The bill also aims to improve fairness by lifting the cap on how much of a person’s income is taxed for Social Security, meaning high earners would pay more. Together, these changes could extend the program’s ability to pay full benefits from the year 2035 to 2054, giving it 19 extra years of solvency. Additionally, the bill ensures that benefit increases won’t impact eligibility for programs like Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income, which helps protect low-income seniors.
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🍃 How a New Bill Could Add 19 Years to Social Security’s Future: What You Need to Know
OVERVIEW
In August 2025, lawmakers introduced the Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act—a significant legislative step aimed at safeguarding the future of Social Security for millions of Americans. The bill focuses on improving fairness within the system while addressing one of the biggest threats looming over retirees: the Social Security trust fund’s projected shortfall in 2035. If passed, the bill could extend the program’s ability to pay full benefits all the way to 2054—a crucial 19-year buffer that could help ensure today’s younger workers and current retirees alike can continue to rely on this vital program.
At the heart of the bill are two powerful changes. First, it would replace the current standard inflation measure used to calculate cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) with the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), which better reflects how seniors actually spend their money—particularly on health care and housing. Second, it proposes lifting the income cap on earnings subject to the Social Security payroll tax, so that high-income earners contribute more fairly into the system. Together, these reforms modernize how Social Security operates, protect vulnerable seniors, and spread funding responsibilities more equitably.
DETAILED EXPLANATION
The CPI-E Adjustment is one of the bill’s most senior-friendly reforms. Currently, Social Security benefits use the standard CPI-W (Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers) to calculate annual COLAs. However, the CPI-W often underrepresents the real spending patterns of older adults, whose budgets are more heavily influenced by rising health care costs and prescription drug prices. By switching to the CPI-E, retirees could see their benefits more accurately reflect their true cost of living—helping them keep up with inflation more effectively over time.
Another standout feature of the Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act is the proposal to lift the cap on taxable income. As of now, only the first $168,600 of a person’s annual income is subject to the Social Security payroll tax. That means someone earning $180,000 a year pays the same tax as someone earning millions. The new bill would change that by reapplying the payroll tax to wages above $250,000 (with a “donut hole” in between), ensuring that wealthier Americans contribute their fair share to maintain benefits for everyone.
According to projections from the Social Security Administration, these changes could be incredibly impactful. Without reform, the program is expected to only be able to pay about 80% of promised benefits by 2035. But with the proposed reforms in place? Full payment capabilities could be extended to 2054—giving nearly two decades more of financial protection to retirees and disabled workers who depend on Social Security as their main or only source of income.
It’s also worth noting the care lawmakers took to shield the most vulnerable. The bill includes provisions that prevent benefit increases—triggered by the CPI-E Adjustment—from affecting eligibility for means-tested programs such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). This ensures that the new adjustments don’t unintentionally disqualify low-income seniors from vital assistance. As a result, the proposed act is not just about preserving Social Security—it’s also about preserving dignity and security for those most in need.
ACTIONABLE STEPS
Here are four things you can do right now to understand and prepare for the potential changes under the Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act:
– Check Your Social Security Statement: Review your estimated benefits and earnings history by logging into your SSA.gov account. Understanding where you stand is the first step in proactive retirement planning.
– Stay Informed About Legislative Updates: Follow developments surrounding the bill so you know what to expect. Changes like the CPI-E Adjustment could alter your future benefits—especially if you’re near or in retirement.
– Talk to a Financial Advisor: Discuss how the proposed changes could impact your long-term retirement planning. Lifting the income cap and adjusting COLAs may influence your savings or claiming strategies.
– Advocate for the Changes You Support: Reach out to your local representatives and share your opinion. Laws that affect Social Security shape the financial stability of millions—your voice matters.
CONCLUSION
The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act is more than just policy—it’s a promise to future generations of retirees that the government is taking steps to protect what’s arguably the most essential financial safety net in American history. With innovations like the CPI-E inflation measure and a more equitable tax structure, this bill could make a real difference in bridging the gap between rising costs and reliable benefits.
While no single bill can solve every issue all at once, these reforms provide a strong foundation for strengthening Social Security in the decades to come. Now more than ever, it’s important to stay informed, get involved, and take actionable steps to secure your financial future.
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