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S. 478 116th Congress Senate

Social Security Expansion Act

Official title: A bill to enhance Social Security benefits and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program.

Introduced: February 13, 2019 Introduced by: Bernard Sanders Independent · Vermont See on congress.gov
Social Welfare Accounting and auditingCongressional oversightDisability assistanceElementary and secondary education
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Employment taxesFinancial services and investmentsGovernment trust fundsHigher educationIncome tax ratesInflation and pricesRailroadsSelf-employedSocial security and elderly assistanceTransportation employees
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This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Feb 13, 2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Feb 13, 2019
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action February 13, 2019

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Social Security Expansion Act

This bill increases benefits and certain taxes related to Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance.

Changes to benefits include (1) increasing the primary insurance amount for certain beneficiaries; (2) revising the method of calculating cost-of-living adjustments; (3) establishing a new minimum benefit for certain low earners; and (4) allowing certain children of retired, deceased, or disabled workers to receive benefits until age 22 if they are a full-time students.

Changes to taxes include increasing the net investment income tax for certain taxpayers and extending payroll taxes on wages, salaries, and self-employment earnings to income above $250,000. Under current law, the maximum amount subject to the Social Security payroll tax is $132,900 for 2019.

The bill also combines the existing Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund into a single Social Security Trust Fund.

 Related & companion bills 2
  • S 1950 Strengthen Social Security by Taxing Dynastic Wealth Act
  • HR 1170 Social Security Expansion Act
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 3
All 3 Democratic 3
D
Booker, Cory A.
New Jersey · Feb 13, 2019
 D
Gillibrand, Kirsten E.
New York · Feb 13, 2019
 D
Merkley, Jeff
Oregon · Feb 13, 2019
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 478: Social Security Expansion Act. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-478/
MLA
"S. 478: Social Security Expansion Act." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-478/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 478, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-478/.
Markdown link
[S. 478: Social Security Expansion Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-478/)
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