Recent tax reform is helping millions of seniors to keep more money in their pockets, thanks to a new senior tax deduction that is available through the 2028 tax year.
Now, some Democrats in Congress want to boost senior coffers even more by temporarily hiking the size of monthly Social Security checks.
A group of Democratic senators have introduced the Social Security Emergency Inflation Relief Act. It includes a temporary hike to both Social Security and Veterans Affairs benefits that would last six months.
The legislation is intended to help seniors cope with “quickly-rising costs,” according to a press release posted on the official website of Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts.
In the press release, Warren takes aim at President Donald Trump’s tariff policy:
“The cost of everything from coffee to beef to health care is up, in large part due [to] Trump’s chaotic tariffs, and Democrats are fighting to deliver some financial relief and lower costs for Americans. This new legislation to expand Social Security is an emergency lifeline for seniors struggling to afford Trump’s tariffs and rising inflation.”
So, if the bill becomes law, how much can you expect your Social Security or Veterans Affairs benefit check to grow? The senators are proposing a hike of $200 a month until July 2026.
According to Warren’s website, those who would be eligible for the benefit increase include:
- All Title II Social Security beneficiaries (which includes retirement, survivor and disability beneficiaries)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries
- Railroad Retirement beneficiaries
- Veteran disability compensation recipients
- Veteran pension benefit annuitants
Warren’s office says that half of all American seniors rely on Social Security for half of their income. In addition, Social Security is the sole source of income for about one-quarter of seniors.
Of course, it’s important to note that this bill has a long way to go before it possibly becomes law. The legislation was introduced and referred to the Senate Finance Committee at the end of October, but it hasn’t moved since. It would have to pass the committee, the full Senate and the House and Trump would have to sign it into law before bigger checks could become a reality.
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