This bill increases the one-time lump sum death payment that Social Security provides to families when a worker dies, raising it from its current amount to $2,900 starting January 1, 2026. The legislation also automatically adjusts this payment each year to keep pace with inflation, using the Consumer Price Index to determine increases rounded to the nearest $10. The change affects all families who receive survivor benefits after a Social Security-covered worker passes away. No new funding is required—the changes are implemented within the existing Social Security program's budget. The bill was introduced in December 2025 by a bipartisan group of senators led by Mr. Welch and is currently under review by the Senate Finance Committee.
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