Our nation’s social security program remains one of the greatest legacies of the 20th century’s New Deal era. With this progressive step, we resolved to protect the most vulnerable among us and to ensure safe and stable futures for our citizens. 

 

In Congress, we will fight to expand social security benefits to enable widows and widowers to receive their deceased spouse’s benefits for up to two years following their death. Social security is the backbone of this country. Our social security policy will protect seniors and preserve their dignity during their most vulnerable time. 

 

We cannot turn our backs on the roughly 70 million Americans who worked hard throughout their lives and now rely on social security. Our seniors deserve our support in their moment of grief when all stability disappears. 

 

By allowing widows and widowers to receive their deceased spouse’s benefits for up to two years following their death, we will provide a much-needed adjustment period for seniors. This critical support could prevent situations in which retirees lose their homes due to the unexpected loss of their deceased spouse’s benefits. 

 

Going from two social security benefits to one overnight while experiencing the painful loss of a partner has a devastating impact on our seniors. Without having to deal with the financial stress of losing a loved one, seniors can grieve, they can plan, they can rebuild their lives and adjust to a new financial reality. 

 

Americans changed the course of history when they created the social security system, making a commitment to protect seniors and the most vulnerable among us. We refuse to abandon that commitment and reverse our history.