Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon Introduces Legislation to Expand Social Security Benefits for Surviving Spouses
U.S. Representative Mary Gay Scanlon has introduced the Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment (SWIFT) Act, aimed at increasing Social Security benefits for over one million surviving spouses and divorced spouses. The proposed legislation seeks to eliminate restrictions on survivor benefits, allowing widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses with disabilities to receive full benefits regardless of age. Additionally, the bill aims to ease limits that permanently reduce benefits when a deceased spouse claimed Social Security before reaching full retirement age. Scanlon emphasized the importance of Social Security as a lifeline for retired, disabled, and low-income workers, noting that current benefit caps and legal restrictions create obstacles for beneficiaries, particularly women, during vulnerable periods in their lives. 
