If it seems like there’s been an influx in bills targeting Social Security reform, it’s because it’s true.
Over the past six months, Democratic lawmakers have introduced—and reintroduced—multiple pieces of legislation aimed at protecting and expanding Social Security, as more reports forecast cutbacks to the benefits in 2033. At that point, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will only be able to pay out 77% of claimed benefits to retirees.
At the same time, Americans say they expect to use Social Security as a major source of retirement income, with some believing the benefit alone will fund their retirement. A 2025 report from Allianz Life found that 53% of workers surveyed believe Social Security will be a key contributor to their retirement income.
Younger generations, like Gen Z and Millennials, are less trusting of the benefit. Findings from Cerulli show that 58% of 401(k) participants in these groups plan to use their personal retirement accounts to fund their future lifestyle. Just a minimal number, at 5% for Gen Z and 16% of Millennials, believe Social Security will be a major contributor to their retirement.
Concerns over future agency funding, combined with the lack of trust in the Social Security Administration (SSA), have pushed Americans to call on Congress for further support and action. Workers have increasingly called on the federal government to focus on the system’s insolvency, with many asking Congress to make it their leading priority. A 2024 survey from the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies found that 62% of 10,000 respondents listed addressing Social Security’s funding shortfalls as their retirement security priority for policymakers.
Eighty-two percent of retirees in the survey also pressed policymakers to tackle the insolvency.
The push has led lawmakers to introduce legislation that would increase benefits for seniors in the future. However, little to no bipartisan support for each piece of legislation could cause hurdles for passage in the months ahead, as Republican lawmakers retain control of Congress chambers until the 2026 midterm elections.
Read on in the next few pages to learn more about the latest Social Security bills circling Congress.
NEXT: The Safeguarding American Families and Expanding (SAFE) Social Security Act