109th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 440
To amend title II of the Social Security Act to provide for individual
security accounts funded by employee and employer Social Security payroll
deductions, to extend the solvency of the old-age, survivors, and disability
insurance program, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 1, 2005
Mr. KOLBE (for himself and Mr. BOYD) introduced the following bill; which
was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee
on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each
case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction
of the committee concerned
A BILL
To amend title II of the Social Security Act to provide for individual
security accounts funded by employee and employer Social Security payroll
deductions, to extend the solvency of the old-age, survivors, and disability
insurance program, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE AND TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title- This Act may be cited as the `Bipartisan Retirement Security
Act of 2005'.
(b) Table of Contents- The table of contents is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title and table of contents.
Sec. 2. Individual security accounts.
Sec. 3. Minimum social security benefit.
Sec. 4. Reduction in the amount of certain transfers to medicare trust fund.
Sec. 5. Revised formula for average indexed monthly earnings.
Sec. 6. Actuarial adjustment for retirement.
Sec. 7. Corrections for CPI overstatement in cost-of-living indexation.
Sec. 8. Adjustments to bend points in determining primary insurance amounts.
Sec. 9. Adjustment to benefit formula factors.
Sec. 10. Modification to PIA formula to reflect changes to life expectancy.
Sec. 11. Treatment of disabled beneficiaries.
Sec. 12. Maintenance of benefit and contribution base.
Sec. 13. Acceleration of increase in social security eligibility age.
Sec. 14. Mechanism for remedying unforeseen deterioration in social security
solvency.
Sec. 15. Increase in widow's and widower's insurance benefits.
Sec. 16. Limitation on benefits of married couple to level of maximum worker
benefits.
SEC. 2. INDIVIDUAL SECURITY ACCOUNTS.
(a) Establishment and Maintenance of Individual Security Accounts-
(1) IN GENERAL- Title II of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.)
is amended--
(A) by inserting before section 201 the following:
`Part A--Insurance Benefits'; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
`Part B--Individual Security System
`Subpart 1--Individual Security Accounts
`FEDERALLY-ADMINISTERED INDIVIDUAL SECURITY ACCOUNT
`SEC. 251. (a) Establishment-
`(1) IN GENERAL- Within 30 days after crediting the first contribution under
subsection (b) with respect to an eligible individual, the Commissioner
of Social Security shall establish an individual security account for such
individual in the Individual Security Fund. Each account shall be identified
to its account holder by means of the account holder's social security account
number.
`(2) ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUAL- For purposes of this part, the term `eligible
individual' means any individual born after December 31, 1949.
`(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer from the Federal
Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, for crediting by the Commissioner
of Social Security to the individual security account of an eligible individual,
an amount equal to the sum of any amount received by such Secretary on behalf
of such individual under section 3101(a)(2) or 1401(a)(2) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986.
`(2) OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS- For provisions relating to additional contributions
credited to individual security accounts, see sections 54(d) and 6402(l)
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
`(c) Crediting Requirements- Except as otherwise provided in section 252,
contributions under subsection (b) on behalf of an eligible individual shall
be credited--
`(1) to the individual security account established for such individual
under subsection (a); and
`(2) in accordance with the allocation in effect with respect to such individual
under subsection (d).
`(d) Allocation and Other Designations-
`(1) IN GENERAL- The Commissioner of Social Security shall prescribe regulations
in accordance with which any eligible individual who is employed or self-employed
may designate--
`(A) in the event that 2 or more investment options are available in the
Individual Security Fund--
`(i) the option or options to which such individual wishes to have such
individual's contributions under subsection (b) credited; and
`(ii) if such individual designates more than 1 option under clause
(i), how such individual wishes for those contributions to be allocated;
and
`(B) the amount of wages or self-employment income such individual wishes
to designate for purposes of section 3101(a)(2)(C) or 1401(a)(2)(C) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as applicable), if any.
`(2) DEFAULT ALLOCATION- In the absence of a required designation under
paragraph (1)(A), contributions on behalf of the individual involved shall
be allocated in such manner as the Commissioner of Social Security shall
prescribe, taking into account the competing objectives of maximizing returns
on investments and minimizing the risk involved with such investments.
`(3) FORM OF DESIGNATION- Any designation under paragraph (1) shall be made
in such manner and at such intervals as the Commissioner of Social Security
may prescribe in order to ensure ease of administration and to avoid creating
an undue burden on employers.
`(4) SPECIAL RULE FOR 2007- Not later than December 31, 2007, any eligible
individual who is employed or self-employed as of such date shall execute
all designations required under paragraph (1).
`(e) Periodic Statements to Account Holder-
`(1) IN GENERAL- The Individual Security Fund Board shall prescribe regulations
under which each individual for whom an individual security account is maintained
under this section shall be furnished with--
`(A) a periodic statement relating to the individual's account, including,
for any reporting period as of the end of which the individual's account
balance is at least equal to the minimum balance amount (within the meaning
of section 252), clear and conspicuous notice to that effect;
`(B) a summary description of any investment options or other choices
which may be available to such individual under this section or under
section 252 (as applicable); and
`(C) any forms and information necessary to make a designation under subsection
(d) or section 252 (as applicable).
`(2) INFORMED DECISIONMAKING- All information, materials, and other matter
furnished under this subsection shall be furnished to the account holder
at such times and in such manner as the Board considers appropriate in order
to permit informed decisionmaking.
`PRIVATELY-ADMINISTERED INDIVIDUAL SECURITY ACCOUNT
`SEC. 252. (a) Definitions- For purposes of this part--
`(1) MINIMUM DEPOSIT AMOUNT-
`(A) IN GENERAL- The term `minimum deposit amount' means an amount equal
to $7,500, as adjusted under subparagraph (B).
`(B) ADJUSTMENT- The Secretary of the Treasury shall adjust annually (effective
for periods beginning after December 2006) the dollar amount set forth
in subparagraph (A) under procedures providing for adjustments in the
same manner and to the same extent as adjustments are provided for under
the procedures used to adjust benefit amounts under section 215(i)(2)(A),
except that any amount so adjusted that is not a multiple of $10 shall
be rounded to the nearest multiple of $10.
`(2) FEDERALLY-ADMINISTERED INDIVIDUAL SECURITY ACCOUNT- The term `Federally-administered
individual security account' means an individual security account maintained,
in accordance with applicable provisions of this part, in the Individual
Security Fund.
`(3) PRIVATELY-ADMINISTERED INDIVIDUAL SECURITY ACCOUNT- The term `privately-administered
individual security account' means an individual security account maintained,
in accordance with applicable provisions of this part, by a certified institution.
`(4) CERTIFIED INSTITUTION- The term `certified institution' refers to an
investment firm, credit union, insurance company, or other certified institution
under subpart 3.
`(b) Option to Designate a Privately-Administered Individual Security Account-
`(1) IN GENERAL- Under regulations prescribed by the Individual Security
Fund Board, whenever the balance in an individual's Federally-administered
individual security account is at least equal to the minimum deposit amount,
such individual shall be eligible to designate a privately-administered
individual security account (established and maintained on such individual's
behalf) to serve as such individual's individual security account under
this part, in lieu of such individual's Federally-administered individual
security account.
`(2) EFFECT OF DESIGNATION- If an individual makes a designation under paragraph
(1)--
`(A) the entire balance in the individual's Federally-administered individual
security account shall be promptly transferred to the privately-administered
individual security account specified by such individual in such designation;
and
`(B) that privately-administered individual security account shall, for
all purposes, be treated as the electing individual's individual security
account, subject to paragraph (4).
`(3) REGULATORY MANAGEMENT OF PRIVATE INVESTMENT- A designation under this
subsection shall not be effective unless it is made in such time, form,
and manner as the Individual Security Fund Board prescribes. The Individual
Security Fund Board shall--
`(A) maintain individual account records, and
`(B) combine account transactions with certified institutions maintaining
privately-administered individual security accounts in aggregate amounts,
in the same manner as is applicable with respect to records and account
transactions with respect to Federally administered individual security
accounts.
`(4) SUBSEQUENT DESIGNATIONS- The Individual Security Fund Board shall provide
by regulation opportunity for subsequent designation, from time to time,
of another individual security account in lieu of the account previously
designated under this section, subject to the following:
`(A) OPTIONS AVAILABLE- The account designated under this paragraph may
be either within--
`(i) another certified institution, subject to subparagraph (B); or
`(ii) the Individual Security Fund.
`(B) MINIMUM BALANCE- In order to make a designation referred to in subparagraph
(A)(i), the balance in the individual's individual security account must
be at least equal to the minimum deposit amount. No minimum balance requirement
under this subparagraph shall apply in the case of a designation referred
to in subparagraph (A)(ii).
`(C) ONLY 1 ACCOUNT PERMITTED AT ANY TIME- An individual may not, at any
time, concurrently maintain--
`(i) a privately-administered individual security account with each
of 2 or more certified institutions; or
`(ii) a privately-administered and a Federally-administered individual
security account.
`(D) EFFECT- A designation under this paragraph has (with respect to the
individual's respective accounts, before and after such designation) the
same effect as results following a designation under paragraph (2) (with
respect to the Federally-administered and privately-administered accounts
involved).
`DISTRIBUTIONS FROM INDIVIDUAL SECURITY ACCOUNTS
`SEC. 253. (a) Date of Earliest Distribution- Except as provided in subsection
(c), distributions may not be made from the Federally-administered or privately-administered
individual security account of an eligible individual (as the case may be)
before the earlier of--
`(1) the date the eligible individual attains normal retirement age, as
determined under section 216 (or early retirement age, as so determined,
if elected by such individual), or
`(2) the date on which funds in the eligible individual's account are sufficient
to provide a monthly payment over the life expectancy of the eligible individual
(determined under reasonable actuarial assumptions) which, when added to
the eligible individual's monthly benefit under part A (if any), is at least
equal to an amount equal to 1/12 of 185 percent of the poverty line (as
defined in section 673(2) of the Community Services Block Grant Act (42
U.S.C. 9902(2)) as in effect on such date for an individual) and adjusted
annually thereafter by the CPI increase percentage determined under section
215(i).
`(b) Forms of Distribution-
`(1) REQUIRED MONTHLY PAYMENTS- Except as provided in paragraph (2), beginning
as of the date distributions begin to be made in accordance with subsection
(a), the balance in the individual security account available to provide
monthly payments not in excess of the amount described in subsection (a)(2)
shall be paid, as elected by the account holder (in such form and manner
as shall be prescribed in regulations of the Individual Security Fund Board
or the Securities and Exchange Commission, as applicable), by means of the
purchase of annuities or equal monthly payments over the life expectancy
of the eligible individual (determined under reasonable actuarial assumptions)
in accordance with requirements (which shall be provided in regulations
of the Board or Commission, as applicable) similar to the requirements applicable
to payments of benefits under subchapter III of chapter 84 of title 5, United
States Code.
`(2) PAYMENT OF EXCESS FUNDS- To the extent funds remain in an eligible
individual's Federally-administered or privately-administered individual
security account (as the case may be) after the application of paragraph
(1) and to the extent not inconsistent with the provisions of subchapter
III of chapter 84 of title 5, United States Code, such funds shall be payable
to the eligible individual in such manner and in such amounts as determined
by the eligible individual.
`(c) Distribution in the Event of Death Before the Date of Initial Distribution-
If the eligible individual dies before the date determined under subsection
(a), the balance in such individual's individual security account shall be
distributed to the individual's heirs under rules established by the Individual
Security Fund Board or the Securities and Exchange Commission, as applicable.
`Subpart 2--Individual Security Fund; Individual Security Fund Board
`INDIVIDUAL SECURITY FUND
`SEC. 261. There shall be established and maintained in the Treasury of the
United States an Individual Security Fund in the same manner as the Thrift
Savings Fund under sections 8437 (excluding paragraphs (4) and (5) of subsection
(c) thereof), 8438, and 8439 of title 5, United States Code.
`INDIVIDUAL SECURITY FUND BOARD
`SEC. 262. (a) Establishment- There shall be established and maintained in
the Social Security Administration an Individual Security Fund Board in the
same manner as the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board under subchapter
VII of chapter 84 of title 5, United States Code.
`(b) Specific Investment and Reporting Duties- The Individual Security Fund
Board shall manage and report on the activities of the Individual Security
Fund and on Federally-administered individual security accounts in the same
manner as the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board manages and reports
on the Thrift Savings Fund and the individual accounts of such Fund under
subchapter VII of chapter 84 of title 5, United States Code.
`(c) Budgetary Treatment of Individual Security Fund and Accounts- The receipts
and disbursements of the Individual Security Fund and any accounts within
such Fund shall not be included in the totals of the budget of the United
States Government as submitted by the President or of the congressional budget
and shall be exempt from any general budget limitation imposed by statute
on expenditures and net lending (budget outlays) of the United States Government.
`(d) Executive Director- The Board shall appoint an Executive Director, without
regard to the provisions of law governing appointments in the competitive
service. The Executive Director shall receive the same compensation, and shall
have, with respect to the Individual Security Fund and accounts within such
Fund, the same duties and responsibilities, as does the Executive Director
(appointed under section 8474(a) of title 5, United States Code) with respect
to the Thrift Savings Fund and accounts within such Fund.
`Subpart 3--Certified Institutions
`CERTIFICATION OF INSTITUTIONS BY SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
`SEC. 271. (a) In General- For purposes of this part, any institution that
is engaged, in a fiduciary capacity, in the business of maintaining accounts
for individuals for purposes of investment may apply to the Securities and
Exchange Commission (in such form and manner as the Commission shall by regulation
require) for certification under this subpart.
`(b) Review Requirements- In reviewing any application for certification under
this subpart and determining whether to approve the application for certification,
the Commission shall consider the following factors:
`(1) The financial history and condition of the institution.
`(2) The adequacy of the institution's capital structure.
`(3) The future earnings prospects of the institution.
`(4) The general character and fitness of the management of the institution.
`(5) The convenience and needs of individuals who are account holders with
respect to personal retirement accounts for which the institution is to
serve as trustee.
`(6) Whether the institution's corporate powers are consistent with the
purposes of this part.
`(7) The institution's disclosure policies, including with respect to its
administrative fees, investment policies, and investment activities.
`(8) The appropriateness of--
`(A) the fund or funds that such institution proposes to offer for purposes
of this part, and
`(B) the criteria by which such institution will make future decisions
regarding the selection of new funds or the making of any other modifications
in the investment options offered by such institution for purposes of
this part, as determined based on guidelines established by the Commission
for purposes of this paragraph.
`(c) Notice of Denial of Application for Certification- If the Commission
votes to deny any application for certification by any institution, the Commission
shall promptly notify the institution of the denial of such application, giving
specific reasons in writing for the Commission's determination with reference
to the factors described in subsection (b).
`(d) Nondelegation Requirement- The authority of the Commission to make any
determination to deny any application under this section may not be delegated
by the Commission.
`REVOCATION OF CERTIFICATION
`SEC. 272. (a) In General- The Securities and Exchange Commission shall prescribe
regulations in accordance with which the certified status of an institution
may be voluntarily or involuntarily revoked.
`(b) Judicial Review- Any party to any involuntary revocation proceeding under
this section to which an institution is a party may obtain a review of any
order served pursuant to this section by the filing in the court of appeals
of the United States for the circuit in which the home office of the institution
is located, or in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia
Circuit, within 30 days after the date of service of such order, a written
petition praying that the order of the Commission be modified, terminated,
or set aside. A copy of such petition shall be forthwith transmitted by the
clerk of the court to the Commission, and thereupon the Commission shall file
in the court the record in the proceeding, as provided in section 2112 of
title 28, United States Code. Upon the filing of such petition, such court
shall have jurisdiction, which upon the filing of the record shall be exclusive,
to affirm, modify, terminate, or set aside, in whole or in part, the order
of the Commission. Review of such proceedings shall be had as provided in
chapter 7 of title 5, United States Code. The judgment and decree of the court
shall be final, except that the judgment and decree shall be subject to review
by the Supreme Court upon certiorari, as provided in section 1254 of title
28, United States Code. The commencement of proceedings for judicial review
under this subsection shall not, unless specifically ordered by the court,
operate as a stay of any order issued by the Commission.
`FIDUCIARY DUTIES
`SEC. 273. (a) In General- In the case of a privately-administered individual
security account which does not form part of an individual account plan covered
under part 4 of subtitle B of title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security
Act of 1974, rules similar to the rules of such part 4 applicable to individual
account plans covered under such part 4 shall apply with respect to a privately-administered
individual security account and the terms of any arrangement under which such
account is maintained.
`(b) General Requirements- In applying under subsection (a) the rules of part
4 of subtitle B of title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
of 1974 in the case of a privately-administered individual security account,
references in such part to the Secretary of Labor shall be deemed to be references
to the Securities and Exchange Commission, references in such part to a participants
or beneficiary in connection with an individual account plan covered under
such part shall be deemed to be references to the account holder with respect
to the privately-administered individual security account, and references
in such part to the plan administrator or plan sponsor in connection with
an individual account plan covered under such part shall be deemed to be references
to the trustee of the privately-administered individual security account.
`(c) Limitation on Liability- Any account holder who issues an instruction
to the trustee of the account directing an investment of funds held in the
account shall sign an acknowledgement prescribed by the Securities and Exchange
Commission which states that the account holder understands that an investment
of any amount in the account is made at the account holder's risk, that the
account holder is not protected by the Government or by the trustee against
any loss on such investment, and that a return on such investment is not guaranteed
by the Government or by the trustee. Notwithstanding the preceding provisions
of this section and any other provision of Federal or State law, the trustee
of a privately-administered individual security account shall not be liable
for losses suffered in connection with any investment of assets held in the
account unless it is shown by clear and convincing evidence that the trustee
did not act in the manner in which a reasonable trustee would act under the
circumstances then prevailing in evaluating the risk and reward properties
of the investment option involved.
`Subpart 4--Enforcement
`CAUSE OF ACTION
`SEC. 281. The account holder with respect to a privately-administered individual
security account who is adversely affected by an act or practice of any party
(other than the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Social Security Administration,
the Department of the Treasury, or any officer or employee of any of the foregoing)
in violation of any provision of this part, may bring an action--
`(1) to enjoin such act or practice, or
`(2) to obtain other appropriate equitable relief (A) to redress such violation
or (B) to enforce such provision.
`JURISDICTION AND VENUE
`SEC. 282. Civil actions under this subpart may be brought in the district
courts of the United States in the district where the privately-administered
individual security account is administered, where the violation took place,
or where a defendant resides or may be found, and process may be served in
any district where a defendant resides or may be found. The district courts
of the United State shall have jurisdiction, without regard to the amount
in controversy or the citizenship of the parties, to grant the relief provided
for in section 281 in any action.
`RIGHT OF SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION TO INTERVENE
`SEC. 283. A copy of the complaint or notice of appeal in any action under
this subpart shall be served upon the Securities and Exchange Commission by
certified mail. The Commission shall each have the right to intervene in any
action.
`AWARDS OF COSTS AND EXPENSES
`SEC. 284. In any action brought under this subpart, the court in its discretion
may award all or a portion of the costs and expenses incurred in connection
with such action, including reasonable attorney's fees, to any party who prevails
or substantially prevails in such action.
`LIMITATION ON ACTIONS
`SEC. 285. (a) In General- Except as provided in subsection (c), an action
under this subpart may not be brought after the later of--
`(1) 6 years after the date on which the cause of action arose, or
`(2) 3 years after the applicable date specified in subsection (b).
`(b) Applicable Date- The applicable date specified in this subsection is
the earliest date on which the plaintiff acquired or should have acquired
actual knowledge of the existence of such cause of action.
`(c) Cases of Fraud or Concealment- In the case of fraud or concealment, the
period described in subsection (a)(2) shall be extended to 6 years after the
applicable date specified in subsection (b).
`PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO TIMELY PROVIDE REQUIRED INFORMATION
`SEC. 286. The Securities and Exchange Commission may assess a penalty, payable
to it, against any person who fails to provide any notice or other material
information required under this part or any regulations prescribed under this
part within the applicable time limit specified therein. Such penalty shall
not exceed $1,000 for each day for which such failure continues.
`ACTIONS BY SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
`SEC. 287. If any person is assessed under this subpart and fails to pay the
assessment when due, or any person otherwise fails to meet any requirement
of this part, the Securities and Exchange Commission may bring a civil action
in any district court of the United States within the jurisdiction of which
such person's assets are located or in which such person resides or is found
for the recovery of the amount of the assessment or for appropriate equitable
relief to redress the violation or enforce the provisions of this part, and
process may be served in any other district. The district courts of the United
States shall have jurisdiction over actions brought under this section by
the Commission without regard to the amount in controversy.
`CRIMINAL PENALTY FOR FRAUD OR INTENTIONAL MISREPRESENTATION IN CONNECTION
WITH INVESTMENT OPTIONS
`SEC. 288. Any person who makes, or causes to be made, a statement or representation
of a material fact for use in selecting an investment option that the person
knows or should know is false or misleading or knows or should know omits
a material fact or makes such a statement with knowing disregard for the truth
shall upon conviction be fined not more than $500,000 or imprisoned for not
more than 5 years, or both.'.
(2) AUTHORIZATION FOR FUNDING OF INITIAL COSTS- There are authorized to
be appropriated to the Individual Security Fund Board, for each of fiscal
years 2006 and 2007, such sums as may be necessary to pay for the expenses
incurred during such fiscal year in the administration of part B of title
II of the Social Security Act during such fiscal year.
(b) Modification of FICA Rates-
(1) EMPLOYEES- Section 3101(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating
to tax on employees) is amended to read as follows:
`(a) Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance-
`(A) INDIVIDUALS COVERED UNDER PART A OF TITLE II OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY
ACT- In addition to other taxes, there is hereby imposed on the income
of every individual who is not a part B eligible individual a tax equal
to 6.2 percent of the wages received by him with respect to employment.
`(B) INDIVIDUALS COVERED UNDER PART B OF TITLE II OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY
ACT-
`(i) IN GENERAL- In addition to other taxes, there is hereby imposed
on the income of every part B eligible individual a tax equal to the
applicable percentage of the wages received by such individual with
respect to employment.
`(ii) APPLICABLE PERCENTAGE- For purposes of clause (i), the term `applicable
percentage' means the excess of 6.2 percent, over
`(I) 3 percent, in the case of the first $10,000 of such wages received
in the calendar year, and
`(II) 2 percent, in the case of any additional such wages received
in the calendar year.
`(2) CONTRIBUTION OF OASDI TAX REDUCTION TO INDIVIDUAL SECURITY ACCOUNTS-
In addition to other taxes, there is hereby imposed on the income of every
part B eligible individual for the calendar year an individual security
account contribution equal to the sum of--
`(A) 3 percent of so much of the wages as does not exceed the first $10,000
received in such calendar year by such individual with respect to employment,
`(B) 2 percent of the excess of--
`(ii) the wages taken into account under subparagraph (A), plus
`(C) so much of such wages (not to exceed $5,000) as is designated by
the individual in the same manner as described in section 251(d) of the
Social Security Act.
`(3) INFLATION ADJUSTMENTS-
`(A) IN GENERAL- In the case of any calendar year beginning after 2006,
the $10,000 amount in paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be increased by an
amount equal to--
`(i) such dollar amount, multiplied by
`(ii) the wage increase percentage (if any) for such year.
`(B) DESIGNATED CONTRIBUTIONS- In the case of any calendar year beginning
after 2006, the $5,000 amount in paragraph (2)(C) shall be increased by
an amount equal to--
`(i) such dollar amount, multiplied by
`(ii) the percentage increase (if any) for such year determined under
section 215(i) of the Social Security Act.
`(C) ROUNDING- If any dollar amount after being increased under subparagraph
(A) or (B) is not a multiple of $10, such dollar amount shall be rounded
to the nearest multiple of $10.
`(4) DEFINITIONS- For purposes of this subsection--
`(A) WAGES- The term `wages' shall have the meaning given to such term
by section 3121(a).
`(B) EMPLOYMENT- The term `employment' shall have the meaning given to
such term by section 3121(b).
`(C) WAGE INCREASE PERCENTAGE- The term `wage increase percentage', with
respect to a calendar year, means the percentage increase which would
become effective under section 215(i)(2) of the Social Security Act for
such year if such increase were determined as described in section 215(i)(5)(A)(i)
of such Act.'.
(2) SELF-EMPLOYED- Section 1401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
(relating to tax on self-employment income) is amended to read as follows:
`(a) Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance-
`(A) INDIVIDUALS COVERED UNDER PART A OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT- In addition
to other taxes, there shall be imposed for each taxable year, on the self-employment
income of every individual who is not a part B eligible individual for
the calendar year ending with or during such taxable year, a tax equal
to 12.40 percent of the amount of the self-employment income for such
taxable year.
`(B) INDIVIDUALS COVERED UNDER PART B OF TITLE II OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY
ACT-
`(i) IN GENERAL- In addition to other taxes, there is hereby imposed
for each taxable year, on the self-employment income of every part B
eligible individual, a tax equal to the applicable percentage of the
amount of the self-employment income for such taxable year.
`(ii) APPLICABLE PERCENTAGE- For purposes of clause (i), the term `applicable
percentage' means the excess of 12.4 percent, over
`(I) 3 percent, in the case of the first $10,000 of self-employment
income received in the calendar year, and
`(II) 2 percent, in the case of any additional self-employment income
received in the calendar year.
`(2) CONTRIBUTION OF OASDI TAX REDUCTION TO INDIVIDUAL SECURITY ACCOUNTS-
In addition to other taxes, there is hereby imposed for each taxable year,
on the self-employment income of every part B eligible individual for the
calendar year, an individual security account contribution equal to the
sum of--
`(A) 3 percent of self-employment income as does not exceed the first
$10,000 of such income derived during the taxable year by such individual,
`(B) 2 percent of self-employment income in the case of any additional
self-employment income derived by such individual during the taxable year,
and
`(C) so much of such self-employment income (not to exceed $5,000) as
is designated by the individual in the same manner as described in section
251(d) of the Social Security Act.
`(3) INFLATION ADJUSTMENTS-
`(A) IN GENERAL- In the case of any calendar year beginning after 2006,
the $10,000 amount in paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be increased by an
amount equal to--
`(i) such dollar amount, multiplied by
`(ii) the wage increase percentage (if any) for such year,
`(B) DESIGNATED CONTRIBUTIONS- In the case of any calendar year beginning
after 2006, the $5,000 amount in paragraph (2)(C) shall be increased by
an amount equal to--
`(i) such dollar amount, multiplied by
`(ii) the percentage increase (if any) for such year determined under
section 215(i) of the Social Security Act.
`(C) ROUNDING- If any dollar amount after being increased under subparagraph
(A) or (B) is not a multiple of $10, such dollar amount shall be rounded
to the nearest multiple of $10.
`(4) DEFINITION- For purposes of this subsection, the term `wage increase
percentage', with respect to a calendar year, means the percentage increase
which would become effective under section 215(i)(2) of the Social Security
Act in such year if such increase were determined as described in section
215(i)(5)(A)(i) of such Act.'.
(3) PART B ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUAL-
(A) TAXES ON EMPLOYEES- Section 3121 of such Code (relating to definitions)
is amended by inserting after subsection (s) the following new subsection:
`(t) Part B Eligible Individual- For purposes of this chapter, the term `part
B eligible individual' means, for any calendar year, an individual who is
an eligible individual (as defined in section 251(a)(2) of the Social Security
Act) for such calendar year.'.
(B) SELF-EMPLOYMENT TAX- Section 1402 of such Code (relating to definitions)
is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
`(l) Part B Eligible Individual- The term `part B eligible individual' means,
for any calendar year, an individual who is an eligible individual (as defined
in section 251(a)(2) of the Social Security Act) for such calendar year.'.
(A) EMPLOYEES- The amendments made by paragraphs (1) and (3)(A) apply
to remuneration paid after December 31, 2005.
(B) SELF-EMPLOYED INDIVIDUALS- The amendments made by paragraphs (2) and
(3)(B) apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2005.
(c) Matching Contributions-
(1) IN GENERAL- Part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 (relating to credits against tax) is amended by adding at the
end the following new subpart:
`Subpart H--Individual Security Account Credits
`Sec. 54. Individual security account credit.
`SEC. 54. INDIVIDUAL SECURITY ACCOUNT CREDIT.
`(a) Allowance of Credit- Each part B eligible individual is entitled to a
credit for the taxable year in an amount equal to the sum of--
`(2) 50 percent of the designated wages of such individual for the taxable
year,
`(3) 50 percent of the designated self-employment income of such individual
for the taxable year, plus
`(4) 50 percent of the designated earned income credit.
`(1) AMOUNT- The amount determined under paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection
(a) with respect to such individual for any taxable year may not exceed
the excess (if any) of--
`(B) the sum of the amounts received by the Secretary on behalf of such
individual under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section 3101(a)(2) and subparagraphs
(A) and (B) of 1401(a)(2) for the taxable year.
`(2) FAILURE TO MAKE VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS- In the case of a part B eligible
individual with respect to whom the amount of wages designated under section
3101(a)(2)(C) plus the amount self-employment income designated under section
1401(a)(2)(C) for the taxable year is zero, the credit to which such individual
is entitled under this section shall be equal to zero.
`(c) Definitions- For purposes of this section--
`(1) PART B ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUAL- The term `part B eligible individual' means,
for any calendar year, an individual who is an eligible individual (as defined
in section 251(a)(2) of the Social Security Act) for such calendar year.
`(2) DESIGNATED WAGES- The term `designated wages' means with respect to
any taxable year the amount designated under section 3101(a)(2)(C).
`(3) DESIGNATED SELF-EMPLOYMENT INCOME- The term `designated self-employment
income' means with respect to any taxable year the amount designated under
section 1401(a)(2)(C) for such taxable year.
`(4) DESIGNATED EARNED INCOME CREDIT- The term `designated earned income
credit' means the amount of the credit allowed under section 32 for the
taxable year that is designated by the part B eligible individual in the
same manner as described in section 251(d) of the Social Security Act.
`(d) Credit Used Only for Individual Security Account- For purposes of this
title, the credit allowed under this section with respect to any part B eligible
individual--
`(1) shall not be treated as a credit allowed under this part, but
`(2) shall be treated as an overpayment of tax under section 6401(b)(3)
which may, in accordance with section 6402(l), only be transferred to an
individual security account established under part B of title II of the
Social Security Act with respect to such individual.'.
(2) CONTRIBUTION OF EITC AMOUNTS TO INDIVIDUAL SECURITY ACCOUNTS- Section
32 of such Code (relating to earned income) is amended by adding at the
end the following new subsection:
`(n) Contribution to Individual Security Account-
`(1) IN GENERAL- An eligible part B individual who is allowed a credit under
this section may designate all or a portion of such credit as a contribution
to the individual security account established on behalf of such individual.
`(2) CREDIT USED ONLY FOR INDIVIDUAL SECURITY ACCOUNT- For purposes of this
title, the amount designated under paragraph (1) with respect to any part
B individual--
`(A) shall not be treated as a credit allowed under this section, but
`(B) shall be treated as an overpayment of tax under section 6401(b)(3)
which may, in accordance with section 6402(l), only be transferred to
an individual security account established under part B of title II of
the Social Security Act with respect to such individual.'.
(3) CONTRIBUTION OF CREDITED AMOUNTS TO INDIVIDUAL SECURITY ACCOUNT-
(A) CREDITED AMOUNTS TREATED AS OVERPAYMENT OF TAX- Subsection (b) of
section 6401 (relating to excessive credits) is amended by adding at the
end the following new paragraph:
`(3) SPECIAL RULE FOR CREDIT UNDER SECTIONS 32 AND 54- Subject to the provisions
of section 6402(l), the following sum shall be considered an overpayment--
`(A) SECTION 54 CREDIT- The amount of any credit allowed under section
54 for any taxable year, plus
`(B) SECTION 32 DESIGNATED EARNED INCOME CREDIT CONTRIBUTION- The amount
of the earned income credit designated as a contribution to an individual
security account under section 32(n) for the taxable year.'.
(B) TRANSFER OF CREDIT AMOUNT TO INDIVIDUAL SECURITY ACCOUNT- Section
6402 of such Code (relating to authority to make credits or refunds) is
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
`(l) Overpayments Attributable to Individual Security Account Credit- In the
case of any overpayment described in section 6401(b)(3) with respect to any
individual, the Secretary shall transfer for crediting by the Commissioner
of Social Security to the individual security account of an such individual,
an amount equal to the amount of such overpayment.'.
(4) NOTICE TO EITC RECIPIENTS OF MATCHING CONTRIBUTIONS TO INDIVIDUAL SECURITY
ACCOUNTS- In connection with information and tax forms relating to the credit
allowed under section 32 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the Secretary
of the Treasury shall provide notice of the availability of matching contributions
pursuant to section 54 of such Code (as added by subsection (a) of this
section) to individual security accounts under part B of title II of the
Social Security Act.
(5) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS-
(A) Section 1324(b)(2) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by
inserting before the period at the end `, or enacted by the Bipartisan
Retirement Security Act of 2005'.
(B) The table of subparts for part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the
following new item:
`Subpart H. Individual security account credits.'
(6) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendments made by this subsection shall apply to
refunds payable after December 31, 2005.
(d) Tax Treatment of Individual Security Accounts-
(1) IN GENERAL- Subchapter F of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 (relating to exempt organizations) is amended by adding at the end
the following new part:
`PART IX--INDIVIDUAL SECURITY SYSTEM
`Sec. 530A. Individual security fund.
`Sec. 530B. Individual security accounts.
`SEC. 530A. INDIVIDUAL SECURITY FUND AND FEDERALLY-ADMINISTERED INDIVIDUAL
SECURITY ACCOUNTS.
`The Individual Security Fund established under section 261 of the Social
Security Act shall be exempt from taxation under this subtitle.
`SEC. 530B. INDIVIDUAL SECURITY ACCOUNTS.
`(a) In General- For purposes of this section, the term `individual security
account' means a Federally-administered individual security account and a
privately-administered security account.
`(b) Individual Security Accounts Defined- For purposes of subsection (a)--
`(1) FEDERALLY-ADMINISTERED SECURITY ACCOUNT- The term `Federally-administered
individual security account' means the account established under section
251 of the Social Security Act.
`(2) PRIVATELY-ADMINISTERED SECURITY ACCOUNT- The term `privately-administered
individual security account' means a trust created or organized in the United
States exclusively for the benefit of an individual or his beneficiaries,
but only if the written governing instrument creating the trust meets the
following requirements:
`(A) Except in the case of rollover contributions from another individual
security account of such individual--
`(i) no contribution will be accepted unless it is in cash,
`(ii) contributions will not be accepted for the taxable year in excess
of the sum of--
`(I) the amounts collected with respect to such beneficiary under
sections 3101(a)(2) and 1401(a)(2), and
`(II) the amounts transferred to such account under section 6402(l),
and
`(iii) any contributions with respect to an account holder which are
not accepted pursuant to this paragraph are promptly refunded directly
to the account holder.
`(B) The trustee is an institution which is certified under subpart 3
of part B of title II of the Social Security Act.
`(C) No part of the trust funds will be invested in life insurance contracts.
`(D) The interest of an individual in the balance in his account is nonforfeitable.
`(E) The assets of the trust will not be commingled with other property
except in a common trust fund or common investment fund.
`(1) IN GENERAL- No deduction shall be allowed for contributions credited
to an individual security account under part B of title II of the Social
Security Act or amounts transferred to such account under section 6402(l).
`(A) ROLLOVER FROM PRIVATELY-ADMINISTERED INDIVIDUAL SECURITY ACCOUNT-
The entire balance of an individual security account of the account holder
may be rolled over to another individual security account of the account
holder.
`(B) ROLLOVER OF INHERITANCE- Any portion of a distribution to an heir
from an individual security account made by reason of the death of the
beneficiary of such account may be rolled over to the individual security
account of the heir.
`(d) Tax Treatment of Accounts-
`(1) EXEMPTION FROM TAX- An individual security account is exempt from taxation
under this subtitle unless such account has ceased to be an individual security
account by reason of paragraph (2). Notwithstanding the preceding sentence,
any such account is subject to the taxes imposed by section 511 (relating
to imposition of tax on unrelated business income of charitable, etc. organizations).
`(2) ACCOUNT TERMINATIONS- Rules similar to the rules of paragraphs (2)
and (4) of section 408(e) shall apply to privately-administered individual
security accounts, and any amount treated as distributed under such rules
shall be includible in gross income and shall not be treated as a social
security benefit for purposes of section 86.
`(3) ROLLOVER CONTRIBUTION- An amount is described in this paragraph as
a rollover contribution if it meets the requirements of subparagraphs (A)
and (B).
`(A) IN GENERAL- The requirements of this subparagraph are met with respect
to an amount paid or distributed from an individual security account to
the account holder only if the entire amount in such account is received
by the account holder and is paid into another individual security account
for the benefit of such holder not later than the 60th day after the day
on which the holder receives the payment or distribution.
`(B) LIMITATION- This paragraph shall not apply to any amount described
in subparagraph (A) received by an individual from a privately-administered
individual security account if, at any time during the 1-year period ending
on the day of such receipt, such individual received on 3 other occasions
any other amount described in subparagraph (A) from an individual security
account which was not includible in the individual's gross income because
of the application of this paragraph.
`(1) IN GENERAL- The portion of any distribution from an individual security
account under section 253 of the Social Security Act which is attributable
to amounts contributed to such account under section 3101(a)(2) (other than
subparagraph (C) thereof) and section 1401(a)(2) (other than subparagraph
(C) thereof), together with earnings thereon, shall be includible in gross
income as a social security benefit for purposes of section 86.
`(2) VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS- The portion of any distribution from an individual
security account under section 253 of the Social Security Act which is attributable
to amounts contributed to such account under section 3101(a)(2)(C), section
1401(a)(2)(C), and section 6402(l), together with earnings thereon, shall
not be includible in gross income.
`(3) PERIOD IN WHICH DISTRIBUTIONS MUST BE MADE FROM ACCOUNT OF DECEDENT-
In the case of amounts remaining in an individual security account from
which distributions began before the death of the beneficiary, rules similar
to the rules of section 401(a)(9)(B) shall apply to distributions of such
remaining amounts.
`(4) ROLLOVERS- Paragraph (1) shall not apply to amounts rolled over under
subsection (c)(2) in a direct transfer by the Commissioner of Social Security,
under regulations which the Commissioner shall prescribe.
`(f) Account Beneficiary- For purposes of this section, the account beneficiary
is the individual for whose benefit the individual security account is established.'.
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT- The table of parts for subchapter F of chapter 1
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding after the item
relating to part VIII the following new item:
`Part IX. Individual security system'.
(3) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendments made by this subsection shall apply to
taxable years beginning after December 31, 2005.
SEC. 3. MINIMUM SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFIT.
Section 215 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 415) is amended by adding
at the end the following:
`Minimum Monthly Insurance Benefit
`(j)(1) Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this section--
`(A) the primary insurance amount of a qualified individual shall be equal
to the greater of--
`(i) the primary insurance amount determined under this section (without
regard to this subsection), or
`(ii) 1/12 of the applicable percentage of the applicable amount, and
rounded, if not a multiple of $0.10, to the next lower multiple of $0.10,
and thereafter increased as provided in subsection (i), and
`(B) any recomputation of the primary insurance amount of a qualified individual
shall not result in a primary insurance amount less than the primary insurance
amount as in effect immediately prior to such recomputation.
`(2) For purposes of this subsection--
`(A) The term `qualified individual' means an individual--
`(i) who initially becomes eligible for old-age or disability insurance
benefits, or dies (before becoming eligible for such benefits) for a month
beginning after December 31, 2009, and
`(ii) who, in the case of any such individual other than an individual
eligible for old-age insurance benefits, has quarters of coverage greater
in number than the number of such individual's elapsed years (as defined
in subsection (a)(1)(C)(ii)).
`(B) The term `applicable amount' means, in connection with an individual--
`(i) in any case in which the year of such individual's initial eligibility
is prior to 2014, $8,825, adjusted annually, for each year after 2003
and before the earlier of--
`(I) the year of the individual's initial eligibility, or
by the CPI increase percentage determined under section 215(i) for such
year, or
`(ii) in any case in which the year of such individual's initial eligibility
is after 2013, the dollar amount determined under clause (i) for 2013,
multiplied by the percentage (rounded to the nearest one-tenth of 1 percent)
by which the national average wage index (as defined in section 209(k)(1))
for the second year prior to the year of such individual's initial eligibility
exceeds such index for 2011.
`(C)(i) In the case of a qualified individual described in subparagraph
(A)(i), the term `applicable percentage' means the sum of--
`(I) the product derived by multiplying 2.0 percent by the number of
such individual's quarters of coverage in excess of 40, to the extent
that the number of such quarters of coverage does not exceed 80, and
`(II) the product derived by multiplying 0.5 percent by the number of
such individual's quarters of coverage, to the extent that the number
of such quarters of coverage is in excess of 80 but does not exceed
160.
`(ii) In the case of a qualified individual described in subparagraph (A)(ii),
the term `applicable percentage' means the sum of--
`(I) the product derived by multiplying the higher pro-rated percentage
increment by the number of such individual's quarters of coverage, to
the extent that the number of such quarters of coverage exceeds the number
of such individual's elapsed years (as defined in subsection (a)(10(C)(ii))
but does not exceed twice the number of such elapsed years, and
`(II) the product derived by multiplying the lower pro-rated percentage
increment by the number of such individual's quarters of coverage, to
the extent that the number of such quarters of coverage exceeds twice
the number of such elapsed years but does not exceed 4 times the number
of such elapsed years.
`(iii) For purposes of clause (ii)--
`(I) the higher pro-rated percentage increment, in connection with the
qualified individual, is the quotient obtained by dividing 80 percent
by the number of the individual's elapsed years, and
`(II) the lower pro-rated percentage increment, in connection with the
qualified individual, is the quotient obtained by dividing 40 percent
by twice the number of the individual's elapsed years,
each of which is rounded, if a multiple of 0.05 percent and not of 0.10
percent, to the next higher multiple of 0.10 percent, and in any other case
to the next higher multiple of 0.10 percent.
`(3) In the case of a qualified individual who becomes eligible for old-age
or disability insurance benefits, or who dies (before becoming eligible to
such benefits) in a year prior to 2014, in lieu of the amount otherwise determined
under paragraph (1)(A)(ii), the amount provided under paragraph (1)(A)(ii)
shall be deemed to be equal to the the product derived by multiplying such
amount otherwise determined by the percentage set forth in the following table
in connection with such year, rounded, if not a multiple of $0.10, to the
next lower multiple of $0.10.
The applicable
`If the year is:
percentage is:
2010
--20
2011
--40
2012
--60
2013
--80.'.
SEC. 4. REDUCTION IN THE AMOUNT OF CERTAIN TRANSFERS TO MEDICARE TRUST FUND.
Subparagraph (A) of section 121(e)(1) of the Social Security Amendments of
1983 (42 U.S.C. 401 note), as amended by section 13215(c)(1) of the Omnibus
Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, is amended--
(1) in clause (ii), by striking `the amounts' and inserting `the applicable
percentage of the amounts'; and
(2) by adding at the end the following: `For purposes of clause (ii), the
applicable percentage for a year is equal to 100 percent, reduced (but not
below zero) by 10 percentage points for each year after 2010.'.
SEC. 5. REVISED FORMULA FOR AVERAGE INDEXED MONTHLY EARNINGS.
(a) In General- So much of subsection (b) of section 215 of the Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. 415) as precedes paragraph (3) is amended to read as follows:
`Average Indexed Monthly Earnings; Average Monthly Wage
`(b)(1)(A) In the case of an individual who is entitled to old-age insurance
benefits (except as provided in paragraph (2)(C)), or who has died (before
becoming eligible for such benefits or disability insurance benefits), such
individual's average indexed monthly earnings shall be equal to the quotient
obtained by dividing--
`(i) the total (after adjustment under paragraph (3)) of his wages paid
in and self-employment income credited to his computation base years (determined
under subparagraph (C)(i)), by
`(ii) the product derived by multiplying--
`(I) the number of such individual's elapsed years (determined under
subparagraph (C)(ii)), by
`(B)(i) For purposes of clause (i) of subparagraph (A), in the case of an
individual who becomes eligible for old-age insurance benefits, or dies (before
becoming eligible for such benefits or disability insurance benefits), in
any calendar year after 2004 and before 2013, if the number of such individual's
computation base years exceed in number the maximum number for such calendar
year, those computation base years referred to in such clause shall consist
only of those computation base years, equal in number to such maximum number,
for which the total of such individual's wages and self-employment income,
after adjustment under paragraph (3), is the largest. For purposes of this
clause, the maximum number for a calendar year is the maximum number set forth
in connection with such calendar year in the following table:
The maximum
`If the calendar year is:
number of years is:
2005 or 2006
--37
2007 or 2008
--39
2009 or 2010
--41
2011 or 2012
--43.
`(ii) For purposes of subclause (I) of subparagraph (A)(ii), in the case of
an individual who becomes eligible for old-age insurance benefits, or dies
(before becoming eligible for such benefits or disability insurance benefits),
in any calendar year after 2004, if the number of such individual's elapsed
years exceed in number the maximum number for such calendar year, the number
of elapsed years referred to in such subclause shall be deemed equal to such
maximum number. For purposes of this clause, the maximum number for a calendar
year is the maximum number set forth in connection with such calendar year
in the following table:
The maximum
`If the calendar year is:
number of years is:
2005 or 2006
--36
2007 or 2008
--37
2009 or 2010
--38
2011 or 2012
--39
after 2012
--40.
`(C) For purposes of this subsection with respect to any individual--
`(i) the term `computation base year' means any calendar year after 1950
and before--
`(I) in the case of an individual entitled to old-age insurance benefits
or disability insurance benefits, the year in which occurred (whether
by reason of section 202(j)(1) or otherwise) the first month of that entitlement,
or
`(II) in the case of an individual who has died (without having become
entitled to old-age insurance benefits), the year succeeding the year
of his death,
except that such term excludes any calendar year entirely included in a
period of disability, and
`(ii) the term `elapsed year' means (except as otherwise provided by section
104(j)(2) of the Social Security Amendments of 1972) a calendar year--
`(I) after 1950 (or, if later, the year in which the individual attained
age 21), and
`(II) before the year in which the individual died, or, if it occurred
earlier (but after 1960), the year in which he attained age 62;
except that such term excludes any calendar year any part of which is included
in a period of disability.
`(2)(A) In the case of an individual who is entitled to disability insurance
benefits, such individual's average indexed monthly earnings shall be equal
to the quotient obtained by dividing--
`(i) the total (after adjustment under paragraph (3)) of his wages paid
in, and self-employment income credited to, those of his computation base
years (determined under paragraph (1)(C)(i)) which--
`(I) are elapsed years (determined under paragraph (1)(C)(ii)),
`(II) occurred prior to his current period of disability, and
`(III) are equal in number to the reduced number determined under subparagraph
(B),
for which the total of such individual's wages and self-employment income,
after adjustment under paragraph (3), is the largest, by
`(ii) the product derived by multiplying--
`(I) the number of the individual's elapsed years, by
`(B) The reduced number of an individual's elapsed years, determined under
this subparagraph for purposes of subparagraph (A)(i)(III), is the number
of such elapsed years, reduced by the number of years equal to one-fifth of
such number of elapsed years (disregarding any resulting fractional part of
a year), but not by more than 5 years.
`(C)(i) This paragraph, once applicable with respect to any individual, shall
continue to apply for purposes of determining such individual's primary insurance
amount for purposes of any subsequent eligibility for disability or old-age
insurance benefits, unless, prior to the month in which such eligibility begins,
there occurs a period of at least 12 consecutive months for which he was not
entitled to a disability or an old-age insurance benefit.
`(ii) If an individual to which this paragraph applies is living with a child
(of such individual or his or her spouse) under the age of 3 in any calendar
year which is included in such individual's elapsed years, but which is not
disregarded pursuant to subparagraphs (A)(i) and (B) by reason of the reduction
in the number of such individual's elapsed years under subparagraph (B), the
number by which the number of such elapsed years is reduced under subparagraph
(B) shall be increased by one (up to a combined total not exceeding 3) for
each such calendar year, except that--
`(I) no calendar year shall be disregarded by reason of this clause (in
determining elapsed years to be taken into account under subparagraph (A)(i))
unless the individual was living with such child substantially throughout
the period in which the child was alive and under the age of 3 in such year
and the individual had no earnings as described in section 203(f)(5) in
such year,
`(II) the particular calendar years to be disregarded under this clause
(in determining such elapsed years) shall be those years (not otherwise
disregarded under subparagraph (B)) which, before the application of section
215(f), meet the conditions of subclause (I), and
`(III) this clause shall apply only to the extent that its application would
not result in a lower primary insurance amount.
`(D) The reduction in the number of elapsed years taken into account under
subparagraph (A)(i) resulting from the application of subparagraphs (B) and
(C) shall not in any case reduce the number of elapsed years taken into account
under subparagraph (A)(i) to less than 2.'.
(b) Conforming Amendment- Section 215(b)(3)(A) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 415(b)(3)(A))
is amended by striking `for purposes of the selection therefrom of benefit
computation years under paragraph (2)' and inserting `for purposes of paragraphs
(1)(B)(i) and (2)(A)(i)'.
(c) Effective Date- The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with
respect to individuals initially becoming eligible for old-age or disability
insurance benefits, or dying (before becoming eligible for such benefits),
in any calendar year after 2008. For purposes of this subsection, and individual
shall be deemed eligible for a benefit for a month if, upon filing application
therefor in such month, such individual would be entitled to such benefit
for such month.
SEC. 6. ACTUARIAL ADJUSTMENT FOR RETIREMENT.
(1) IN GENERAL- Section 202(q) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 402(q))
is amended--
(A) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ` 5/9 ' and inserting `the applicable
old-age benefit fraction (determined under paragraph (12)(A))', and by
striking ` 25/36 ' and inserting `the applicable spousal benefit fraction
(determined under paragraph (12)(B))'; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
`(12) For purposes of paragraph (1)(A)--
`(A) the `applicable old-age benefit fraction' for an individual who attains
the age of 62 in--
`(i) any year before 2006, is 5/9 ;
`(vi) 2010 or any succeeding year, is 25/36 ; and
`(B) the `applicable spousal benefit fraction' for an individual who becomes
eligible for wife's or husband's insurance benefits in--
`(i) any year before 2006, is 25/36 ;
`(vi) 2010 or any succeeding year, is 125/144 .'.
(2) MONTHS BEYOND FIRST 36 MONTHS- Section 202(q) of such Act (42 U.S.C.
402(q)(9)) (as amended by paragraph (1)) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (9)(A), by striking `five-twelfths' and inserting `the
applicable fraction (determined under paragraph (13))'; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
`(13) For purposes of paragraph (9)(A), the `applicable fraction' for an individual
who becomes eligible for old-age, wife's, or husband's insurance benefits
in--
`(A) any year before 2006, is 5/12 ;
`(E) 2009, is 17/36 ; and
`(F) 2010 or any succeeding year, is 1/2 .'.
(3) ELIGIBILITY- Section 202(q) of such Act (as amended by the preceding
provisions of this subsection) is amended further by adding at the end the
following new paragraph:
`(14) For purposes of this subsection, an individual shall be deemed eligible
for a benefit for a month if, upon filing application therefor in such month,
such individual would be entitled to such benefit for such month.'.
(4) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendments made by this subsection shall apply to
individuals who, in connection with old-age, wife's, and husband's insurance
benefits under title II of the Social Security Act, become eligible for
such benefits (within the meaning of section 202(q)(14) of such Act (as
amended by this subsection) in years after 2005.
(b) Delayed Retirement- Section 202(w)(6) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
402(w)(6)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (C), by striking `and' at the end;
(2) in subparagraph (D), by striking `2004.' and inserting `2004 and before
2009;'; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
`(E) 17/24 of 1 percent in the case of an individual who attains the age
of 62 in a calendar year after 2008 and before 2011;
`(F) 3/4 of 1 percent in the case of an individual who attains the age of
62 in a calendar year after 2010 and before 2013;
`(G) 19/24 of 1 percent in the case of an individual who attains the age
of 62 in a calendar year after 2012 and before 2015; and
`(H) 5/6 of 1 percent in the case of an individual who attains the age of
62 in a calendar year after 2014.'.
SEC. 7. CORRECTIONS FOR CPI OVERSTATEMENT IN COST-OF-LIVING INDEXATION.
(a) Modifications to Cost-of-Living Indexation of Social Security Benefits-
(1) IN GENERAL- Section 215(i)(1)(D) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
415(i)(1)(D)) is amended to read as follows:
`(D) the term `CPI increase percentage', with respect to a base quarter
or cost-of-living computation quarter in any calendar year, means the percentage
(rounded to the nearest one-tenth of 1 percent) by which the Chained Consumer
Price Index for All Urban Consumers (published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics
of the Department of Labor) for the such base quarter or cost-of-living
computation quarter exceeds such index for the later of--
`(i) the most recent calendar quarter (prior to such base quarter or cost-of-living
computation quarter) which was a base quarter under subparagraph (A)(ii),
or
`(ii) the most recent cost-of-living computation quarter under subparagraph
(B);'.
(2) DEFINITIONS- Section 215(i)(1)(G) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 415(i)(1)(G))
is amended to read as follows:
`(G) the Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for a base
quarter, a cost-of-living computation quarter, or any other calendar quarter
shall be the arithmetical mean of such index (published by the Bureau of
Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor as of the end of such quarter)
for the 3 months in such quarter.'.
(3) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendments made by this subsection shall apply with
respect to increases under section 215(i) of the Social Security Act effective
with the month of December of years after 2004.
(b) Consumer Price Index Adjustments Applicable to the Internal Revenue Code
Provisions-
(1) IN GENERAL- Paragraph (3) of section 1(f) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986 (defining Consumer Price Index) is amended to read as follows:
`(3) COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT-
`(A) IN GENERAL- For purposes of paragraph (2), the cost-of-living adjustment
for any calendar year is the product of--
`(i) the CPI fraction for calendar years before 2006, multiplied by
`(ii) the Chained CPI fraction for calendar years after 2005,
`(B) CPI FRACTION FOR CALENDAR YEARS BEFORE 2006- The CPI fraction for
calendar years before 2006 is the fraction--
`(i) the numerator of which is the CPI for the calendar year 2004, and
`(ii) the denominator of which is the CPI for the calendar year 1992.
`(C) CHAINED CPI FRACTION FOR CALENDAR YEARS AFTER 2005- The Chained CPI
fraction for calendar years after 2005 is the fraction--
`(i) the numerator of which is the Chained CPI for the preceding calendar
year, and
`(ii) the denominator of which is the Chained CPI for the calendar year
2004.'.
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS-
(A) Paragraph (4) of section 1(f) of such Code is amended to read as follows:
`(4) CPI AND CHAINED CPI FOR ANY CALENDAR YEAR- For purposes of paragraph
(3)--
`(A) CPI- The CPI for any calendar year is the average of the Consumer
Price Index as of the close of the 12-month period ending on August 31
of such calendar year.
`(B) CHAINED CPI- The Chained CPI for any calendar year is the average
of the Chained Consumer Price Index as of the close of the 12-month period
ending on August 31 of such calendar year.'.
(B) Paragraph (5) of section 1(f) of such Code is amended to read as follows:
`(5) CONSUMER PRICE INDEX AND CHAINED CONSUMER PRICE INDEX- For purposes
of paragraph (4)--
`(A) CONSUMER PRICE INDEX- The term `Consumer Price Index' means the last
Consumer Price Index for all-urban consumers published by the Department
of Labor. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the revision of the
Consumer Price Index which is most consistent with the Consumer Price
Index for calendar year 1986 shall be used.
`(B) CHAINED CONSUMER PRICE INDEX- The term `Chained Consumer Price Index'
means the initial Chained Consumer Price Index for all-urban consumers
published by the Department of Labor.'.
(3) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendments made by this subsection shall apply to
taxable years beginning after December 31, 2005.
(c) Cost-of-Living Adjustments Under Other Provisions Utilizing the Consumer
Price Index-
(1) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in paragraph (2), for purposes of determining
the amount of any cost-of-living increase which takes effect for benefits
payable after December 31, 2005, with respect to any benefit described in
paragraph (4), any such increase for the period for which the percentage
change is determined shall be deemed to be, in lieu of the increase otherwise
determined under applicable law in connection with such benefits, the increase
determined under such applicable law by substituting the Chained CPI for
any month for the CPI for such month.
(2) INCREASES DETERMINED FROM A CONSTANT BASE YEAR-
(A) IN GENERAL- In any case in which the amount of the cost-of-living
increase which takes effect for benefits payable after December 31, 2005,
with respect to any benefit described in paragraph (4) is determined under
applicable law by reference to a change in the CPI over a period which
is determined by reference to a base period which remains constant from
year to year, any such increase for any period shall be deemed to be,
in lieu of the increase otherwise determined under applicable law in connection
with such benefits, the increase, expressed as a percentage increase,
equal to the product of--
(i) the CPI fraction prior to 2006, multiplied by
(ii) the Chained CPI fraction after 2005,
(B) CPI FRACTION PRIOR TO 2006- The CPI fraction prior to 2006 is the
fraction--
(i) the numerator of which is the CPI for the period, ending with or
during 2004, which corresponds to the base period, and
(ii) the denominator of which is the CPI for the base period.
(C) CHAINED CPI FRACTION AFTER 2005- The Chained CPI fraction after 2005
is the fraction--
(i) the numerator of which is the Chained CPI for the period, ending
with or during the year preceding the year in which the determination
takes effect, which corresponds to the base period, and
(ii) the denominator of which is the Chained CPI for the period, ending
with or during 2004, which corresponds to the base period.
(3) CPI AND CHAINED CPI- For purposes of paragraph (1)--
(A) CPI- The CPI for any period means, in connection with any benefit
described in paragraph (4), the average monthly Consumer Price Index for
such period, as determined under the applicable law in connection with
such benefit (without regard to this subsection).
(B) CHAINED CPI- The Chained CPI for any period means, in connection with
any benefit described in paragraph (4), the average monthly Chained Consumer
Price Index for all urban consumers (published by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics of the Department of Labor) for such period, determined under
applicable law in the same manner as the CPI for such period would be
determined.
(4) RULES TO APPLY ONLY TO COMPUTATION OF BENEFIT AMOUNTS- The preceding
provisions of this subsection shall apply only for purposes of determining
the amount of benefits and not for purposes of determining--
(A) whether a threshold increase in the Consumer Price Index has been
met, or
(B) increases in amounts under other provisions of law not described in
paragraph (5) which operate by reference to increases in such benefits.
(5) BENEFITS TO WHICH SUBSECTION APPLIES- For purposes of this subsection,
the benefits described in this paragraph are--
(A) retired and retainer pay subject to adjustment under section 1401a
of title 10, United States Code;
(B) civil service retirement benefits under section 8340 of title 5, United
States Code, foreign service retirement benefits under section 826 of
the Foreign Service Act of 1980, Central Intelligence Agency retirement
benefits under part J of the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement Act
of 1964 for certain employees, and any other benefits under any similar
provision under any retirement system for employees of the government
of the United States;
(C) Federal workers' compensation under section 8146a of title 5, United
States Code;
(D) benefits under section 3(a), 4(a), or 4(f) of the Railroad Retirement
Act of 1974; and
(E) benefits and expenditure limits under title XVIII or XIX of the Social
Security Act.
(6) BENEFIT- For purposes of this section, the term `benefit' includes a
payment.
(d) Recapture to Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund- Section
201 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401) is amended by adding at the
end the following new subsection:
`(o) On July 1 of each calendar year specified in the following table, the
Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer, from the general fund of the Treasury
to the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, an amount equal
to the applicable percentage for such year, specified in such table, of the
total wages paid in and self-employment income credited to such year.
`For the following
The applicable
calendar years:
percentage is:
After 2006 and before 2008
--0.02
After 2007 and before 2009
--0.04
After 2008 and before 2010
--0.10
After 2009 and before 2011
--0.12
After 2010 and before 2012
--0.13
After 2011 and before 2013
--0.20
After 2012 and before 2014
--0.24
After 2013 and before 2015
--0.29
After 2014 and before 2021
--0.33
After 2020 and before 2045
--0.39
After 2044 and before 2065
--0.47
After 2064
--0.57.'.
SEC. 8. ADJUSTMENTS TO BEND POINTS IN DETERMINING PRIMARY INSURANCE AMOUNTS.
(a) Additional Bend Point- Section 215(a)(1)(A) of the Social Security Act
(42 U.S.C. 415(a)(1)(A)) is amended to read as follows:
`(a)(1)(A)(i) Subject to clause (ii), the primary insurance amount of an individual
shall (except as otherwise provided in this section) be equal to the sum of--
`(I) 90 percent of the individual's average indexed monthly earnings (determined
under subsection (b)) to the extent that such earnings do not exceed the
amount established for purposes of this subclause by subparagraph (B),
`(II) 70 percent of the individual's average indexed monthly earnings to
the extent that such earnings exceed the amount established for purposes
of subclause (I) but do not exceed the amount established for purposes of
this subclause by subparagraph (B),
`(III) 20 percent of the individual's average indexed monthly earnings to
the extent that such earnings exceed the amount established for purposes
of subclause (II) but do not exceed the amount established for purposes
of this subclause by subparagraph (B), and
`(IV) 10 percent of the individual's average indexed monthly earnings to
the extent that such earnings exceed the amount established for purposes
of this clause by subparagraph (B).
`(ii) In the case of individuals becoming eligible for old-age or disability
insurance benefits, or dying (before becoming eligible for such benefits),
in any calendar year after 2005 and before 2016--
`(I) In lieu of the percentage specified in subclause (II) of clause (i),
the applicable percentage set forth in the following table in connection
with such calendar year shall apply:
The applicable
`If the calendar year is:
percentage is:
2006
--35.8
2007
--39.6
2008
--43.4
2009
--47.2
2010
--51.0
2011
--54.8
2012
--58.6
2013
--62.4
2014
--66.2.
`(II) In lieu of the percentage specified in subclause (III) of clause (i),
the applicable percentage set forth in the following table in connection
with such calendar year shall apply:
The applicable
`If the calendar year is:
percentage is:
2006
--30.8
2007
--29.6
2008
--28.4
2009
--27.2
2010
--26.0
2011
--24.8
2012
--23.6
2013
--22.4
2014
--21.2.
`(III) In lieu of the percentage specified in subclause (IV) of clause (i),
the applicable percentage set forth in the following table in connection
with such calendar year shall apply:
The applicable
`If the calendar year is:
percentage is:
2006
--14.5
2007
--14.0
2008
--13.5
2009
--13.0
2010
--12.5
2011
--12.0
2012
--11.5
2013
--11.0
2014
--10.5.'.
(b) Initial Level of Additional Bend Point- Section 215(a)(1)(B) of such Act
(42 U.S.C. 415(a)(1)(B)) is amended--
(1) in clause (i), by inserting `(as then in effect)' after `subparagraph
(A)', and by adding at the end the following new sentence: `For individuals
who initially become eligible for old-age or disability insurance benefits,
or who die (before becoming eligible for such benefits) after 2005, such
dollar amounts shall be deemed to have been so established in 1979 for purposes
of subclauses (I) and (III) of subparagraph (A)(i), respectively, as in
effect with respect to such individuals.';
(2) by redesignating clause (iii) as clause (iv);
(3) by inserting after clause (ii) the following new clause:
`(iii) For individuals who initially become eligible for old-age or disability
insurance benefits, or who die (before becoming eligible for such benefits),
in any calendar year after 2005, the amount established for purposes of clause
(ii) of subparagraph (A) for such calendar year after 2005 shall be 183.8
percent of the amount established for purposes of clause (i) for such calendar
year.'; and
(4) in clause (iv) (as redesignated by paragraph (1)), by striking `clause
(ii)' and inserting `clauses (ii) and (iii)'.
(c) Effective Date- The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect
to individuals becoming eligible for old-age insurance benefits or disability
insurance benefits, or dying (before becoming eligible for such benefits),
after 2005.
SEC. 9. ADJUSTMENT TO BENEFIT FORMULA FACTORS.
Section 215(a)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 415(a)(1)(B)) (as
amended by section 8) is amended further--
(1) by redesignating clause (iv) as clause (vii); and
(2) by inserting after clause (iii) the following:
`(iv) For an individual who initially becomes eligible for old-age insurance
benefits, or who dies (before becoming eligible for such benefits or disability
insurance benefits), in any calendar year after 2011, each of the amounts
otherwise established for purposes of subclauses (I), (II), (III), and (IV)
of subparagraph (A)(i) under this subparagraph shall be substituted with the
product derived by successively multiplying, once for each year of the factoring
period for such individual--
`(I) such amount (after applying this clause for earlier years of the factoring
period), by
`(II) the designated factor for such year.
`(v) For purposes of clause (iii), the term `factoring period' means, for
an individual, the period beginning with 2012 and ending with the earlier
of--
`(I) the year of the individual's initial eligibility or death, or
`(vi) For purposes of clause (iii), the term `designated factor' means--
`(I) for a year prior to 2031, 0.975, except that, for any such year, such
factor shall be 1.000 with respect to amounts otherwise established for
purposes of subclause (I) of subparagraph (A)(i) under this subparagraph,
and
`(II) for a year after 2030, 0.985.'.
SEC. 10. MODIFICATION TO PIA FORMULA TO REFLECT CHANGES TO LIFE EXPECTANCY.
(a) In General- Section 215(a)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 415(a)(1)(B))
is amended by redesignating subparagraph (C) and (D) as subparagraphs (D)
and (E), respectively, and by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following
new subparagraph:
`(C)(i) For individuals who initially become eligible for old-age insurance
benefits (or who die before becoming eligible for such benefits) in any calendar
year after 2011, the primary insurance amount computed under this paragraph
shall be the product derived by multiplying such amount as computed under
the preceding subparagraphs of this paragraph by the life expectancy ratio
for such calendar year.
`(ii) The Commissioner of Social Security, using generally accepted actuarial
principles, shall determine and publish in the Federal Register on or before
November 1 of each calendar year the life expectancy ratio for the following
calendar year.
`(iii) For purposes of clause (ii), the life expectancy ratio for any calendar
year is the ratio of--
`(I) the period life expectancy of an individual attaining age 62 on January
1, 2008, to
`(II) the period life expectancy of an individual attaining age 62 on January
1 of the third calendar year preceding the calendar year in which the determination
under clause (ii) is made.'.
(b) Study of the Effect of Increases in Life Expectancy-
(1) STUDY PLAN- Not later than December 15, 2006, the Commissioner of Social
Security shall submit to Congress a detailed study plan for evaluating the
effects of increases in life expectancy on the expected level of retirement
income from social security, pensions, and other sources. The study plan
shall include a description of the methodology, data, and funding that will
be required in order to provide to the Congress not later than February
15, 2008--
(A) an evaluation of trends in mortality and their relationship to trends
in health status, among individuals approaching eligibility for old-age
insurance benefits under title II of the Social Security Act;
(B) an evaluation of trends in labor force participation among individuals
approaching eligibility for such benefits and among individuals receiving
such benefits, and of the factors that influence the choice between retirement
and participation in the labor force;
(C) an evaluation of changes, if any, in the disability insurance program
under title II of the Social Security Act that would reduce the impact
of changes in the retirement income of workers in poor health or physically
demanding occupations;
(D) an evaluation of the methodology used to develop projections for trends
in mortality, health status, and labor force participation among individuals
approaching eligibility for old-age insurance benefits and among individuals
receiving such benefits; and
(E) an evaluation of such other matters as the Commissioner deems appropriate
for evaluating the effects of increases in life expectancy.
(2) REPORT ON RESULTS OF STUDY- Not later than February 15, 2008, the Commissioner
of Social Security shall provide to the Congress an evaluation of the implications
of the trends studied under paragraph (1), along with recommendations, if
any, of the extent to which the conclusions of such evaluations indicate
that projected increases in life expectancy require modification in the
disability insurance program under title II of the Social Security Act and
other income support programs.
SEC. 11. TREATMENT OF DISABLED BENEFICIARIES.
Section 215(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 415(a)) is amended by
adding at the end the following new paragraph:
`(8)(A) Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this subsection, in the
case of an individual who has or has had a period of disability and becomes
entitled to old-age insurance benefits under section 202(a) (or dies) in or
after 2006, the primary insurance amount of such individual shall be the sum
of--
`(i) the amount determined under subparagraph (B), and
`(ii) the product derived by multiplying--
`(I) the excess of the amount determined under subparagraph (C) over the
amount determined under subparagraph (B), by
`(II) the adjustment factor for such individual determined under subparagraph
(D).
`(B) The amount determined under this subparagraph is the amount of such individual's
primary insurance amount as determined under this section without regard to
this paragraph.
`(C) The amount determined under this subparagraph is the amount of such individual's
primary insurance amount as determined under this section as in effect with
respect to individuals becoming eligible for old-age or disability insurance
benefits under section 202(a) in 2004.
`(D)(i) Subject to clause (ii), the adjustment factor determined under this
subparagraph for any individual is the ratio (not greater than 1) of--
`(I) the number of months, ending after the date on which such individual
has attained age 22 and preceding the earlier of such individual's first
month of entitlement to old-age insurance benefits under section 202(a)
or the month of such individual's death, which occurred during a period
of disability of such individual, to
`(ii) In the case of an individual who has attained age 22 as of the date
of the enactment of the Bipartisan Retirement Security Act of 2005, the adjustment
factor determined under this subparagraph for such individual is the product
derived by multiplying the ratio determined under clause (i) by the ratio
(not greater than 1) of--
`(I) the number of calendar years for which contributions have been made
to such individual's individual security account pursuant to section 251(b)(1),
to
SEC. 12. MAINTENANCE OF BENEFIT AND CONTRIBUTION BASE.
(a) In General- So much of section 230 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
430) as precedes subsection (d) is amended to read as follows:
`MAINTENANCE OF BENEFIT AND CONTRIBUTION BASE
`SEC. 230. (a) Not later than November 1 of each calendar year (beginning
with or after 2005), the Commissioner shall determine and publish in the Federal
Register the contribution and benefit base determined under subsections (b)
and (c) which shall be effective with respect to remuneration paid after such
calendar year and taxable years beginning after such year.
`(b) For purposes of this section, and for purposes of determining wages and
self-employment income under sections 209, 211, 213, and 215 of this Act and
sections 54, 1402, 3121, 3122, 3125, 6413, and 6654 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986--
`(1) the `contribution and benefit base' with respect to remuneration paid
(and taxable years beginning)--
`(A) in 2006 shall be $97,500,
`(B) in 2007 shall be $106,800,
`(C) in 2008 shall be $117,000,
`(D) in 2009 shall be $129,000, and
`(E) in 2010 shall be $142,500; and
`(2) the `contribution and benefit base' with respect to remuneration paid
(and taxable years beginning) in any calendar year after 2010 shall be equal
to the dollar amount equal to the lowest amount which, if applied under
this title as the benefit and contribution base for the preceding year,
would have caused the total untaxed covered remuneration for such year to
constitute no more than 13 percent of the total amount of wages paid, and
self-employment income derived, in such year by all individuals.
Each contribution and benefit base determined under paragraph (2) shall (if
not a multiple of $25) be rounded to the nearest multiple of $25.
`(c) For purposes of this section, the term `total untaxed covered remuneration'
for a calendar year means the total amount of wages paid to, and self-employment
income derived by, all individuals in such calendar year, which was, with
respect to each individual paid such wages and deriving such self-employment
income, in excess of the contribution and benefit base for that calendar year.'.
(b) Effective Date- The amendment made by this section shall apply to remuneration
paid in (and taxable years beginning in) any calendar year after 2005.
SEC. 13. ACCELERATION OF INCREASE IN SOCIAL SECURITY ELIGIBILITY AGE.
Section 216(l) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 416(l) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), (D), and
(E) and inserting the following:
`(A) with respect to an individual who attains early retirement age (as
defined in paragraph (2)) before January 1, 2000, 65 years of age; and
`(B) with respect to an individual who attains early retirement age after
December 31, 1999, and before January 1, 2012, 65 years of age plus 2/12
of the number of months in the period beginning with January 2000 and ending
with December of the year in which the individual attains early retirement
age; and
`(C) with respect to an individual who attains early retirement age after
December 31, 2011, 67 years of age.'; and
(2) by striking paragraph (3).
SEC. 14. MECHANISM FOR REMEDYING UNFORESEEN DETERIORATION IN SOCIAL SECURITY
SOLVENCY.
(a) In General- Section 709 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 910) is
amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c); and
(2) by striking `Sec. 709. (a) If the Board of Trustees' and all that follows
through `any such Trust Fund' and inserting the following:
`SEC. 709. (a)(1)(A) If the Board of Trustees of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors
Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund determines
at any time, using intermediate actuarial assumptions, that the balance ratio
of either such Trust Fund for any calendar year during the succeeding period
of 75 calendar years will be zero, the Board shall promptly submit to each
House of the Congress and to the President a report setting forth its recommendations
for statutory adjustments affecting the receipts and disbursements of such
Trust Fund necessary to maintain the balance ratio of such Trust Fund at not
less than 20 percent, with due regard to the economic conditions which created
such inadequacy in the balance ratio and the amount of time necessary to alleviate
such inadequacy in a prudent manner. The report shall set forth specifically
the extent to which benefits would have to be reduced, taxes under section
1401, 3101, or 3111 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 would have to be
increased, or a combination thereof, in order to obtain the objectives referred
to in the preceding sentence.
`(B) In addition to any reports under subparagraph (A), the Board shall, not
later than May 30, 2006, prepare and submit to Congress and the President
recommendations for statutory adjustments to the disability insurance program
under title II of this Act to modify the changes in disability benefits under
the Bipartisan Retirement Security Act of 2005 without reducing the balance
ratio of the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund. The Board shall develop
such recommendations in consultation with the National Council on Disability,
taking into consideration the adequacy of benefits under the program, the
relationship of such program with old age benefits under such title, and changes
in the process for determining initial eligibility and reviewing continued
eligibility for benefits under such program.
`(2)(A) The President shall, no later than 30 days after the submission of
the report to the President, transmit to the Board and to the Congress a report
containing the President's approval or disapproval of the Board's recommendations.
`(B) If the President approves all the recommendations of the Board, the President
shall transmit a copy of such recommendations to the Congress as the President's
recommendations, together with a certification of the President's adoption
of such recommendations.
`(C) If the President disapproves the recommendations of the Board, in whole
or in part, the President shall transmit to the Board and the Congress the
reasons for that disapproval. The Board shall then transmit to the Congress
and the President, no later than 60 days after the date of the submission
of the original report to the President, a revised list of recommendations.
`(D) If the President approves all of the revised recommendations of the Board
transmitted to the President under subparagraph (C), the President shall transmit
a copy of such revised recommendations to the Congress as the President's
recommendations, together with a certification of the President's adoption
of such recommendations.
`(E) If the President disapproves the revised recommendations of the Board,
in whole or in part, the President shall transmit to the Board and the Congress
the reasons for that disapproval, together with such revisions to such recommendations
as the President determines are necessary to bring such recommendations within
the President's approval. The President shall transmit a copy of such recommendations,
as so revised, to the Board and the Congress as the President's recommendations,
together with a certification of the President's adoption of such recommendations.
`(3)(A) This paragraph is enacted by Congress--
`(i) as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the Senate and the House
of Representatives, respectively, and as such it is deemed a part of the
rules of each House, respectively, but applicable only to the extent that
it is inconsistent with such rules; and
`(ii) with full recognition of the constitutional right of either House
to change the rules (so far as relating to the procedure of that House)
at any time, in the same manner, and to the same extent as in the case of
any other rule of that House.
`(B) For purposes of this paragraph, the term `joint resolution' means only
a joint resolution which is introduced within the 10-day period beginning
on the date on which the President transmits the President's recommendations,
together with the President's certification, to the Congress under subparagraph
(B), (D), or (E) of paragraph (2), and--
`(i) which does not have a preamble;
`(ii) the matter after the resolving clause of which is as follows: `That
the Congress approves the recommendations of the President as transmitted
on XXXXXX pursuant to section 709(a) of the Social Security Act,
as follows:XXXXXXXX', the first blank space being filled in with
the appropriate date and the second blank space being filled in with the
statutory adjustments contained in the recommendations; and
`(iii) the title of which is as follows: `Joint resolution approving the
recommendations of the President regarding social security.'
`(C) A joint resolution described in subparagraph (B) that is introduced in
the House of Representatives shall be referred to the Committee on Ways and
Means of the House of Representatives. A joint resolution described in subparagraph
(B) introduced in the Senate shall be referred to the Committee on Finance
of the Senate.
`(D) If the committee to which a joint resolution described in subparagraph
(B) is referred has not reported such joint resolution (or an identical joint
resolution) by the end of the 20-day period beginning on the date on which
the President transmits the recommendation to the Congress under paragraph
(2), such committee shall be, at the end of such period, discharged from further
consideration of such joint resolution, and such joint resolution shall be
placed on the appropriate calendar of the House involved.
`(E)(i) On or after the third day after the date on which the committee to
which such a joint resolution is referred has reported, or has been discharged
(under subparagraph (D)) from further consideration of, such a joint resolution,
it is in order (even though a previous motion to the same effect has been
disagreed to) for any Member of the respective House to move to proceed to
the consideration of the joint resolution. A Member may make the motion only
on the day after the calendar day on which the Member announces to the House
concerned the Member's intention to make the motion, except that, in the case
of the House of Representatives, the motion may be made without such prior
announcement if the motion is made by direction of the committee to which
the joint resolution was referred. All points of order against the joint resolution
(and against consideration of the joint resolution) are waived. The motion
is highly privileged in the House of Representatives and is privileged in
the Senate and is not debatable. The motion is not subject to amendment, or
to a motion to postpone, or to a motion to proceed to the consideration of
other business. A motion to reconsider the vote by which the motion is agreed
to or disagreed to shall not be in order. If a motion to proceed to the consideration
of the joint resolution is agreed to, the respective House shall immediately
proceed to consideration of the joint resolution without intervening motion,
order, or other business, and the joint resolution shall remain the unfinished
business of the respective House until disposed of.
`(ii) Debate on the joint resolution, and on all debatable motions and appeals
in connection therewith, shall be limited to not more than 2 hours, which
shall be divided equally between those favoring and those opposing the joint
resolution. An amendment to the joint resolution is not in order. A motion
further to limit debate is in order and not debatable. A motion to postpone,
or a motion to proceed to the consideration of other business, or a motion
to recommit the joint resolution is not in order. A motion to reconsider the
vote by which the joint resolution is agreed to or disagreed to is not in
order.
`(iii) Immediately following the conclusion of the debate on a joint resolution
described in subparagraph (B) and a single quorum call at the conclusion of
the debate if requested in accordance with the rules of the appropriate House,
the vote on final passage of the joint resolution shall occur.
`(iv) Appeals from the decisions of the Chair relating to the application
of the rules of the Senate or the House of Representatives, as the case may
be, to the procedure relating to a joint resolution described in subparagraph
(B) shall be decided without debate.
`(F)(i) If, before the passage by one House of a joint resolution of that
House described in subparagraph (B), that House receives from the other House
a joint resolution described in subparagraph (B), then the following procedures
shall apply:
`(I) The joint resolution of the other House shall not be referred to a
committee and may not be considered in the House receiving it except in
the case of final passage as provided in subclause (II).
`(II) With respect to a joint resolution described in subparagraph (B) of
the House receiving the joint resolution, the procedure in that House shall
be the same as if no joint resolution had been received from the other House,
but the vote on final passage shall be on the joint resolution of the other
House.
`(ii) Upon disposition of the joint resolution received from the other House,
it shall no longer be in order to consider the joint resolution that originated
in the receiving House.
`(b) If the Board of Trustees of the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund
or the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund determines at any
time that the balance ratio of either such Trust Fund'.
(b) Conforming Amendments-
(1) Section 709(b) of such Act (as amended by subsection (a) of this section)
is amended by striking `any such' and inserting `either such'.
(2) Section 709(c) of such Act (as redesignated by subsection (a) of this
section) is amended by inserting `or (b)' after `subsection (a)'.
SEC. 15. INCREASE IN WIDOW'S AND WIDOWER'S INSURANCE BENEFITS.
(a) Widow's Insurance Benefits- Section 202(e) of the Social Security Act
(42 U.S.C. 402(e)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
`(9)(A) In any case in which the amount of a widow's insurance benefit (as
determined under the preceding paragraphs of this subsection) for the entitlement
month of the widow (or surviving divorced wife) is less than the minimum benefit
amount for such month determined under subparagraph (C), the amount of such
benefit for such month and each succeeding month shall be increased to such
minimum benefit amount (or the amount most recently established in lieu thereof
under section 215(i)).
`(B) For purposes of this paragraph, the term `entitlement month' of a widow
(or surviving divorced wife) means, in connection with her benefit under this
subsection, the first month of her entitlement to such benefit.
`(C) For purposes of subparagraph (A), the minimum benefit amount determined
under this subparagraph for the entitlement month of the widow (or surviving
divorced wife) is an amount equal to the lesser of--
`(i) 75 percent of the sum of--
`(I) the imputed deceased individual's benefit for such month, as determined
under subparagraph (D) or (E) (as applicable), and
`(II) the imputed survivor benefit for such month, as determined under
subparagraph (F), or
`(ii) the increased benefit cap determined under subparagraph (G) for such
month.
`(D)(i) For purposes of subparagraph (C)(i)(I), if the deceased individual
died in a month for which he was not entitled to any benefit under this title
based on his wages or self-employment income or the wages and self-employment
income of the widow (or surviving divorced wife), the imputed deceased individual's
benefit for the entitlement month of the widow (or surviving divorced wife)
is the sum of--
`(I) the imputed old-age insurance benefit (determined under clause (ii))
of the deceased individual for her entitlement month (if any), and
`(II) the imputed husband's insurance benefit (determined under clause (iii))
of the deceased individual for her entitlement month (if any).
`(ii) The amount of the imputed old-age insurance benefit of the deceased
individual for the entitlement month of the widow (or surviving divorced wife)
is the amount of the old-age insurance benefit to which he would have been
entitled for such month--
`(I) determined, in the case of such a deceased individual who had attained
age 62 as of the date of his death, as if he had applied for such benefit
in the month of his death and had survived throughout the subsequent period
ending with her entitlement month, or
`(II) determined, in the case of such a deceased individual who died before
attaining age 62 but would have attained age 62 before the end of her entitlement
month, as if he had survived throughout the subsequent period ending with
her entitlement month, and had applied for such benefit during the first
month for which he would have been eligible for such benefit (assuming a
primary insurance amount for the deceased individual determined under paragraph
(2)(B) of this subsection).
For purposes of determining the deceased individual's imputed old-age insurance
benefit under this clause, the determination of whether the deceased individual
was a fully-insured individual (as defined in section 214(a)) shall be made
as of the date of his death. In any case in which the deceased individual
died before attaining age 62 and would not have attained age 62 before the
end of the entitlement month of the widow (or surviving divorced wife), the
deceased individual's imputed old-age insurance benefit shall be deemed to
be zero.
`(iii) The amount of the imputed husband's insurance benefit of the deceased
individual for the entitlement month of the widow (or surviving divorced wife)
is the amount of the husband's insurance benefit under subsection (c) to which
he would have been entitled for such month (assuming, for purposes of reduction
under subsection (k)(3)(A), the entitlement to an old-age insurance benefit
for such month, if any, as described in clause (ii))--
`(I) determined, in the case of such a deceased individual who had attained
age 62 as of the date of his death, as if he had applied for such benefit
in the month of his death and had survived throughout the subsequent period
ending with her entitlement month, or
`(II) determined, in the case of such a deceased individual who died before
attaining age 62 but would have attained age 62 before the end of her entitlement
month, as if he had survived throughout the subsequent period ending with
her entitlement month and had applied for such benefit during the first
month for which he would have been eligible for such benefit.
In any case in which the deceased individual died before he attained age 62
and would not have attained age 62 before the end of the entitlement month
of the widow (or surviving divorced spouse), the deceased individual's imputed
husband's insurance benefit shall be deemed to be zero.
`(E)(i) For purposes of subparagraph (C), if the deceased individual died
during a month for which he otherwise would have been entitled (but for his
death) to an old-age insurance benefit under subsection (a) or a disability
insurance benefit under section 223, or to a husband's insurance benefit under
subsection (c) based on the wages and self-employment income of the widow
(or surviving divorced wife), the imputed deceased individual's benefit for
the entitlement month of the widow (or surviving divorced wife) is the sum
of--
`(I) the amount of the old-age or disability insurance benefit (if any)
to which he would have been entitled for her entitlement month if he had
survived throughout the period subsequent to his death and ending with such
month, and
`(II) the amount of the husband's insurance benefit (if any) to which he
would have been entitled for her entitlement month based on her wages and
self-employment income if he had survived throughout the period subsequent
to his death and ending with such month (assuming, for purposes of reduction
under subsection (k)(3)(A), the entitlement to an old-age or disability
insurance benefit for such month, if any, as described in subclause (I)).
`(ii) If the deceased individual otherwise would have been entitled (but for
his death) to a disability insurance benefit under section 223 for the month
in which he died, the amount determined under clause (i) shall be determined
as if he had survived throughout the period commencing with the month of his
death and ending with the entitlement month of the widow (or surviving divorced
wife) and he had remained entitled to disability insurance benefits throughout
such period (or until becoming entitled to old-age insurance benefits under
subsection (a) during such period).
`(F) For purposes of subparagraph (C)(i)(II)--
`(i) In the case of a widow (or surviving divorced wife) who is entitled
for her entitlement month to an old-age insurance benefit under subsection
(a) or a disability insurance benefit under section 223, or otherwise would
have been entitled (but for the deceased individual's death) to a wife's
insurance benefit under subsection (b) for such month, the amount of her
imputed survivor benefit for such month is the sum of--
`(I) the amount of such old-age or disability insurance benefit (if any),
and
`(II) the amount of such wife's insurance benefit (if any), assuming,
for purposes of reduction under subsection (k)(3)(A), the entitlement
to an old-age insurance or disability insurance benefit for such month
(if any), as described in subclause (I).
`(ii) In the case of a widow (or surviving divorced wife) who is not described
in clause (i) but has attained (or would attain) age 62 as of the end of
her entitlement month, the amount of her imputed survivor benefit is the
sum of--
`(I) the amount of the old-age insurance benefit under subsection (a)
to which she would be entitled for such month if she filed application
for such benefit during such month, and
`(II) the amount to which she otherwise would have been entitled (but
for the deceased individual's death) as a wife's insurance benefit under
subsection (b) for such month, based on the deceased individual's wages
and self-employment income, if she had filed application for such benefit
during such month (assuming a primary insurance amount for the deceased
individual determined under paragraph (2)(B) of this subsection and assuming,
for purposes of reduction under subsection (k)(3)(A), the entitlement
to an old-age insurance benefit for such month, if any, as described in
subclause (I)).
In any case in which the widow (or surviving divorced wife) would not attain
age 62 before the end of the her entitlement month, her imputed survivor benefit
shall be deemed to be zero.
`(G) The increased benefit cap determined under this subparagraph for the
entitlement month of the widow (or surviving divorced wife) is the amount
which would be the amount of a theoretical individual's old-age insurance
benefit under subsection (a) (reduced as provided in subsection (q)) if--
`(i) such theoretical individual's primary insurance amount for the first
month of entitlement were equal to the average of the primary insurance
amounts upon which old-age insurance benefits under subsection (a) are payable
for--
`(I) in any case in which the entitlement month of the widow (or surviving
divorced wife) is the month of December, such month, or
`(II) in any other case, the latest month of December preceding such entitlement
month,
`(ii) such first month of such theoretical individual's entitlement to such
old-age insurance benefit were the entitlement month of the widow (or surviving
divorced spouse), and
`(iii) the month in which the theoretical individual attained or would attain
retirement age (as defined in section 216(l)) were the month in which the
widow (or surviving divorced wife) attained or would attain retirement age
(as so defined).
`(H) If, in determining the amount of the benefit under this section pursuant
to this paragraph, the imputed old-age insurance benefit or imputed husband's
insurance benefit of the deceased individual was deemed to be zero pursuant
to the last sentence of clause (ii) or (iii) of subparagraph (D), or the imputed
survivor benefit of the widow (or surviving divorced wife) was deemed to be
zero pursuant to the last sentence of subparagraph (F), effective for any
month after the entitlement month of the widow (or surviving divorced wife)
in which the deceased individual would have attained age 62 or she attains
age 62, the Commissioner shall recompute the amount of the benefit under this
paragraph by substituting a reference to such later month for each reference
in the preceding provisions of this paragraph to her entitlement month.
`(I)(i) Any reference in this paragraph to the widow's insurance benefit (as
determined under the preceding paragraphs of this subsection) shall be deemed
a reference to such benefit, taking into account all applicable reductions
and deductions under this title.
`(ii) Any reference in this paragraph to the imputed old-age insurance benefit
or imputed husband's insurance benefit described in subparagraph (D), the
old-age insurance benefit, disability insurance benefit, or husband's insurance
benefit described in subparagraph (E), or the old-age insurance benefit, disability
insurance benefit, or wife's insurance benefit described in subparagraph (F)
shall be deemed a reference to such benefit, taking into account applicable
reductions under this section but disregarding reductions or deductions otherwise
applicable under this title.
`(iii) A widow's insurance benefit which has been increased under this paragraph
shall be subject to all reductions and deductions otherwise applicable to
widow's insurance benefits under this title, except that such benefit shall
not be subject to any reduction otherwise applicable under subsection (q)(1).'.
(b) Widower's Insurance Benefits- Section 202(f) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 402(f))
is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
`(9)(A) In any case in which the amount of a widower's insurance benefit (as
determined under the preceding paragraphs of this subsection) for the entitlement
month of the widower (or surviving divorced husband) is less than the minimum
benefit amount for such month determined under subparagraph (C), the amount
of such benefit for such month and each succeeding month shall be increased
to such minimum benefit amount (or the amount most recently established in
lieu thereof under section 215(i)).
`(B) For purposes of this paragraph, the term `entitlement month' of a widower
(or surviving divorced husband) means, in connection with his benefit under
this subsection, the first month of his entitlement to such benefit.
`(C) For purposes of subparagraph (A), the minimum benefit amount determined
under this subparagraph for the entitlement month of the widower (or surviving
divorced husband) is an amount equal to the lesser of--
`(i) 75 percent of the sum of--
`(I) the imputed deceased individual's benefit for such month, as determined
under subparagraph (D) or (E) (as applicable), and
`(II) the imputed survivor benefit for such month, as determined under
subparagraph (F), or
`(ii) the increased benefit cap determined under subparagraph (G) for such
month.
`(D)(i) For purposes of subparagraph (C)(i)(I), if the deceased individual
died in a month for which she was not entitled to any benefit under this title
based on her wages or self-employment income or the wages and self-employment
income of the widower (or surviving divorced husband), the imputed deceased
individual's benefit for the entitlement month of the widower (or surviving
divorced husband) is the sum of--
`(I) the imputed old-age insurance benefit (determined under clause (ii))
of the deceased individual for his entitlement month (if any), and
`(II) the imputed wife's insurance benefit (determined under clause (iii))
of the deceased individual for his entitlement month (if any).
`(ii) The amount of the imputed old-age insurance benefit of the deceased
individual for the entitlement month of the widower (or surviving divorced
husband) is the amount of the old-age insurance benefit to which she would
have been entitled for such month--
`(I) determined, in the case of such a deceased individual who had attained
age 62 as of the date of her death, as if she had applied for such benefit
in the month of her death and had survived throughout the subsequent period
ending with his entitlement month, or
`(II) determined, in the case of such a deceased individual who died before
attaining age 62 but would have attained age 62 before the end of his entitlement
month, as if she had survived throughout the subsequent period ending with
his entitlement month, and had applied for such benefit during the first
month for which she would have been eligible for such benefit (assuming
a primary insurance amount for the deceased individual determined under
paragraph (2)(B) of this subsection).
For purposes of determining the deceased individual's imputed old-age insurance
benefit under this clause, the determination of whether the deceased individual
was a fully-insured individual (as defined in section 214(a)) shall be made
as of the date of her death. In any case in which the deceased individual
died before attaining age 62 and would not have attained age 62 before the
end of the entitlement month of the widower (or surviving divorced husband),
the deceased individual's imputed old-age insurance benefit shall be deemed
to be zero.
`(iii) The amount of the imputed wife's insurance benefit of the deceased
individual for the entitlement month of the widower (or surviving divorced
husband) is the amount of the wife's insurance benefit under subsection (b)
to which she would have been entitled for such month (assuming, for purposes
of reduction under subsection (k)(3)(A), the entitlement to an old-age insurance
benefit for such month, if any, as described in clause (ii))--
`(I) determined, in the case of such a deceased individual who had attained
age 62 as of the date of her death, as if she had applied for such benefit
in the month of her death and had survived throughout the subsequent period
ending with his entitlement month, or
`(II) determined, in the case of such a deceased individual who died before
attaining age 62 but would have attained age 62 before the end of his entitlement
month, as if she had survived throughout the subsequent period ending with
his entitlement month and had applied for such benefit during the first
month for which she would have been eligible for such benefit.
In any case in which the deceased individual died before she attained age
62 and would not have attained age 62 before the end of the entitlement month
of the widower (or surviving divorced husband), the deceased individual's
imputed husband's insurance benefit shall be deemed to be zero.
`(E)(i) For purposes of subparagraph (C), if the deceased individual died
during a month for which she otherwise would have been entitled (but for her
death) to an old-age insurance benefit under subsection (a) or a disability
insurance benefit under section 223, or to a wife's insurance benefit under
subsection (b) based on the wages and self-employment income of the widower
(or surviving divorced husband), the imputed deceased individual's benefit
for the entitlement month of the widower (or surviving divorced husband) is
the sum of--
`(I) the amount of the old-age or disability insurance benefit (if any)
to which she would have been entitled for his entitlement month if she had
survived throughout the period subsequent to her death and ending with such
month, and
`(II) the amount of the wife's insurance benefit (if any) to which she would
have been entitled for his entitlement month based on his wages and self-employment
income if she had survived throughout the period subsequent to her death
and ending with such month (assuming, for purposes of reduction under subsection
(k)(3)(A), the entitlement to an old-age or disability insurance benefit
for such month, if any, as described in subclause (I)).
`(ii) If the deceased individual otherwise would have been entitled (but for
her death) to a disability insurance benefit under section 223 for the month
in which she died, the amount determined under clause (i) shall be determined
as if she had survived throughout the period commencing with the month of
her death and ending with the entitlement month of the widower (or surviving
divorced husband) and she had remained entitled to disability insurance benefits
throughout such period (or until becoming entitled to old-age insurance benefits
under subsection (a) during such period).
`(F) For purposes of subparagraph (C)(i)(II)--
`(i) In the case of a widower (or surviving divorced husband) who is entitled
for his entitlement month to an old-age insurance benefit under subsection
(a) or a disability insurance benefit under section 223, or otherwise would
have been entitled (but for the deceased individual's death) to a husband's
insurance benefit under subsection (c) for such month, the amount of her
imputed survivor benefit for such month is the sum of--
`(I) the amount of such old-age or disability insurance benefit (if any),
and
`(II) the amount of such husband's insurance benefit (if any), assuming,
for purposes of reduction under subsection (k)(3)(A), the entitlement
to an old-age insurance or disability insurance benefit for such month
(if any), as described in subclause (I).
`(ii) In the case of a widower (or surviving divorced husband) who is not
described in clause (i) but has attained (or would attain) age 62 as of
the end of his entitlement month, the amount of his imputed survivor benefit
is the sum of--
`(I) the amount of the old-age insurance benefit under subsection (a)
to which he would be entitled for such month if he filed application for
such benefit during such month, and
`(II) the amount to which he otherwise would have been entitled (but for
the deceased individual's death) as a husband's insurance benefit under
subsection (c) for such month, based on the deceased individual's wages
and self-employment income, if he had filed application for such benefit
during such month (assuming a primary insurance amount for the deceased
individual determined under paragraph (2)(B) of this subsection and assuming,
for purposes of reduction under subsection (k)(3)(A), the entitlement
to an old-age insurance benefit for such month, if any, as described in
subclause (I)).
In any case in which the widower (or surviving divorced husband) would not
attain age 62 before the end of the his entitlement month, his imputed survivor
benefit shall be deemed to be zero.
`(G) The increased benefit cap determined under this subparagraph for the
entitlement month of the widower (or surviving divorced husband) is the amount
which would be the amount of a theoretical individual's old-age insurance
benefit under subsection (a) (reduced as provided in subsection (q)) if--
`(i) such theoretical individual's primary insurance amount for the first
month of entitlement were equal to the average of the primary insurance
amounts upon which old-age insurance benefits under subsection (a) are payable
for--
`(I) in any case in which the entitlement month of the widower (or surviving
divorced husband) is the month of December, such month, or
`(II) in any other case, the latest month of December preceding such entitlement
month,
`(ii) such first month of such theoretical individual's entitlement to such
old-age insurance benefit were the entitlement month of the widower (or
surviving divorced husband), and
`(iii) the month in which the theoretical individual attained or would attain
retirement age (as defined in section 216(l)) were the month in which the
widower (or surviving divorced husband) attained or would attain retirement
age (as so defined).
`(H) If, in determining the amount of the benefit under this section pursuant
to this paragraph, the imputed old-age insurance benefit or imputed wife's
insurance benefit of the deceased individual was deemed to be zero pursuant
to the last sentence of clause (ii) or (iii) of subparagraph (D), or the imputed
survivor benefit of the widower (or surviving divorced husband) was deemed
to be zero pursuant to the last sentence of subparagraph (F), effective for
any month after the entitlement month of the widower (or surviving divorced
husband) in which the deceased individual would have attained age 62 or he
attains age 62, the Commissioner shall recompute the amount of the benefit
under this paragraph by substituting a reference to such later month for each
reference in the preceding provisions of this paragraph to her entitlement
month.
`(I)(i) Any reference in this paragraph to the widower's insurance benefit
(as determined under the preceding paragraphs of this subsection) shall be
deemed a reference to such benefit, taking into account all applicable reductions
and deductions under this title.
`(ii) Any reference in this paragraph to the imputed old-age insurance benefit
or imputed wife's insurance benefit described in subparagraph (D), the old-age
insurance benefit, disability insurance benefit, or wife's insurance benefit
described in subparagraph (E), or the old-age insurance benefit, disability
insurance benefit, or husband's insurance benefit described in subparagraph
(F) shall be deemed a reference to such benefit, taking into account applicable
reductions under this section but disregarding reductions or deductions otherwise
applicable under this title.
`(iii) A widower's insurance benefit which has been increased under this paragraph
shall be subject to all reductions and deductions otherwise applicable to
widower's insurance benefits under this title, except that such benefit shall
not be subject to any reduction otherwise applicable under subsection (q)(1).'.
(c) Cost-of-Living Adjustments to Guaranteed Widow's and Widower's Insurance
Benefits- Section 215(i)(2)(A)(ii) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 415(i)(2)(A)(ii))
is amended--
(1) in subclause (II), by striking `and' at the end;
(2) in subclause (III), by striking `1978.' and inserting `1979, and';
(3) by adding at the end the following new subclause:
`(IV) the benefit amount to which an individual is entitled for that month
under subsection (e) or (f) of section 202 if such benefit amount has been
increased under paragraph (10) of such subsection.'; and
(4) in the matter following subclause (IV) (added by paragraph (3)), by
striking `(I), (II), and (III)' and inserting `(I), (II), (III), and (IV)'.
(d) Effective Date- The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect
to widow's and widower's insurance benefits for which applications are filed
in months after November 2005.
SEC. 16. LIMITATION ON BENEFITS OF MARRIED COUPLE TO LEVEL OF MAXIMUM WORKER
BENEFITS.
(a) Wife's Insurance Benefits- Section 202(b)(2) of the Social Security Act
(42 U.S.C. 402(b)(2)) is amended to read as follows:
`(2) Except as provided in subsections (k)(5) and (q), such wife's insurance
benefit for each month shall be equal to the excess (not less than zero) of--
`(i) 150 percent of her husband's primary insurance amount, or
`(ii) the primary insurance amount for such month of a hypothetical individual--
`(I) who is entitled to old-age insurance insurance benefits for such
month,
`(II) who became entitled to such benefit upon attaining age 62 during
the month in which her husband became entitled to old-age insurance
benefits, and
`(III) to whom wages and self-employment income were credited in each
of such hypothetical individual's elapsed years (within the meaning
of section 215(b)(2)(B)(iii)) in an amount equal to the maximum amount
includible under this title as wages and self-employment income for
such year, over
`(B) the primary insurance amount of her husband.'.
(b) Husband's Insurance Benefits- Section 202(c)(2) of such Act (42 U.S.C.
402(c)(2)) is amended to read as follows:
`(2) Except as provided in subsections (k)(5) and (q), such husband's insurance
benefit for each month shall be equal to the excess (not less than zero) of--
`(i) 150 percent of his wife's primary insurance amount, or
`(ii) the primary insurance amount for such month of a hypothetical individual--
`(I) who is entitled to old-age insurance insurance benefits for such
month,
`(II) who became entitled to such benefit upon attaining age 62 during
the month in which his wife became entitled to old-age insurance benefits,
and
`(III) to whom wages and self-employment income were credited in each
of such hypothetical individual's elapsed years (within the meaning
of section 215(b)(2)(B)(iii)) in an amount equal to the maximum amount
includible under this title as wages and self-employment income for
such year, over
`(B) the primary insurance amount of his wife.'.
(c) Application of Family Maximum- Section 203(a) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 403(a))
is amended by adding at the end the following:
`(11) For purposes of determining under this subsection the amount of reduction
in total monthly benefits to which beneficiaries may be entitled for a month
on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of an individual, the
amount of a wife's insurance benefit or a husband's insurance benefit for
each month based on such wages and self-employment income shall be deemed
to be equal to one-half of the primary insurance amount of the individual
for such month (subject to subsections (k)(5) and (q) of section 202).'.
(d) Effective Date- The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect
to wife's insurance benefits and husband's insurance benefits in cases in
which the spouse becomes eligible for old-age insurance benefits or disability
insurance benefits in any calendar year after 2005.
END