What the SWIFT Act does

The SWIFT Act (Strengthening Work Incentives and Financial Transparency Act) is a proposed change to Social Security rules that would let more people receive survivor benefits without losing them if they work and earn money. Right now, if you are a widow, widower, or surviving child receiving benefits based on a worker who died, earning above a certain amount causes the Social Security Administration to reduce or stop your payments. The SWIFT Act would change how that earnings limit works, letting you keep more of your benefits even as you earn more.

The bill has been introduced in Congress but has not yet become law. It does not automatically change your benefits — it would only take effect if Congress passes it and the President signs it. This guide explains what the proposal would do, who it would affect, and what the current rules are now.

Key Takeaways

  • The SWIFT Act would raise or remove the earnings limit that currently reduces survivor benefits when you work, though the exact new limit depends on which version of the bill passes.
  • Survivor benefits go to widows, widowers, and children of workers who have died, and currently stop or shrink if you earn more than about $23,400 per year (the amount changes yearly).
  • The bill would not change who can receive survivor benefits — only how much you keep if you work while receiving them.
  • Because the SWIFT Act is still proposed legislation, you should continue following the current earnings rules until and unless Congress passes it into law.

Who currently receives survivor benefits

Survivor benefits are monthly payments from Social Security to family members of a worker who has died. You may receive them if you are a widow or widower age 60 or older (or 50 or older if disabled), a widow or widower of any age caring for the worker's child under 16, or an unmarried child of the worker under 19 (or 19 if still in high school full-time). Divorced spouses and stepchildren may also receive benefits under certain conditions.

The amount you receive is based on how much the deceased worker earned during their lifetime. Social Security calculates a family benefit, which is a percentage of what the worker would have received if they were still alive. That total is then divided among all may be able to access family members.

How the current earnings limit works

Right now, if you receive survivor benefits and earn wages from work, Social Security reduces your benefits by $1 for every $2 you earn above the annual limit. For 2024, that limit is $23,400. If you earn $25,400, for example, Social Security would reduce your benefits by $1,000 that year.

The earnings limit applies only to work income — it does not count investment income, pensions, or other types of money. Also, the limit only applies to you as an individual. If you are a widow receiving benefits and your child also receives benefits, each of you has your own earnings limit. Only your earnings affect your payment; your child's earnings do not reduce yours.

The earnings limit changes each year based on national wage trends. Social Security announces the new limit in October for the following year. If you earn more than the limit in a given year, you report it when you file your taxes, and Social Security adjusts your payments accordingly.

What the SWIFT Act would change

The SWIFT Act would raise the earnings limit significantly or remove it entirely, depending on which version Congress considers. Some versions of the bill would set a much higher limit — for example, $50,000 or more per year — while other versions would eliminate the limit altogether. The exact change is not yet final because the bill has not passed.

The goal of the change is to remove a barrier to work. Many survivor benefit recipients are working-age people — young widows or widowers, or adult children of deceased workers — and the current earnings limit can discourage them from taking jobs or working more hours because doing so costs them benefits. By raising or removing the limit, the SWIFT Act would let people earn more without losing their survivor payments.

The bill would not change the amount of survivor benefits themselves. It would not make more people may be able to access for benefits. It would only change the rule about what happens to your benefits if you work.

Timeline and current status

The SWIFT Act has been introduced in Congress but has not yet passed both chambers or been signed into law. Congressional bills can take months or years to move through committee, debate, and voting — or they may not pass at all. There is no set date for a vote, and the bill's status changes as Congress works on it.

You can check the current status of the bill by visiting Congress.gov and searching for "SWIFT Act" or the bill number. That site shows whether the bill is in committee, has been voted on, or has stalled. Social Security also publishes updates about proposed changes on its website.

Until the bill becomes law, the current earnings limit remains in effect. You should continue to report your earnings to Social Security and expect your benefits to be reduced if you earn above the annual limit.

What to do if you receive survivor benefits and work

If you are receiving survivor benefits and have work income, report your earnings to Social Security. You can do this online through your My Social Security account, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. Social Security will use your reported earnings to calculate whether your benefits should be reduced that year.

Keep records of your income — pay stubs, tax forms, or self-employment records — because Social Security may ask to see them. If you earn significantly more than the limit, it is better to report it yourself than to wait for Social Security to discover it later, because that can result in overpayments that you may have to repay.

If the SWIFT Act does pass and the earnings limit changes, Social Security will notify you of the new rule. You do not have to do anything to update your account — the change will apply automatically to your benefits going forward.

How the SWIFT Act fits into broader Social Security changes

The SWIFT Act is one of several proposals in Congress aimed at making Social Security work better for people who are still working. Other proposals focus on raising the full retirement age, changing how benefits are calculated, or adjusting payroll taxes. The SWIFT Act is narrower — it focuses only on the earnings limit for survivor benefits.

Social Security faces long-term funding challenges because the number of people receiving benefits is growing while the number of workers paying into the system is shrinking. Congress will eventually have to make changes to the program's finances. The SWIFT Act does not address funding; it only changes one rule about who keeps how much of their benefits if they work.

Frequently Asked Questions

If the SWIFT Act passes, will my survivor benefits go up?

No. The SWIFT Act would not increase the amount of your monthly benefit. It would only change the earnings limit, so you would lose less or no benefit money if you work and earn above the current limit. Your base payment amount would stay the same.

Does the SWIFT Act change who can get survivor benefits?

No. The bill does not expand or restrict who is may be able to access for survivor benefits. It only changes the earnings rule for people who already receive them. If you do not currently may have access to for survivor benefits, the SWIFT Act would not make you may be able to access.

What should I do right now if I am working and receiving survivor benefits?

Continue to report your earnings to Social Security under the current rules. Do not wait for the SWIFT Act to pass or change your reporting. If you earn above the annual limit, your benefits will be reduced this year, but you should still report honestly so you do not create an overpayment debt.

How do I learn about the SWIFT Act has passed?

Visit Congress.gov and search for "SWIFT Act" to see the bill's current status. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and ask whether the earnings limit has changed. Social Security will notify you by mail if a new law affects your benefits.

Will the SWIFT Act affect my child's survivor benefits?

If your child receives survivor benefits based on the deceased worker, the SWIFT Act would apply to your child's earnings the same way it applies to yours — by raising or removing the earnings limit. Each family member's benefits are calculated separately based on their own earnings.