ICYMI: Welch, Amo, Warren Lead Bicameral Bill to Update and Expand Social Security Survivor Benefits, Provide Financial Relief to Families

ICYMI: Welch, Amo, Warren Lead Bicameral Bill to Update and Expand Social Security Survivor Benefits, Provide Financial Relief to Families

Warren: "Democrats are fighting hard to expand benefits and provide relief so families can stay afloat."

Senate Dems' Social Security War Room is coordinated effort to fight back against Trump admin Social Security attacks

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Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, and U.S. Representative Gabe Amo (D-RI-01) introduced the Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act, bicameral legislation to increase the Social Security Administration's (SSA) lump-sum death benefit, which covers costs associated with cremation or burials for surviving family members, to account for inflation. This legislation would increase survivors' death benefit-currently amounting to just $255-for the first time in 70 years. Beginning in 2026, beneficiaries' survivors would receive $2,900.

"Donald Trump's chaotic tariffs and skyrocketing costs are already squeezing American families-losing a loved one shouldn't be the reason they go broke," said Senator Warren. "Democrats are fighting hard to expand benefits and provide relief so families can stay afloat."

"Funeral costs should be the last thing on the minds of grieving families when they lose a loved one. But because benefits designed to help folks afford funeral expenses haven't kept pace with inflation, the cost of burying a loved one has become top of mind for many mourning families," said Senator Welch. "This commonsense bill, inspired by the experiences of Vermonters, will update Social Security death benefits to help alleviate financial burdens for families following the loss of a loved one."

"Families experiencing a loss should not have to struggle to afford a funeral for their loved one," said Rep. Amo. "I'm proud to introduce the Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act with Senator Peter Welch to raise the amount a family can receive to help cover end of life costs for the first time in 70 years and index the benefit to inflation going forward. I will keep fighting in Washington to lower costs for Rhode Islanders, including at the most difficult moments."

The legislation would index the SSA death benefit to the Consumer Price Index to ensure this benefit is aligned with other Social Security benefits, akin to the annual Cost-of-Living Adjustments. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act was inspired and shaped by a letter Senator Welch received from a Vermont constituent concerned about how the outdated benefit would create financial burdens for their surviving family members.

Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) are cosponsors of the legislation.

"This bill will modernize an important feature of Social Security to give families real financial relief and dignity as they grieve a loved one," said Senator Whitehouse. "I'm glad to join my good friend Congressman Amo on legislation that further strengthens Social Security for the future."

"Our legislation eases the burden of funeral expenses for American families by adjusting Social Security benefits associated with burials and cremation to account for rising costs. Families grieving a loved one should receive increased Social Security benefits to alleviate the crushing financial burden and stress of burial expenses," said Senator Blumenthal.

"Despite Social Security's lump-sum death benefit remaining stagnant at $255 for over 70 years, the costs of funerals have increased ten-fold, costing thousands of dollars for grieving families," said Senator Booker. "No one should have to worry about increasing funeral expenses, especially after losing a loved one. This legislation would make long-overdue updates to our Social Security system to ensure survivor benefits reflect the financial and emotional challenges families face during the loss of a family member."

"A death in the family is already one of life's hardest moments. The Social Security death benefit exists to ease stress for survivors making final arrangements for loved ones, but this benefit hasn't been updated in decades. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act increases benefits to reflect costs and lowers the burden for families in grief," said Senator Markey.

The Social Security Administration provides a lump-sum death benefit to survivors of a beneficiary to help families offset funeral costs. The lump sum payment, which is provided to surviving spouses, dependent children under 18, or children with disabilities, was capped at $255 in 1954.

In the 1950s, a full memorial and cremation service cost around $700. In Vermont, the average cost for a funeral with a viewing and cremation is $7,023. Nationwide, the median cost of a funeral with a viewing is $8,300, while the average cost for a funeral with cremation is $6,280. Despite this increase in cost, the SSA's lump-sum death benefit has remained stagnant at $255.

The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act is endorsed by the Alliance for Retired Americans; American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE); American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME); American Federation of Teachers (AFT); Justice in Aging; National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare; National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR); Social Security Works; Strengthen Social Security Coalition; and the Women's Institute for a Secure Retirement (WISER).

"It's been 70 years since Social Security's lump-sum death benefit, currently $255, was last increased. This bill raises the benefit to $2,900 and indexes it to inflation, to better reflect the cost associated with burying a loved one," said Richard Fiesta, Executive Director, Alliance for Retired Americans. "Grieving families deserve more meaningful assistance at a difficult and painful moment in their lives."

"AFGE is proud to support Senator Welch's Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act. This long-overdue legislation would raise the Social Security death benefit to help keep family members from being impoverished by basic funeral expenses for a loved one. It is the least we can do as we continue to pursue the modernization of Social Security - the greatest anti-poverty program the country has ever known," said Everett B. Kelley, National President, American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO (AFGE).

"Working families are being squeezed by rising costs on every front, and if tragedy strikes, this financial strain can become overwhelming. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act will bring meaningful relief to families when they need it most, finally adjusting these benefits for inflation for the first time in more than 70 years. AFSCME members know how easily a family can slip into poverty after losing a loved one, and they see every day how critical this lifeline can be. We thank Sens. Welch, Sanders and Warren for easing the financial burden on families so they can move forward with dignity," said Lee Saunders, President, AFSCME.

"The death of a spouse or parent brings profound economic pain for families that only adds to the stress of grieving. The Social Security lump-sum survivor benefit was created to help but remains meager and has completely failed to keep up with the cost of living. Sen. Welch's Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act would finally increase the lump-sum death benefit from $255 to $2,900 and index it to inflation. It's a compassionate move that would make a huge difference for people grappling with loss-and it's simply the right thing to do. We fully support it and urge Congress to pass it," said Randi Weingarten, President, AFT.

"Among the lesser known and utilized benefits provided under the Social Security Act is a lump-sum amount payable upon the death of a beneficiary which was intended to help the surviving family pay for a beneficiary's funeral expenses. The last time the amount was adjusted was seventy years ago, when funerals only cost about $700. The Social Security Survivor Benefits Equity Act would adjust the death benefit to account for inflation, providing some relief to families facing financial and emotional burdens following the death of a loved one. Increasing the level would also provide an incentive for more families to claim the benefit, thus advancing the President's goal of increased accuracy in timely and accurate reporting of the death of Social Security beneficiaries," said Max Richtmann, President and CEO, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare.

"For decades, the Social Security lump-sum death benefit has remained virtually unchanged, failing to reflect the realities families face when a loved one passes away. By updating and indexing this payment to inflation, Senator Welch's legislation ensures that Social Security continues to provide meaningful, timely support to surviving spouses and families at one of the most difficult moments in their lives. NOSSCR appreciates Senator Welch's leadership in modernizing this vital but long-overlooked aspect of the Social Security program," said Betsy Rosecan, Government Relations Director, NOSSCR.

"When families lose a loved one, the last thing they should have to worry about is how they will pay for the funeral. Social Security includes a lump-sum death benefit, which should help to cover those costs. However, the value of that benefit has greatly deteriorated. Shockingly, the last time it was increased was almost three-quarters of a century ago. Social Security Works enthusiastically endorses the Social Security Benefits Equity Act, which restores this important component of Social Security so that it once again provides peace of mind during life's most difficult moments. The American people owe Senator Welch an enormous debt of gratitude for this important legislation," Nancy J. Altman, President, Social Security Works.

"This bill is important for widows who are worried about outliving their savings and ending up without resources at the end of their lives," said Cindy Hounsel, President, Women's Institute for a Secure Retirement (WISER).

In October 2025, Senator Warren led her colleagues in introducing the Social Security Emergency Inflation Relief Act. With America's seniors facing quickly rising costs in Trump's economy, her bill will provide rapid relief by expanding Social Security and Veterans Affairs benefits by $200 per month for six months. The Social Security Emergency Inflation Relief Act would provide critical relief to Americans living on a fixed income by providing a $200 per month emergency increase to Social Security checks until July 2026 and supporting all Title II Social Security beneficiaries, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries, Railroad Retirement beneficiaries, veteran disability compensation, and veteran pension benefit annuitants.

Senate Dems' Social Security War Room coordinates messaging across the Senate Democratic Caucus and external stakeholders, encourages grassroots engagement by providing opportunities for Americans to share what Social Security means to them, and educates Senate staff, the American public, and stakeholders about Republicans' agenda and their continued cuts to Americans' Social Security services and benefits.

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