Congress·In Committee·S. 4001

Sen. Warren Introduces Bill to Raise SSI Benefits to Poverty Level and End Marriage Penalty

Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act of 2026

15 days ago·View on Congress.gov

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Key Points

The bill would raise SSI monthly payments to match the federal poverty level for individuals, and married couples would receive twice that amount — effectively ending the longstanding "marriage penalty" that discouraged SSI recipients from marrying.
From policy text
“for calendar years after 2026, at the rate equal to the annual poverty guideline for the calendar year preceding such calendar year”
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Asset limits would jump dramatically — from $2,000 to $10,000 for individuals and from $3,000 to $20,000 for couples — and would be adjusted for inflation each year using a price index that tracks costs for older Americans.
Retirement accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs would no longer count toward SSI's asset limit, so recipients could save for retirement without being kicked off the program.
From policy text
“any qualified retirement plan or eligible deferred compensation plan (as such terms are defined in sections 4974(c) and 457(b), respectively, of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986).”
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In-kind support — like a family member paying for groceries or letting someone live rent-free — would no longer reduce a person's SSI check, removing a rule that punished recipients for accepting help from loved ones.
From policy text
“(other than support or maintenance furnished in kind)”
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For the first time, full SSI benefits would be extended to residents of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa, treating them the same as people in the 50 states and D.C.
From policy text
“Such term when used in title XVI includes Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa.”
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The general income exclusion would rise from $240 to $1,892 per year, and the earned income exclusion would jump from $780 to $6,149 per year, both indexed to inflation — allowing recipients to earn significantly more without losing benefits.

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Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Who is affectedScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

State Impacts

StateScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions

Mar 5, 2026Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Mar 5, 2026

Introduced in Senate

Related News

4 articles

CNBC·15 days ago

Lawmakers to introduce bill strengthening federal anti-poverty program: It's 'a critical lifeline,' Warren says

A bipartisan group of lawmakers led by Sen. Elizabeth Warren introduced the SSI Restoration Act of 2026 to modernize the program by raising benefit levels to the poverty line and increasing asset limits for the first time in decades to help nearly 8 million seniors and disabled Americans.

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KUAM News·8 days ago

Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act introduced

Congressman James Moylan joined a bipartisan group to introduce legislation extending SSI eligibility to Guam and other U.S. territories. The bill would also modernize rules nationwide by increasing asset limits to $10,000 and raising benefit levels to match the federal poverty line.

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The Economic Times·8 days ago

SSI overhaul could reshape benefits for 7.4 million Americans — what to know

Lawmakers have reintroduced the Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act, a bill designed to update key rules for the program supporting 7.4 million people. Proposed changes include increasing income exclusion limits, raising resource thresholds, and eliminating the marriage penalty.

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