SWIFT Act

The SWIFT Act (S 2741) amends Social Security benefits for widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses with disabilities. It eliminates age restrictions for disability benefits (previously requiring age 50-60), removes reductions for benefits claimed before retirement age, and increases the age limit for child-in-care benefits from 16 to 18 (or 19 for full-time students). The bill creates new provisions to increase survivor benefits for those who delay claiming benefits, with effective dates starting January 1, 2025. It also requires the Social Security Administration to provide a booklet explaining survivors' benefits and mail it to survivors following a death on or after January 1, 2025. This legislation directly affects individuals qualifying for survivor benefits under Social Security, particularly those with disabilities or caring for children.