{
  "id": 18204499,
  "title": "Social Security Update: Democrat Ideas for Major Changes After Midterm Win",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/social-security-update-democrat-ideas-for-major-changes-after-midterm",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-04T23:38:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Newsweek",
    "slug": "newsweek",
    "url": "https://www.newsweek.com/social-security-update-democrat-ideas-for-major-changes-after-midterm-win-12667223"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Democrats' recent victory in midterm elections could potentially bring ambitious Social Security proposals back to the congressional agenda. President Donald Trump, however, retains the power to veto any legislation passed by the new Congress. The Social Security Old-Age and Survivors Insurance trust fund is projected to exhaust its reserves by 2032, meaning benefits could only cover about 78 percent of scheduled retirement and survivor benefits if no changes are made. Democratic lawmakers are considering several ideas to address this issue, including raising the cap on Social Security payroll taxes for high earners and altering how cost-of-living adjustments are calculated. Senator Bernie Sanders and other Democrats have proposed a COLA based on the spending levels of older Americans, rather than the current consumer price index. Meanwhile, Representative John Larson's Social Security 2100 Act would provide an across-the-board increase in benefits, eliminate the five-month waiting period for Social Security Disability Insurance, and broaden Social Security taxation beyond wages to include certain net investment income.",
  "summary": "Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress in Tuesday’s midterms, so the party could advance legislation.",
  "key_points": [
    "Democrats won recent midterm elections, potentially bringing Social Security reforms.",
    "Trust fund to exhaust reserves by 2032, benefits would cover 78% of scheduled payments.",
    "Ideas include raising payroll tax cap, altering COLA calculation, and expanding taxation."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}