House Passes Smucker Legislation to Strengthen Social Security and Protect Families

Legislation to help seniors maximize retirement benefits, protect children from identity fraud passed the House with near unanimous support.

WASHINGTON – This week, the House of Representatives passed two important pieces of legislation introduced by Rep. Lloyd Smucker (PA-11), senior member of the Ways and Means Committee and Vice Chairman of the Budget Committee, the Claiming Age Clarity Act (H.R. 5284) and the Social Security Child Protection Act (H.R. 5348).

“This legislation ensures the Social Security Administration (SSA) works better and more efficiently for American seniors and families,”said Rep. Smucker. “The Claiming Age Clarity Act improves outdated language to help seniors understand and maximize their retirement benefits, and the Child Protection Act cuts bureaucratic deadlock to better assist families when a child is at risk for fraud when the Social Security number is lost or stolen in the mail.”

“Helping protect children from identity fraud and assisting seniors in receiving the benefits they rightfully deserve is something all of Washington should agree with, and I am thankful that my House colleagues supported these straightforward solutions.”

The Claiming Age Clarity Act (H.R. 5284)

This legislation would modernize outdated language used by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to help seniors better understand the timing of their decisions to claim retirement benefits.

“Millions of Americans are counting on their hard-earned Social Security benefits to help ensure they have the financial resources they need in retirement,” said Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08). “Unfortunately, under current practice, many Americans could end up forgoing some of those resources if they are unable to decipher the Social Security Administration’s misleading or confusing terminology when it comes to deciding when to begin claiming benefits. Thanks to the leadership of Congressman Smucker, Congress is advancing a solution that will bring needed simplicity to the language used by the Social Security Administration and help ease the stress of retirement planning.”

Early Eligibility Age would become Minimum Benefit Age – This is age 62, the earliest age at which someone can begin receiving retirement benefits. Full Retirement Age would become Standard Benefit Age – This is age 66-67 depending on an individual’s birth year. Delayed Retirement Age would become Maximum Benefit Age – This is age 70, the latest age at which someone can begin receiving retirement benefits.

Rep. Don Beyer (VA-08) co-sponsored this bill, and Sens. Bill Cassidy, Christopher Coons, Susan Collins, and Tim Kaine have introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

AARP, BPC Action, and AMAC Action endorsed this legislation. Read the endorsement letter here.

Watch Rep. Smucker’s full remarks on H.R.5284: 

The Social Security Child Protection Act (H.R. 5348)

This legislation would require the SSA to administer a new Social Security number to a child under 14 years of age if the card was lost or stolen in the mail, helping to prevent fraud before it occurs.

“A single act of identity theft can lead to a lifetime of financial harm,” said Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08). “Thanks to Representative Smucker’s leadership, the Social Security Child Protection Act of 2025 will ensure that families don’t have to wait and can immediately secure a new Social Security number if their child’s card is compromised, addressing a problem in government that has left too many families without recourse.”

Watch Rep. Smucker’s full remarks on H.R.5348: