New Bill Proposes Lowering Social Security Retirement Age for Physically Demanding Jobs
A new bill introduced by Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) aims to lower the full retirement age under Social Security from 67 to 60 for workers in physically demanding jobs, such as construction and nursing. The Blue Collar Social Security Fairness Act would allow eligible individuals to claim their full benefits at age 60 if they meet specific work history criteria based on a weighted points system tied to years spent in qualifying occupations. The bill acknowledges the physical toll of blue-collar labor and seeks to provide fairer retirement access for those who may struggle to remain employed until traditional retirement ages. The Social Security Administration would be responsible for defining eligible jobs, which will be updated every three years based on Bureau of Labor Statistics criteria. Workers do not need a full career in such roles but must accumulate 15 points or have at least 20 qualifying work years. The proposal comes amid growing concerns about the long-term solvency of Social Security and ongoing debates over how to address funding shortfalls without imposing broad benefit cuts.
Topics: Blue Collar Workers Legislation Retirement Age Social Security