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CRS Updates Report on Social Security Benefits for Spouses and Survivors
On February 6, 2019, the Congressional Research Service (CRS) released its updated report, Social Security: Revisiting Benefits for Spouses and Survivors. The report provides an overview of: 1) the current-law structure of the adequacy and equity of the auxiliary benefits for spouses, surviving spouses, and divorced spouses; and 2) the issues concerning the current-law structure of auxiliary benefits.
The report also discusses some recent proposals to modify Social Security’s current structure of spousal and survivors benefits. These proposals have different potential consequences regarding: 1) benefit levels of current, surviving, and divorced spouses; 2) redistribution of benefits among couples from different socioeconomic levels; 3) eligibility of means-tested programs such as Supplemental Security Income; and 4) work incentives.
The report is available here.