To amend title II of the Social Security Act to eliminate the two-year waiting period for divorced spouse's benefits following the divorce.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jul 30, 2019

This bill eliminates the two-year waiting period following a divorce for a divorced spouse to become entitled to a former spouse's Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance benefits.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Lowey, Nita M. [D-NY-17] · D–NY

Committees

Ways and Means Committee

1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Rep. Schneider, Bradley Scott [D-IL-10]

Legislative record

Actions

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Jul 30, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security.
Jul 30, 2019
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Jul 30, 2019
Introduced in House
Jul 30, 2019
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Jul 30, 2019 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

HR 4592 · To amend title II of the Social Security Act to eliminate the two-year waiting period for divorced spouse's benefits following the divorce.

Source last updated: Jan 3, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.4124 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4124, 116th Congress: To amend title II of the Social Security Act to eliminate the two-year waiting period for divorced spouse's benefits following the divorce.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/4124

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2019-07-30.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr4124/BILLS-116hr4124ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-03T03:09:44Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.4124 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.4124 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4124, 116th Congress: To amend title II of the Social Security Act to eliminate the two-year waiting period for divorced spouse's benefits following the divorce.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/4124

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2019-07-30.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr4124/BILLS-116hr4124ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-03T03:09:44Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4124 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.4124 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4124, 116th Congress: To amend title II of the Social Security Act to eliminate the two-year waiting period for divorced spouse's benefits following the divorce.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/4124

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2019-07-30.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr4124/BILLS-116hr4124ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-03T03:09:44Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4124 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.4124 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4124, 116th Congress: To amend title II of the Social Security Act to eliminate the two-year waiting period for divorced spouse's benefits following the divorce.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/4124

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2019-07-30.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr4124/BILLS-116hr4124ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-03T03:09:44Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4124 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.