Keeping the Promise: Kennedy Urges Passage of Social Security 2100 Act

Standing with Faith Leaders, Community Members, Elected Officials, Kennedy Calls on Congress to Expand Benefits, Protect Seniors from Trump-era Cuts, and Make the Wealthy Pay Their Fair Share Social Security is Currently Projected to Begin Depletion in 2032, Decreasing Benefits LACKAWANNA, N.Y. – Standing alongside faith leaders, community members, and elected officials at Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Lackawanna, Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) called on Congress to pass the Social Security 2100 Act, legislation that would expand Social Security benefits and strengthen the program’s long-term viability by making the wealthiest pay their fair share. The bill, introduced by Rep. John Larson (CT-01), would also reverse the Trump Administration cuts to Social Security Administration (SSA) staff and services. Critically, the legislation would eliminate the $184,500 payroll tax cap so higher income earners contribute above the current wage limit, ensuring the long-term solvency of the Social Security Trust Fund. According to the SSA, the Trust Fund is projected to be depleted by 2032, at which point benefits will be scaled back for retirees. 1 “Social Security is not a handout – it’s a promise that is earned over a lifetime of work, and Western New York seniors have a right to expect that promise be kept, not broken,” said Congressman Kennedy. “For too long, future generations have stared down a weakened Social Security system that they won’t be able to depend on in their retirement years. The Social Security 2100 Act changes that. It makes the wealthy pay their fair share, boosts benefits, and undoes the damage the Trump Administration has inflicted on a critical agency that seniors rely on. I won’t stop fighting to save Social Security and ensure that future generations can receive the benefits they have paid into and have rightfully earned.” “Social Security is a promise we must keep to our Americans who earned it,” said Erie County Legislator Lawrence Dupre. “The Social Security 2100 Act strengthens the program, asks the wealthiest Americans to finally pay their fair share, and protects the personal data of millions of Americans. Congress must act now to safeguard Social Security for current and future generations.” “Social Security is more than a federal program—it is a promise our country made to generations of Americans who worked hard, paid into the system and now depend on it. Here in Lackawanna, many of our residents rely on Social Security for financial security and peace of mind. Therefore, we stand with Congressman Kennedy in his efforts to build support for the Social Security 2100 Act. This proposed bill keeps the promise to those who earned these benefits, protects current Social Security recipients, and ensures the program remains available for future generations,” said Mayor Annette Iafallo, City of Lackawanna. “Social Security isn’t a handout—it’s an earned benefit and a promise to generations of working people who paid into it with every paycheck. After a lifetime of hard work, no retiree should have to wonder whether that promise will be there for them. The Social Security 2100 Act strengthens Social Security for today’s retirees and future generations while asking the wealthiest Americans to pay their fair share. UAW Region 9 is proud to stand with Congressman Tim Kennedy in protecting the retirement security working people have earned and deserve,” said Wence Valentin III, UAW Region 9 Political/Retiree Director. “The Social Security 2100 Act recognizes that seniors face rising health care costs. By using an inflation measure that better reflects seniors’ medical expenses—and protecting Medicaid eligibility when Social Security benefits increase—we can strengthen retirement security without forcing vulnerable Americans to choose between financial stability and access to health care,” said Dr. Lavonne Ansari. In addition to eliminating the payroll tax cap, the Social Security 2100 Act would add a 12.4% tax on investment income for those making more than $400,000 a year, adopt an improved cost-of-living adjustment that better reflects seniors’ true expenses, and strengthen the minimum benefit so no one who works a full career retires into poverty. The bill would also reverse the Trump Administration’s staffing cuts at the SSA, block future field office closures, and prevent DOGE-like entities and political appointees from accessing sensitive data systems. -------- 1 https://www.ssa.gov/news/en/press/releases/2026-06-09.html ###