Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) introduced a bill to let eligible workers in physically demanding jobs receive full Social Security benefits at 60. For people born in 1960 or later, full retirement age is 67; reduced benefits are available from 62.
The Blue Collar Social Security Fairness Act would require the Social Security Administration to publish a list of qualifying occupations and update it every three years. Workers would not have to spend their entire careers in those jobs; to qualify at 60, they would need 15 points or 20 total years of physically demanding work. Qualifying work at older ages would earn more points.
The Social Security Board of Trustees projects the retirement and survivor trust fund will be depleted in 2032; afterward, incoming payroll tax revenue would cover 78% of scheduled benefits. Some Republican lawmakers have said they are willing to consider higher Social Security taxes as Congress weighs ways to address the shortfall.
