[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 137 (Friday, October 12, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1886]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        INTRODUCING LEGISLATION TO AMEND THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT

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                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 12, 2001

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce 
legislation to amend the Social Security Act to increase the maximum 
amount of the death benefit lump-sum from $255 to $1,000. The current 
benefit is not only grossly inadequate but unfairly distributed. It is 
an unjust system that deprives individuals and their families of up to 
a month's worth of compensation. Even when the benefit is received, it 
is too little to be of much significance. It appears that our Social 
Security system fails to adequately provide for the care of our elderly 
citizens, even when they die.
  Under current law, social security benefits are not paid for the 
month in which a recipient dies. For example, if an individual were to 
die on July 31, his heirs will receive no compensation for all of the 
expenses incurred during the month of July. If that person had died on 
August 1 instead, he or she would have received full coverage for the 
previous month. In some cases, when the Social Security Administration 
is not told of the death in time to stop the payment, family members of 
the deceased must return the check for the month. It is nothing short 
of disgraceful to add the psychological stress of dealing with complex 
financial legalities to family members who are already grieving for a 
loved one.
  I support legislation that would entitle an individual to benefits 
proportionate to the number of days during the month that he or she 
lived. One of my distinguished colleagues has already introduced a bill 
to this end, H.R. 210, the Social Security Descendent's Family Relief 
Act of 2001. It makes much more sense that if a person lives until July 
15, he should receive compensation for those 15 days.
  In addition to this unreasonable benefit system, the $255 lump-sum 
available to families of the deceased is woefully inadequate. The $255 
sum, which was provisioned in 1981 and was a modest sum at that time, 
is not even remotely close to meeting the expenses families face in the 
21st century. What cost $255 in 1981 costs over $513 today. Surely it 
is not unreasonable for families to expect an inflation-adjustment for 
that benefit. Furthermore, the average retired worker receives $845 in 
social security monthly benefits. Clearly a $255 lump sum does not 
compensate for this amount. And, according to the National Funeral 
Directors Association, the national average cost of a funeral is $5700. 
Families need more, not less, money at this time.
  My bill would increase the amount of the lump sum benefit from $255 
to $1000. That equates to a net gain of $745, compared to a potential 
loss of up to $845 under the current system should an individual die 
towards the end of the month and thus fall victim to prorating.
  Mr. Speaker, surely one of our most important priorities should be to 
give American families the money they need and rightfully deserve. It 
is our duty to correct the discrepancies in a flawed process so that 
all Americans enjoy the benefits of a system designed to help them. I 
sincerely hope that my colleagues will work with me to ensure the 
passage of this important legislation.

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