Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., unveiled the Blue Collar Social Security Fairness Act on Wednesday, proposing to lower the full retirement age for workers in physically demanding occupations to age 60. Currently, individuals can begin claiming Social Security at age 62, though they receive reduced monthly payments. Those who wait until their full retirement age—67 for those born in 1960 or later—receive their full earned benefits, with an additional 8% increase for each year of delay up to age 70.
Stevens’ proposal targets workers in occupations such as construction, roofing, nursing, and manufacturing. The Social Security Administration would be charged with developing a comprehensive list of qualifying physically demanding jobs, with updates occurring every three years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics defines physically demanding work as requiring certain levels and durations of physical exertion, including climbing, heavy lifting, pushing, pulling, standing, or walking. According to the agency, approximately 39.1% of the civilian workforce is employed in physically demanding positions.
The legislation would implement a weighted points system so workers would not need to spend their entire careers in such roles to qualify for early benefits. Workers would earn varying points based on age and years worked in physically demanding jobs: 0.5 points annually between ages 18 and 34, 1 point between ages 35 and 44, 1.5 points between ages 45 and 54, and 2 points for work above age 55. Individuals would need either 15 total points or 20 years of work in qualifying occupations to claim benefits at age 60.
The proposal emerges as Social Security trust funds face approaching depletion. Lawmakers are weighing options including tax increases, benefit reductions, or combined approaches to prevent across-the-board cuts. Research from 2022 indicates workers in physically demanding jobs frequently exit the workforce earlier than planned, compromising retirement security. The bill’s prospects in Congress remain uncertain.
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