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Retirement Security for Americans Unlawfully Detained or Held Hostage Abroad

This act aims to provide retirement security for U.S. nationals who were unlawfully detained or held hostage abroad. It ensures that periods spent in captivity will count towards their Social Security work history, allowing them to accrue retirement benefits even if they were not working during that time. This is a crucial support for individuals who have experienced traumatic events outside the country.
Key points
Periods of unlawful detention or being held hostage abroad will count towards Social Security work history for retirement purposes.
For each month of captivity, a deemed wage equal to 1/12th of the national average wage will be credited, impacting future benefit amounts.
To qualify, individuals must submit an application with documentation from a federal agency confirming their status as detained or hostage.
The provisions will take effect 24 months after the act's enactment, allowing time for procedural implementation.
article Official text account_balance Process page
Introduced
Citizen Poll
No votes cast
Additional Information
Print number: 119_S_657
Sponsor: Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
Process start date: 2025-02-20
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Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-05-20
Source data: api.congress.gov
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OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

Retirement Security for American Hostages Act of 2025

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 119_S_657.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the Senate.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2025-02-20.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Periods of unlawful detention or being held hostage abroad will count towards Social Security work history for retirement purposes.
  • For each month of captivity, a deemed wage equal to 1/12th of the national average wage will be credited, impacting future benefit amounts.
  • To qualify, individuals must submit an application with documentation from a federal agency confirming their status as detained or hostage.
  • The provisions will take effect 24 months after the act's enactment, allowing time for procedural implementation.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Introduced.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Introduced in Senate

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-23.

CATEGORIES

Benefits Security