Social Security Fairness Act of 2005

The Social Security Fairness Act of 2005 (H.R. 961) proposed changes to how benefits are paid following the death of a Social Security recipient. Under this bill, if a beneficiary passed away during the first 15 days of a month, their estate or surviving family would receive a final payment equal to half of their usual monthly benefit. Additionally, the legislation sought to increase the amount of the one-time lump-sum death payment provided to eligible survivors.