Kaine, Coons, Cassidy, Collins, & Wyden Introduce the Retirement Security for American Hostages Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced the Retirement Security for American Hostages Act to protect the Social Security benefits of Americans who have been held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad.

“Americans who have been wrongfully detained or held hostage abroad face far too many financial hurdles when they come home – some immediate, and some they won’t feel until they reach retirement age,” said Coons. “Americans like Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan shouldn’t have to suffer permanently reduced Social Security benefits because they had little or no income during their years in captivity. The Retirement Security for American Hostages Act is a crucial step we can take to support these Americans who have been through unimaginable hardship.” 

“Americans held hostage should not lose Social Security benefits,” said Cassidy. “This is a small thing compared to losing freedom, but sometimes small things make a difference.”

“When Americans who were wrongfully detained or held hostage abroad are finally brought home, we must do everything we can to support them,” said Kaine. “That’s why I’m joining my colleagues in introducing the bipartisan Retirement Security for American Hostages Act to ensure Americans who were held captive aren’t penalized when they collect Social Security.”

“When an American hostage is finally returned home from their unjust detention, they should not be forced to face undue financial stress as a result of their unavoidable time lost in the workforce,” said Collins. “This bipartisan legislation will help ensure that freed Americans, such as the recently released Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan, are not left in permanent financial distress as a result of their undeserved time in bondage.”

“Americans who were held hostage shouldn’t be hurt by a retirement system that doesn’t account for the injustice and hardship they faced,” said Wyden. “This bipartisan bill will ensure that people who were wrongfully detained overseas are not penalized after they make it home. They deserve to live freely without being deprived of their earned Social Security benefits.”

On August 1, several Americans were released from Russian detention as part of a historic prisoner exchange. These individuals now face several financial obstacles resulting from their captivity, including diminished Social Security benefits when they reach retirement. Because they may not have received a paycheck or paid payroll taxes while in captivity, their Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME), which determines their Social Security benefit upon retirement, may have diminished by a meaningful amount.

The Retirement Security for American Hostages Act would amend the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) calculation of Social Security benefits for individuals identified as wrongful detainees by the U.S. Department of State and individuals identified as hostages by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell. The bill would require SSA to assume “deemed wages” equal to the national average for each month a former hostage or detainee was detained when calculating their AIME.

“I am delighted to see the introduction of the Retirement Security for American Hostages Act and am grateful for the ongoing efforts of Senator Coons and Senator Cassidy to address the collateral damage brought to bear on innocent Americans victimized by hostile foreign nations via hostage diplomacy,” said Elizabeth Whelan, sister of U.S. Marine Corps veteran and former wrongful detainee Paul Whelan. “Without this act, released Americans will suffer needlessly in the years ahead. Their ordeal will never end, and in addition to any other struggles, they will bear a financial burden for another country’s wrongdoing. I hope that Congress will pass the Retirement Security for American Hostages Act. It is a simple and straightforward concept with an enormous positive impact on the lives of those who have already suffered so much.”

“The lives of Americans held hostage or wrongfully detained are forever altered in damaging ways that can continue upon their release and return home,” said Diane Foley, President, the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation. “This bill provides an important measure of relief to reduce the burdens faced by those who are lucky enough to be freed.”

“The Bring Our Families Home Campaign enthusiastically supports the introduction of the Retirement Security for American Hostages Act by Senators Coons and Cassidy,” said Harrison Li, Steering Committee Member, the Bring Our Families Home Campaign. “The act would help mitigate some of the financial burden unjustly borne by our families and we hope it provides yet another reminder to the president to #BringThemHome.”

“Hostage US endorses the Retirement Security for American Hostages Act as it addresses a critical and often overlooked hardship faced by former hostages and wrongful detainees,” said Liz Cathcart, Executive Director, Hostage US. “As the leading organization providing reintegration support and resources to former captives, we see firsthand the long-term impact captivity has on individuals and their loved ones. By ensuring that time spent in captivity doesn’t lead to reduced Social Security benefits, this legislation provides essential support for Americans who have already endured so much. It is a necessary step toward giving former hostages the confidence they need to reintegrate and ensuring the security they deserve in retirement.”

The legislation is endorsed by the Bring Our Families Home Campaign, James W. Foley Legacy Foundation, and Hostage US.

A one-pager is available here.

The full text of the bill is available here.

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