December 9, 2025
Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania (for himself and Mrs. McClain Delaney) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means
To provide for the exemption of certain earnings from the retirement earnings test, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Health Care Worker and First Responder Fairness Act
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Sec. 2. Exemption of certain earnings from retirement earnings test
(a) In general
For purposes of subsection (b) of section 203 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 403(b)), wages paid during the period beginning on January 31, 2020, and ending on May 11, 2023, to an individual who attests to and provides evidence of being employed as a health care professional or first responder during such period shall not be included in the determination of the individual’s excess earnings under subsection (f)(3) of such section for any taxable year.
(b) Guidance
Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commissioner of Social Security shall issue guidance providing for appropriate procedures for the implementation of subsection (a).
Sec. 3. Future pandemic preparedness
(a) In general
For purposes of subsection (b) of section 203 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 403(b)), wages paid to an eligible individual during any public health emergency declared by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under section 319(a) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d(a)) shall not be included in the determination of the individual’s excess earnings under subsection (f)(3) of such section for any taxable year.
(b) Issuance of waivers
During a public health emergency declared by the Secretary under section 319(a) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d(a)) in which the Secretary has determined that, wholly or partially as a result of the public health emergency, there is a shortage of healthcare workers, the Commissioner of Social Security may issue a waiver to an individual who attests to and provides evidence of being employed as a health care professional or first responder during such public health emergency.
(c) Report
The Commissioner shall annually submit a report to Congress describing each waiver that has been issued under this section during the previous year.
(d) Eligible individual defined
For purposes of this section, the term eligible individual means an individual to whom the Commissioner has issued a waiver in accordance with subsection (b).
Sec. 4. Definitions
In this Act:
(1) Commissioner
The term Commissioner means the Commissioner of Social Security.
(2) Health care professional
The term health care professional has the meaning given such term in section 225(d)(1) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 234(d)(1)).
(3) First responder
The term first responder has the meaning given such term in section 3025(1) of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10705(1)).
(4) Secretary
The term Secretary means the Secretary of Health and Human Services.