Central Louisiana News

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

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

Senator Coons added, “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.”

“When Americans who were wrongfully detained or held hostage abroad are finally brought home, we must do everything we can to support them,” stated Senator Kaine.

Senator Collins emphasized, “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.”

“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 Senator Wyden.

The legislation aims to amend the Social Security Administration’s calculation of benefits for individuals identified as wrongful detainees by the U.S. Department of State and hostages by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell. It 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 Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME).

Several Americans released from Russian detention on August 1 now face financial obstacles resulting from their captivity, including diminished Social Security benefits due to lack of income during captivity.

The bill has received endorsements from organizations such as Bring Our Families Home Campaign, James W. Foley Legacy Foundation, and Hostage US.

Elizabeth Whelan, sister of former wrongful detainee Paul Whelan, expressed her support: “Without this act, released Americans will suffer needlessly in the years ahead... I hope that Congress will pass the Retirement Security for American Hostages Act.”

Diane Foley, President of the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation, noted: “This bill provides an important measure of relief to reduce the burdens faced by those who are lucky enough to be freed.”

Harrison Li from Bring Our Families Home Campaign remarked: “The act would help mitigate some of the financial burden unjustly borne by our families.”

Liz Cathcart, Executive Director at Hostage US, stated: “By ensuring that time spent in captivity doesn’t lead to reduced Social Security benefits... it is a necessary step toward giving former hostages confidence in reintegration and security in retirement.”