S. 3924 — We Can't Wait Act of 2026

This section authorizes individuals eligible for disability insurance benefits (DIB) under the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program—who are under early retirement age (currently 62)—to elect in writing to receive such benefits during their five-month waiting period (as defined in subsection (c)(2)), subject to specified timelines (e.g., at application, reconsideration request, or hearing request, or within 10 days thereafter; 45 days post-enactment for pending favorable decisions). (As background, SSDI provides monthly cash benefits to insured disabled workers under full retirement age whose impairment has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months.) For electing individuals, DIB payable during and after the waiting period equals the full benefit amount under current law multiplied by an initial reduction percentage of 94.25% (for months in the 36-month period beginning 180 days after enactment), which continues unchanged for the entire eligibility period without recalculation and may be included in past-due benefits; thereafter, the Chief Actuary of the Social Security Administration must calculate and the Commissioner may certify a new percentage every five years such that the 75-year fiscal impact on the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund remains neutral (certification required if at least 91%). Elections or revocations by representative payees are permitted within 10-day windows, except in the first month of an established eligibility period. (Thus, this provides earlier income to new SSDI beneficiaries at the cost of a permanent benefit reduction calibrated for trust fund solvency.)