Can we make Social Security better for blue-collar workers?

The U.S. labor market shows signs of stagnation, with the September unemployment rate rising to 4.2% and annual wage growth slowing to 3%, trailing inflation. Against this backdrop, Congresswoman Haley Stevens has proposed the Blue Collar Social Security Fairness Act, which would allow workers in physically demanding roles to collect full benefits at age 60. Proponents argue this addresses the reality that manual laborers often face declining health and shorter life expectancies, having started their careers earlier than white-collar counterparts. Conversely, critics like Alicia Munnell of the Center for Retirement Research contend that defining "physically demanding" is politically unworkable and that early payouts threaten the solvency of an already strained Social Security system. Instead, experts suggest shoring up the program through tax adjustments, such as raising payroll taxes or eliminating income caps, to ensure long-term financial stability for all retirees.