The Social Security Administration would be directed to establish a comprehensive list of eligible occupations and update it every three years. Under current law, workers born in 1960 or later reach full Social Security retirement age at 67, while they can generally claim reduced benefits beginning at 62.

Stevens proposal would allow qualifying workers to receive full benefits at 60. Eligibility would be determined through a weighted points system based on the amount of time spent in physically demanding work and the worker's age during those years. Workers who accumulate 15 points or complete 20 years in qualifying occupations would become eligible for full benefits at age 60. Years worked at older ages would count more heavily toward the threshold.

Stevens said the legislation is intended to recognize the physical toll of manual-labor careers while also making skilled trades more attractive to prospective workers. The legislation would need to pass both chambers of Congress and be signed into law before taking effect.