; and (2) in paragraph (4), by striking and by section 9001 and inserting , by section 9001 , and by inserting after 1986, the following: and by section 5(a) of the Strengthening Social Security Act of 2018 , . (b) Conforming amendments in applicable former law Section 215(i)(1)(C) of the Social Security Act , as in effect in December 1978 and applied in certain cases under the provisions of such Act in effect after December 1978, is amended by inserting before the period the following: , and, with respect to any monthly insurance benefit payable under this title, effective for adjustments under this subsection to the primary insurance amount on which such benefit is based (or to any such benefit under section 227 or 228), the applicable Consumer Price Index shall be deemed to be the Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers and such primary insurance amount shall be deemed adjusted under this subsection using such Index . (c) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to determinations made by the Commissioner of Social Security under section 215(i)(2) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 415(i)(2) ) with respect to cost-of-living computation quarters ending on or after September 30, 2018. 6. Improving social security benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households (a) In general (1) Widows Section 202(e) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 402(e) ) is amended— (A) in paragraph (1)— (i) in subparagraph (B), by inserting and at the end; (ii) in subparagraph (C)(iii), by striking and at the end; (iii) by striking subparagraph (D); (iv) by redesignating subparagraphs (E) and (F) as subparagraphs (D) and (E), respectively; and (v) in the flush matter following subparagraph (E)(ii), as so redesignated, by striking or becomes entitled to an old-age insurance benefit and all that follows through such deceased individual,