Misleading Social Security Email Stirs Up Outrage
Category: Social Security
July 4, 2025 – In an unusually partisan email that appears to have been sent to all Social Security beneficiaries today, the Social Security Administration touted the “Big Beautiful Bill” just signed into law. The headline of the email was: “Social Security Applauds Passage of Legislation Providing Historic Tax Relief for Seniors”. The email has sparked outrage from former Social Security Administration officials and responsible media sources.
While every administration always tries to shine the brightest lights on its goings on, Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano hit a new sycophantic high in its misleading email: “This is a historic step forward for America’s seniors…. By significantly reducing the tax burden on benefits, this legislation reaffirms President Trump’s promise to protect Social Security and helps ensure that seniors can better enjoy the retirement they’ve earned.”
If only that were true!
Misleading and not true
The New York Times, CBS, NBC, AARP, and many other groups were quick to criticize the email. One example, according to the NY Times: “The S.S.A. statement implies there is a direct tax cut on Social Security benefits,” said Howard Gleckman, a senior fellow at the Tax Policy Center, a nonpartisan think tank, “which there is not.”
No help for the bottom half
The bill does nothing to help the poorest Americans. Individuals earning less than $25,000 per year and $32,000 for couples do not owe any taxes. Recipients earning more than that paid taxes on up to 85% of their benefits, depending on their income. Prior to the new bill less than half of beneficiary families owed federal income tax on their benefits, according to the SSA.
Comments on "Misleading Social Security Email Stirs Up Outrage"
LS says:
I found the email from Social Security shockingly partisan rather than presenting factual information. The SS Administrator is just another brown nose trying to suck up to Trump.
Admin says:
National media and former Social Security Administration officials erupted in disgust over this Social Security email over the weekend, saying that it was full of lies and misleading statements. Existing law does not allow SS benefits to totally be exempt, The only true part of the email concerned the new "Senior Bonus". According to NBC News: "But it does not eliminate federal taxes on Social Security. Budget reconciliation, the arcane process Senate Republicans used to pass the bill while avoiding a Democratic filibuster, does not allow changes to be made to Social Security." https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/social-security-administration-sends-misleading-email-lauding-trumps-n-rcna216990
Mike says:
Admin, existing law does allow SS benefits to be totally exempt depending on income. The IRS calls it “combined income” which is half of SS payments plus adjusted gross income and non taxable interest reported on your tax return. As an individual if your combined income is $25,000 or less there is no tax on benefits and on a joint return the limit is $32,000.
The deceiving part of the email is it makes it sound like this is something new and all seniors will get the benefit. According to the White House 64% of seniors already pay no tax on benefits and the law only provides an average yearly $670 income increase to those who will be effected by the changes. The average cut to benefits arriving a year sooner due to the bill are expected to be $474 per month.
That is not protecting Social Security in my book.
Billy says:
That 6000 deduction probably won't effect most of these readers.
Chris says:
Seems like kind of a pattern. 1984 is here and Big Brother is in control. Pass a law that has some ill-conceived, harmful attributes, lie about what it contains. Don't like the employment statistics - just fire the Bureau Chief and replace with a Yes Woman.
JCarol says:
Chris, your words are frighteningly true. I feel like an unwilling passenger on a runaway train that's heading full throttle for a cliff while the conductor screams for more fuel.
Admin says:
Happy Birthday Social Security! The venerable and exceedingly popular program is turning 90 years old on Aug. 14. Makes you wonder how people ever got along without it. Most likely they worked until they dropped, got by on meager savings, or relied on the kindness of family members. Having got along so well with only a few tweaks (the biggest in 1983 when Full Retirement Ages were gradually lengthened from age 65 to 67), it now faces the biggest challenge in its history. That is, what will happen when the Social Security Trust Funds are exhausted in 2033 - just 8 years from now. Congress and the Presidents have dithered so long on the issue that easy fixes are no longer possible. Only painful solutions await - if anything is done. Recipients will only get 70% of promised benefits beginning in 2033, unless something is done (fast!). See https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/10/business/social-security-retirement-myths.html?unlocked_article_code=1.dk8.7L1q.OWEpNX2BAWst&smid=url-share for more
Admin says:
This time of year there is always a lot of speculation about what the annual Social Security COLA will be. It is usually announced in the fall of the year. The COLA is informed by the 3rd Quarter CPI-W. July's increase was 2.5%, so most experts are predicting about a 2.4 - 2.6 increase starting in January. Last year's COLA was 2.5%. If inflation ramps up because of tariffs, some expect the COLA to be inadequate.
Mike says:
The June Social Security Trustees Report estimates the Cost Of Living Adjustment for 2026 will be 2.7% or $54 for the average retiree. Medicare estimates a 11.6% or $21.50 increase in Part B premiums to $206.50. It is the largest increase since 2022.