Both the House of Representatives and Senate of Republicans have introduced legislation in support of President Donald Trump’s promise that seniors will not be taxed for their Social Security benefits.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) announced on Thursday that he had reintroduced H.R.1040 – the Senior Citizens Tax Elimination Act. Massie initially introduced this bill in May 2023. It eliminates taxation on Social Security benefits that are created with previously taxed money.
Sens. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) announced they have introduced similar legislation at the Senate.
Senior Citizens Tax Elimination Act amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1988 to eliminate the inclusion of Tier 1 railroad retirement benefits and Social Security Benefits in an individual’s gross earnings. Seniors will see their tax liabilities significantly reduced as the legislation becomes effective. They will also no longer be subject to the “double taxation” of their federally earned benefits.
Massie stated in a press release on his website that even though seniors already pay tax on their Social Security contributions through the payroll tax they still have to include these benefits on their tax return as taxable income.
This is a way for Congress to increase revenue for the federal Government at the expense of seniors who already pay into Social Security. My bill would exempt Social Security benefits from taxation, and boost retirement income for millions of older Americans.
Tuberville stated that his bill aims to help seniors “who have worked the majority of their adult life so they can enjoy their retirement in comfort.”
Tuberville stated in a press release posted on his website that “in a time when the cost of living is skyrocketing, our seniors shouldn’t experience a tax on Social Security after they have already paid income taxes on their paychecks.”
As Alabama’s representative on the Senate Aging Committee, I will continue to fight to ensure that our seniors can enjoy their hard-earned Social Security Benefits.
Andy Mangione is the senior vice president of the Association of Mature American Citizens Action. He supports the bill.
Every year, millions upon millions of seniors are eligible to receive Social Security benefits or Tier I railroad pension benefits. Mangione stated that after working for decades and paying taxes to fund federal programs to which they contributed, some seniors must pay income tax to the government on the benefits received.
“Taxing benefits which were created from already taxed funds is nonsensical and curtails retirement benefits seniors have been promised. Seniors deserve to reap the full benefits of their hard work from career-long contributions to Social Security and the Railroad Retirement Plan.”