Patty Satalia

State College

Like many Americans, I received a controversial email from the Social Security Administration that “applauded” and “celebrated” Trump’s recently passed budget bill. (It showed up in SPAM, where it belonged.)

It made several claims: the “historic” bill eliminates federal income taxes on Social Security benefits for most beneficiaries, provides an enhanced deduction for taxpayers aged 65 and older, and “reaffirms President Trump’s promise to protect Social Security.”

Not even close. Looking past the blatantly partisan nature of the email, it’s riddled with falsehoods.

First, nothing in the bill eliminates or even reduces taxes on Social Security benefits. Instead, there’s a separate annual deduction for some middle-income seniors.

Second, the deduction benefits few people because it’s tied to income and most seniors already pay no taxes on their Social Security payments. And it’s short-lived, expiring in 2028 (after the next presidential election).

Third, the bill *weakens* Social Security because taxes are used to shore up social security, so reduced tax revenue means accelerated insolvency of the system — in about seven years.

Shockingly, then, all claims in the email are inaccurate: no reduced taxes, grossly exaggerated benefits of the deduction, and failure to protect Social Security.

The errors become magnified in light of the email’s last statement: “Social Security remains committed to providing timely, accurate information — and (ensuring that) beneficiaries understand how this legislation may affect them.”

The agency apparently provided a partially corrected press release — clarifying that tax relief comes through the separate (and temporary) deduction. I’ve received no such update.