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BumRushDaShow

(160,228 posts)
21. I usually try to include it in the OP comments if it is there at post time, but here a part of Gallego's press release
Fri Sep 5, 2025, 01:48 PM
Sep 5
Gallego Introduces Legislation to Actually Eliminate Taxes on Social Security

Bill comes as Trump and Republicans in Congress continue to falsely claim their tax bill eliminated taxes on Social Security benefits

WASHINGTON – Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) introduced the You Earn It, You Keep It Act to eliminate federal taxes on Social Security benefits, without impacting the Social Security Trust Fund.

“Like a lot of Americans, I’ve been paying into Social Security since my first job at fourteen. But despite decades of paying into the system, seniors are still forced to pay taxes on their hard-earned benefits – all while the ultra-wealthy barley pay into the system at all,” said Senator Gallego. “Trump claimed he ended taxes on Social Security. My bill actually does it. Permanently.”

READ MORE: Senator introduces new bill to eliminate taxes on Social Security benefits (CNBC)

The You Earn It, You Keep It Act would eliminate federal taxes on Social Security. By expanding the Social Security pay-roll tax to covered earnings above $250,000 a year, the bill ensures high-earners pay their fair share and allows the Social Security Administration to continue making all payments on time and in full through 2058 – 24 years longer than the current projection of 2034.

(snip)


Link to draft bill (PDF) - https://www.gallego.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/You-Earned-It-You-Keep-It.pdf

The current cap (for 2025) is $176,100.

I was quickly scanning the draft bill and saw this part -

(snip)

SEC. 4. INCLUDING EARNINGS OVER $250,000 IN SOCIAL SE-4
CURITY BENEFIT FORMULA
.5

(a) INCLUSION OF EARNINGS OVER $250,000 IN DE-
TERMINATION OF PRIMARY INSURANCE AMOUNTS.—Sec-
tion 215(a)(1)(A) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 415

(a)(1)(A)) is amended—

(1) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end;

(2) in clause (iii), by inserting ‘‘and’’ at the
end; and

(3) by inserting after clause (iii) the following:
‘‘(iv) 2 percent of the individual’s excess aver-
age indexed monthly earnings (as defined in sub-
section (b)(5)(A)).’’.


(snip)


It *looks like* there would either be an additional 2% payroll tax added on income "in excess of $250,000" (meaning 8.2% instead of 6.2%) for over $250,000 -OR- it means that the tax (on employee and employer) drops from 6.2% down to 2% for $250,000 and above, where even that is more than what someone with that income would be contributing anyway, since it already stops being taken out for anyone making more than $176,100 (2025).

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Great, except . . . . no_hypocrisy Sep 5 #1
they can only do so much when Repubs are in power and fucking things up-- but removing the earnings cap LymphocyteLover Sep 5 #2
This message was self-deleted by its author Wiz Imp Sep 5 #26
baby steps* Native Sep 5 #5
Unless it's massive tax cuts for the uber wealthy and Corporations. That took no time at all. Bengus81 Sep 5 #9
Or a Trump administration with a Republican House and Senate and right wing SCOTUS. KPN Sep 5 #20
i'm talking about real change, not criming. Native Sep 5 #23
Uhhh....I watched Elon and Big Balls do it within days. nt intrepidity Sep 5 #28
Lifting the cap puts more money into the SS fund tinrobot Sep 5 #7
Good point Raven123 Sep 5 #10
He also proposed raising the FICO tax cap. Happy Hoosier Sep 5 #14
Thank you Senator Gallego! FakeNoose Sep 5 #3
The GOP are such 2 faced liars Farmer-Rick Sep 5 #4
Fine, but it's a band-aid on the soon to crash dollar as world currency. nt Festivito Sep 5 #6
Does it mean payroll taxes up to $250K of income? That part makes no sense. Bengus81 Sep 5 #8
The cap allows people to stop FICA tax deductions when the ceiling is met JohnnyRingo Sep 5 #13
You misunderstand the question... Happy Hoosier Sep 5 #15
I usually try to include it in the OP comments if it is there at post time, but here a part of Gallego's press release BumRushDaShow Sep 5 #21
Ah, I see. I like that plan. NT Happy Hoosier Sep 5 #22
I get that it would raise the ceiling on FICA earnings, and that's great. JohnnyRingo Sep 5 #24
Social Security was never meant... SickOfTheOnePct Sep 5 #25
It's a pretty high bar before you have to pay taxes. JohnnyRingo Sep 6 #34
$32,000 for a couple filing jointly... SickOfTheOnePct Sep 6 #35
Then I see .... JohnnyRingo Sep 6 #39
You're missing the point SickOfTheOnePct Sep 6 #40
"if someone is living on Social Security they already pay no income taxes" BumRushDaShow Sep 6 #33
Exactly! SickOfTheOnePct Sep 6 #36
Cards on the table... JohnnyRingo Sep 6 #37
Thankfully here on PA I don't have to pay state income tax on my retirement BumRushDaShow Sep 6 #38
I have mixed feelings on this. JohnnyRingo Sep 5 #11
Your "combined income" has to be pretty low to not be taxed at all. Happy Hoosier Sep 5 #17
Yep. It's not that I don't pay taxes on my SS and tiny widow's fed employee pension. I have to file every year. Attilatheblond Sep 5 #27
I'll probably be working part time till the day I drop Kaleva Sep 6 #31
Raise it to the first $750,000 earned by higher earners. ProudMNDemocrat Sep 5 #12
Why stop it at $750K? Happy Hoosier Sep 5 #16
Read my post. My ideal dream would be to eliminate the Earned Income Cap all together. ProudMNDemocrat Sep 5 #18
I like that he is pushing this bill out there and giving it a title that might stick. travelingthrulife Sep 5 #19
He might want to consider relooking at the threshold where you start karynnj Sep 5 #29
This won't help the poorer SS recipients one bit Kaleva Sep 6 #30
How about eliminating FICA taxes on us seniors who still have to work? Kaleva Sep 6 #32
I misread this as "Senator introduces bill to eliminate Social Security benefits" Polybius Sep 6 #41
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