Beware Social Security marketing ploy

I recently received an email from the Social Security Administration stating that it applauds passage of the “One Big, Beautiful Bill,” touting provisions that would deliver tax relief to seniors and protect the program. I found this disturbing on several levels. It seems inappropriate for an independent agency of the federal government to express admiration for legislation. Does an agency have a voice for expression or hands for clapping? Who is actually speaking for it?

More importantly, the claims made in the email are inaccurate and misleading.

First, the email claims that the bill (now legislation) “ensures that nearly 90% of Social Security beneficiaries will no longer pay federal income taxes on their benefits.” Wrong. The bill does not eliminate taxes on Social Security. For some people, a $6,000 temporary tax deduction for only three years can help lower their tax.

The bottom 20% of Social Security recipients are already exempt from taxes on their benefits, because their income levels are so low, according to Bobby Kogan, Senior Director of Federal Budget Policy at the Center for American Progress, a nonprofit think tank. So this temporary deduction mostly benefits upper-middle-income seniors.

The other claim made in the email is that the legislation protects Social Security. Again, not true. It actually weakens it by reducing tax funding and may possibly bring closer the insolvency date. This conclusion has been reached by many, including Howard Gleckman, Senior Fellow at the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center and Marc Golden of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Government.

To me, this email resembles a classic marketing ploy that is rife with exaggeration. As one would be wise to remember when considering a marketing pitch, “Let the buyer beware.” I, for one, am not buyin’ it.

Diane Dassow

Lombard