Along with about 70 million other Social Security recipients, I received an email from the Commission of Social Security crowing about the recently enacted Trump mega bill.
The email incorrectly said the new law “eliminates federal income taxes on Social Security benefits for most beneficiaries.” This is incorrect. The new law provides seniors a $6,000 tax deduction for singles and $12,000 for married couples and is phased out at higher incomes. It does not eliminate taxes on Social Security. Further, unlike the massive permanent tax deductions for the super wealthy, this deduction is temporary. It expires in 2028.
What is galling is Social Security extolls recipients to provide their email address to it then abuses the use of that data by sending a mass email to promote a political agenda. This is wrong on many levels. First, we are told to be weary of emails purporting to come from the government because they are often a scam. Second, the email is likely a violation of the Hatch Act (using federal resources for political/campaign purposes). Third, Social Security should look in the mirror and ask if it is committing waste, fraud and abuse by squandering resources on an inaccurate and blatantly political email.
Denise Chancellor, Salt Lake City