On July 3, the Social Security Administration (SSA), the agency charged with managing the earned benefits of 73 million beneficiaries, sent a blatantly political and misleading email to an untold number of Americans about President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” – which will hurt millions of Americans who receive Medicaid and SNAP benefits and could result in future cuts to Social Security and Medicare.
SSA’s email says that “the new law includes a provision that eliminates federal income taxes on Social Security benefits for most beneficiaries,” even though the tax cut on benefits was taken out of the bill weeks ago by Republicans because it would have violated Senate rules. Instead of ending taxes on Social Security benefits, the new law includes a $6,000 income tax deduction for older Americans age 65 and older, which is not the same thing.
It was unprecedented for SSA — an agency that historically has avoided politics — to take a political ‘victory lap’ on Trump’s behalf, particularly on a bill that endangers the long-term care and nutrition benefits of millions of seniors.
The email was not only grossly misleading in its key claim; it disingenuously says that the legislation ‘reaffirms President Trump’s promise to protect Social Security.’ Far from protecting Social Security, Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has needlessly interfered in SSA operations in numerous ways that have hampered the public’s access to their earned benefits. What’s more, the Committee for a Responsible Budget (CRFB) estimates that Trump’s legislation will speed up the insolvency of the Social Security trust fund by one full year.
Five days after this shameful email went out, we are still waiting for SSA to set the record straight.” – Max Richtman, President & CEO, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare
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Media Inquiries:
Walter Gottlieb