Time to change Social Security’s tax formula

It is nice that seniors 65 and older will now be able to exclude $6,000 if their taxable income is low enough under the Big Beautiful Bill.

The issue that has always bothered me is that since Congress decided to start taxing SSA checks in 1983, the amount of income that is taxable has not changed. Potential taxation of an individual’s SSA benefits of $25,000+ (depending on other taxable income) and $32,000+ for joint tax filers is possible on SSA benefits.

The taxable rate was 50% in 1983 and changed in 1993 to as much as 85% depending on total taxable income. As an example, if your total taxable income like interest and pensions, etc., is added to your SSA benefits and you get $12,000 yearly SSA — but you have a lot of taxable income from other sources — you could pay income taxes on 50% of your benefits or $6,000, up to 85% of your benefits, meaning $10,200. It all depends on your total income, not just SSA benefits. Not all SSA benefits are taxable income.

We all know there has been inflation since 1983. I believe Congress should change this law to increase the amounts excludable every year based on inflation. Standard deductions, average SSA checks and many other things have increased since 1983. So why are these amounts the same after 42 years?

Mary Anne Sheets

North Liberty