Ready to learn more?

Explore More

Home » Insights » Retirement » Will My Social Security Benefits Be Taxed?
Steven Elliott, MST, CPA
Tax Director
Income thresholds, IRA withdrawals, and work limits can reduce Social Security tax liability and maximize retirement income.
With so many taxpayers having other retirement benefits to rely on, Social Security (SSI) may not be your only retirement income source, though it can still play a major role to assist with Medicare coverage and spending needs. According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), your maximum monthly benefit depends on the age you retire.
For example, if you retire at your full retirement age this year, your maximum monthly benefit would be $4,018. Full retirement age (FRA) for 2025 applies to those born in 1960 or later, or age 67. However, if you retire early at age 62 in 2025, your maximum benefit would be $2,831. If you delay retirement until age 70, your maximum benefit would be $5,108.1
Regardless of when you start SSI, the benefits would increase based on cost-of-living (COLA) adjustments.
For individuals receiving Social Security benefits before their full retirement age in 2025, there’s an annual earnings limit from work and consulting activities of $23,400. If earnings exceed this limit, $1 in benefits will be deducted for every $2 earned above the limit.
When you reach your full retirement age, a different set of rules apply. There’s a higher earnings limit (in 2025, $62,160), and only earnings before your FRA month are counted when determining benefit reductions.
Once you reach FRA, your full retirement age, your SSI benefits are no longer reduced due to your earnings.
Your health and wealth can certainly play an important part in deciding when to start claiming benefits.
If you have other retirement income, such as 401(k) or 403(b) plans, IRA funds or a part-time job, you may have to pay income taxes on your monthly Social Security benefits. To help ensure you retain as much of your benefits as possible, it’s important to understand how Social Security benefits are taxed and what you can do to manage them.
The IRS determines how much of your Social Security is taxable based on your combined income. This includes your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI), which equals your adjusted gross income (AGI) plus nontaxable interest, and half of your Social Security benefits. As shown below, the thresholds for when your benefits will be taxable vary based on your filing status.
Combined annual income for individuals |
|
Combined annual income for married filing jointly |
|
Under the newly enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed into law on July 4, 2025, a new, temporary deduction for seniors aged 65 or older is available starting this year, 2025 through the end of 2028.
Social Security beneficiaries need to know that while the OBBBA can offer tax relief to some, it doesn’t eliminate Social Security taxes, directly or permanently.
It is important to note that this deduction does not eliminate taxes on Social Security benefits, but reduces the taxable income for qualifying seniors, by making more income eligible for the standard deduction and potentially reducing the portion of Social Security benefits subject to tax.
This deduction is equal to $6,000 for single filers and $12,000 for married couples filing jointly, where both spouses qualify. However, the deductions phase out at higher income levels, specifically when modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) exceeds $75,000 for single filers and $150,000 for married couples filing jointly. The deduction phases out completely for those with MAGI exceeding $175,000 for individuals and $250,000 for couples.
While most states do not tax Social Security benefits, nine states continue to do so in 2025. These states include Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, and West Virginia. West Virginia’s taxation of SSI benefits is being phased out and will be fully eliminated by 2026.
However, it’s important to note that even for residents of these states, there are often deductions, credits, or income limits that can reduce or eliminate the tax burden for retirees.
A thoughtful retirement income plan can help reduce how much of your benefit is taxed. These four strategies may help:
Example: If a retiree earns $35,000 before full retirement age, that’s $12,680 over the 2025 earnings limit. This would reduce annual benefits by $6,340. However, once full retirement age is reached, benefits are recalculated to credit the withheld amount over time.
For more information on how much you can earn and still get Social Security benefits, visit the Social Security website.
Interested in more details on how the newly passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act might impact your Social Security benefits? Read our article to learn more about President Trump’s Social Security tax reform. |
Taxes on Social Security benefits can catch retirees off guard. A forward-looking retirement income strategy that balances withdrawals and earnings may help preserve more of your benefits for the long run. For more information on Social Security, visit our library of articles. If you are not a client and would like to learn how to help keep taxes on your Social Security in check, let’s talk.
1 “What is the maximum Social Security retirement benefit payable?” Social Security Administration, Jan. 2, 2025.
Mercer Advisors Inc. is a parent company of Mercer Global Advisors Inc. and is not involved with investment services. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. (“Mercer Advisors”) is registered as an investment advisor with the SEC. The firm only transacts business in states where it is properly registered or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements.
All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the author as of the date of publication and are subject to change. Some of the research and ratings shown in this presentation come from third parties that are not affiliated with Mercer Advisors. The information is believed to be accurate but is not guaranteed or warranted by Mercer Advisors. Content, research, tools and stock or option symbols are for educational and illustrative purposes only and do not imply a recommendation or solicitation to buy or sell a particular security or to engage in any particular investment strategy. Hypothetical examples are for illustrative purposes only. For financial planning advice specific to your circumstances, talk to a qualified professional at Mercer Advisors.
Links are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by Mercer Advisors of any of the products, services or opinions of the corporations or organizations or individuals represented in the links. Mercer Advisors bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of the external sites or for that of subsequent links. Contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content.