Saturday, July 05, 2025

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATOR CROSSES THE LINE

Ralph Bristol

by Ralph Bristol, reposted from Facebook, July 5, 2025- I find it EXTREMELY inappropriate that the head of the Social Security Administration would send me a news release applauding the passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB).

The SSA should not comment on the passage of legislation, regardless of its impact. The SSA is not a political institution. It is there to implement the laws, not judge them, one way or the other. Beyond that, some of the reasoning the SSA administrator uses in his celebration of the OBBB is sad. That which is not sad is false.

“The bill ensures that nearly 90% of Social Security beneficiaries will no longer pay federal income taxes on their benefits,” SSA administrator Frank Bisignano reports with glee.

He continues, “The new law includes a provision that eliminates federal income taxes on Social Security benefits for most beneficiaries, providing relief to individuals and couples. Additionally, it provides an enhanced deduction for taxpayers aged 65 and older, ensuring that retirees can keep more of what they have earned.” I think he’s counting the same thing twice here, but that’s not my problem with his statement.

“Most” retirees. Not all. That’s the new GOP way. The only way Republicans ever cut spending is by increasing the means-testing on programs created by Democrats without means-testing (to get them to pass with Republican support). Republicans later means-tested them, and now, anytime they are faced with the need to cut spending, they means test them more. Republicans have become a one-trick, means-testing pony. That pony can only carry so much. It’s not a mule!

Bisignano continues in his emailed news released, “By significantly reducing the tax burden on benefits, this legislation reaffirms President Trump’s promise to protect Social Security and helps ensure that seniors can better enjoy the retirement they’ve earned."

Now that’s an outright lie. The tax on SS retirement benefits, passed as part of Reagan’s “fix” in the 1980s, went directly into the SS Trust Fund to stretch out the insolvency date of the program. The OBBB will move up that date, which has already moved up to 2033 from earlier projections of 2035.

So now, the SSA, a non-political institution, has entered the political debate by (1) declaring the administrator’s abiding support of further means-testing (Boo!!!) and (2) spreading false information, via email, to Social Security beneficiaries.

I hope I’m not along in finding this unacceptable.

Ralph Bristol is the former long-time morning talk radio host broadcasting on Supertalk 99.7 WTN. He was one of the less provocative and bombastic of conservative radio personalities, more thoughtful and grounded in conservative ideas. He left talk radio in 2018 and retired. He lives in Nashville.

Rods Comment: I totally agree! It is an outrage that Social Security is being politicalized. This is common however in authoritarian systems where there is little separation between the party in power and the government. Unfortunately, I expect more of this as we continue down this authoritarian path.

I also received the SS press release. I am posting it below.

Social Security Applauds Passage of Legislation Providing Historic Tax Relief for Seniors

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is celebrating the passage of the One Big, Beautiful Bill, a landmark piece of legislation that delivers long-awaited tax relief to millions of older Americans.

The bill ensures that nearly 90% of Social Security beneficiaries will no longer pay federal income taxes on their benefits, providing meaningful and immediate relief to seniors who have spent a lifetime contributing to our nation's economy.

“This is a historic step forward for America’s seniors,” said Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano. “For nearly 90 years, Social Security has been a cornerstone of economic security for older Americans. By significantly reducing the tax burden on benefits, this legislation reaffirms President Trump’s promise to protect Social Security and helps ensure that seniors can better enjoy the retirement they’ve earned."

The new law includes a provision that eliminates federal income taxes on Social Security benefits for most beneficiaries, providing relief to individuals and couples. Additionally, it provides an enhanced deduction for taxpayers aged 65 and older, ensuring that retirees can keep more of what they have earned.

Social Security remains committed to providing timely, accurate information to the public and will continue working closely with federal partners to ensure beneficiaries understand how this legislation may affect them.