Senator Ricketts’ Weekly Column: Protecting Social Security, Supporting Our Seniors

Social Security benefits should be completely tax free.  That’s how Social Security was originally intended to function.  When I was Governor, we eliminated state income taxes on Social Security benefits.  We need to provide this same relief at the federal level.  I’m fighting to protect Social Security.  I’m fighting to help Nebraskans keep more of their hard-earned money in retirement.

Social Security was created in 1935.  It has been a component of most Americans’ retirement plans since then.  Almost 90% of Americans 65 and older receive a Social Security benefit.  From 1935 until 1983, these Social Security benefits were untaxed.  This recognized that workers already paid into Social Security through payroll taxes.

In 1983, 50% of Social Security benefits became taxable.  In 1993, President Bill Clinton signed a bill into law that made 85% of benefits taxable.  Now, I’m working with President Trump and Senate Republicans to end this double tax and provide relief to seniors.

We did this in Nebraska when I was Governor.  In 2022, I signed LB873 into law.  We eliminated state income taxes on Social Security benefits.  The vote was unanimous.  No state senator opposed it.  That’s because this wasn’t a Republican or Democrat solution.  It was a Nebraska solution.  We strengthened the retirement of Nebraska seniors.

I’m pushing to bring this proven Nebraska solution to the federal level.  That’s why I Introduced the Social Security Check Tax Cut Act.  My bill would start phasing out the federal income tax on Social Security benefits.  For a typical retiree, it would mean about $800 back in their pocket.  That’s real relief for seniors.

I’m working to provide seniors relief in other ways, too.  By passing the One Big Beautiful Bill, we included a new $6,000 tax deduction for Americans over 65 and making $75,000 or less.  This deduction will allow 88% of seniors to pay no taxes on their Social Security benefits.  That’s up to an estimated 265,000 Nebraskans.  President Trump and Senate Republicans promised to help seniors.  We are keeping that promise.

I’m also supporting the Trump administration to improve the level of services provided to Nebraskans.  The Social Security Administration has transformed their customer service.  All field offices are fully staffed.  Federal workers are back in the office five days per week.  For the first time, Americans have 24/7 access to their online accounts.  This eliminated the 29 hours per week Social Security’s online portal was unavailable.  It has cut phone on-hold times from 30 minutes to just 6 minutes.  This has enabled the agency to handle 70% more calls than last year.  Average wait times at field offices have declined by 23%, despite handling 5 times more appointments than last year.  I’ll keep working to improve the level of service.

This is also true for my team of caseworkers in Nebraska.  They report that fewer Nebraskans are asking for help navigating Social Security issues.  That’s a sign that Social Security’s customer service is improving for seniors.

Our seniors contributed to our state and country for decades.  They should be able to live the Good Life and enjoy their retirement.  By boosting retirement income and improving customer service, we’re protecting Social Security.  We’re protecting the Good Life.

My team and I are here to serve you.  Contact us anytime by phone at 202-224-4224.  You can also view my website at www.ricketts.senate.gov/contact.