American retirees could see lower tax bills beginning in 2026 under President Donald Trump’s new tax law, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The law expands deductions for tips, overtime pay, and car loan interest and includes a new tax break aimed specifically at older Americans.
Trump has said the measure delivers “no tax on Social Security for our great seniors,” though Social Security benefits are not fully tax-free under the legislation, The Economic Times reported.
According to a study cited by the Daily Express US, Social Security recipients currently face an annual surplus of $9,108, underscoring the impact of tax relief as healthcare costs rise.
Many seniors are expected to face higher medical expenses in 2026, and some may lose Affordable Care Act coverage after enhanced subsidies expire.
Roughly 75 million Americans receive monthly Social Security checks, and the new tax provisions could reduce their financial burden during tax season.
The Internal Revenue Service explains that individuals age 65 and older will qualify for an additional $6,000 deduction on top of the standard deduction.
Married couples where both spouses are over 65 may claim a combined additional deduction of $12,000.
Social Security benefits are taxed based on income and filing status, and the added deduction lowers the number of retirees subject to taxes on those payments.
The deduction will be available through 2028.
It applies to single filers earning up to $75,000 and married couples earning up to $150,000.
The deduction phases out for individuals earning more than $75,000 and ends entirely at $175,000 for single filers and $250,000 for married couples.
Under one example, a retired married couple over 65 earning $48,000 and contributing $2,600 to a 401(k) would have paid $5,223.60 in taxes before the new law.
Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, their tax bill drops to $4,773.60.
The couple saves $450, amounting to roughly a one percent increase in take-home pay.
Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith said the changes will eliminate Social Security taxation for most retirees.
“No tax on Social Security means almost 90% of seniors will see zero taxation of those benefits,” Smith said.
Actual savings will vary based on income, filing status, and eligibility.
President Donald Trump and members of the White House, in December, boasted about inflation coming in at 2.7 percent for November, which was lower than expected. Members of the president’s administration are arguing that the U.S. economy is set to take off in 2026.
Paul Ashworth, Oxford Economics’ chief North America economist, was especially shocked by the numbers, particularly the small rise in housing costs.
“It’s possible that this does reflect a genuine drop off in inflationary pressures, but such a sudden stop, particularly in the more-persistent services components like rent of shelter is very unusual, at least outside of a recession,” he wrote in a note.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent echoed a similar tune, saying they believe “2026 will be a great year for growth, inflation, and the American people.”
Fox News host Laura Ingraham asked, “Secretary, Scott Bessent to. There is great news on inflation, the big announcement about drug prices at the White House from the president. So I’m watching this and things are moving in the right direction. But why are Americans still so pessimistic?”
“I think 2026 will be a great year for growth, inflation and the American people that the president work for everyday. It is because the affordability crisis under the Biden Administration, there are two parts here. There is price level and then there is the inflation rate. And the price level just got out of control during the disastrous four years of Biden,” Bessent said.