Letter to the editor: Give older Americans a break

OPINION:

Donald Trump has proposed eliminating federal tax on Social Security benefits (“Trump says seniors shouldn’t pay tax on Social Security benefits,” web, July 31). This is a major proposal for our older adults, and it deserves larger coverage.

My wife and I are 81 and 80 years old, respectively, and our adjusted gross income solely on pensions and Social Security is $85,000 ($40,000 of which is Social Security). Our current federal tax rate, at 12%, results in just over $10,000 in federal taxes. Eliminating the tax on our combined Social Security benefits would reduce our taxes to just over $5,000.

Given the devastating impact of the Biden administration’s inflation on those of us on fixed incomes, former President Donald Trump’s proposal would be a meaningful reform. It also points to the need to elect a Republican House and Senate to make it happen.

We must end the tax-and-spend Democrats’ control of our lives. Every older American should think long and hard about Mr. Trump’s tax proposals.

BEVERLY A. DALY

Manassas, Virginia