Tax Playbook · Big life moves
Shrink tax on Social Security
The IRS adds up your "combined income" — your other income plus half your Social Security check. Keep it under $25,000 single or $32,000 married and none of your benefits are taxed. Go over $34,000 single or $44,000 married and up to 85% of your benefits can be taxed. These cutoffs have not moved since the 1980s and 90s, so more retirees hit them every year.
Good for: Retirees receiving Social Security benefits.
Learn the basics
- SSA: Income taxes and your Social Security benefit (UNVERIFIED)
- Bogleheads wiki: Taxation of Social Security benefits
Recent articles & guides
- Schwab: Is Social Security taxable? 4 ways to minimize taxes (UNVERIFIED)
- Fidelity: Reducing taxes on Social Security
- Motley Fool: Working after full retirement age could cost you Social Security benefits
- Taxgirl: Social Security and taxes — what you pay and what you get
On this site
Related strategies
Roth conversions in low-income yearsIn a year your income is low — a gap year, early retirement — move money from your pre-tax retirement account …Move to a lower-tax stateMoving from a high-tax state like California to Texas or Florida can save five figures a year in state income …Annual gifts & the lifetime exemptionIn 2026 you can give anyone $19,000 a year ($38,000 per couple) with no tax paperwork. And over your lifetime …Bunch medical expensesYou can only deduct medical bills that are more than 7.5% of your income — say you earn $100,000, so the first…IRMAA: keep Medicare premiums downWhen you turn 65, Medicare checks your income from two years ago. For 2026, if that income is over $109,000 (s…Roth IRAs for kidsA child with a real job can have a Roth IRA. In 2026 you can put in up to $7,500, or less if the child earned …
Browse all 97 strategies in the interactive playbook
Educational summary, not tax advice. Limits and rules change — confirm current law with your tax adviser.