U.S. Representative Josh Riley (NY-19) has co-sponsored legislation aimed at eliminating federal taxes on Social Security benefits, a move designed to ease financial pressures on seniors living on fixed incomes.
Titled the “You Earned It, You Keep It Act,” the bill would end federal taxation of Social Security income starting in 2026 and redirect tax obligations to high-income earners to fund the change. Riley, a Democrat representing Upstate New York, announced his support for the measure this week.
“Seniors paid into Social Security their entire lives. It doesn’t make any sense to tax them on the benefits they earned,” Riley said. “This common-sense bill will deliver a tax cut to seniors and strengthen Social Security for future generations.”
The legislation would benefit the approximately 188,352 Social Security recipients in New York’s 19th Congressional District, according to data from the Social Security Administration. Supporters say it would put more money in the hands of retirees while also securing the long-term health of the Social Security program.
To offset the revenue loss, the bill proposes lifting the cap on the Social Security payroll tax so that higher-income individuals contribute more. Riley emphasized that the change is about economic fairness.
“Instead of taxing our seniors when it’s already hard enough for them to make ends meet on a fixed income, this bill makes sure billionaires pay their fair share,” he said. “It’s not just a matter of fairness, but also fiscal responsibility.”
The bill now heads to committee as lawmakers debate its fiscal and political implications.
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