Josh Riley Co-Sponsors Bill to Eliminate Federal Taxes on Social Security Benefits

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Josh Riley (NY-19) sponsored the "You Earned It, You Keep It Act," to eliminate federal taxes on Social Security benefits and provide financial relief to seniors across Upstate New York and the country.

"Seniors paid into Social Security their entire lives. It doesn’t make any sense to tax them on the benefits they earned,” said Rep. Riley. “This common-sense bill will deliver a tax cut to seniors and strengthen Social Security for future generations.

According to data from the Social Security Administration, approximately 188,352 Social Security beneficiaries reside in New York's 19th Congressional District. This legislation would put money back in their pockets and improve their long term financial security. 

The "You Earned It, You Keep It Act" would:

• Eliminate federal taxes on Social Security benefits starting in 2026.
• Fund tax breaks for seniors by adjusting the Social Security payroll tax cap to ensure higher-income earners pay their fair share.
• Strengthen the long-term solvency of the Social Security program.

“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,” said Rep. Riley. “It’s not just  a matter of fairness, but also fiscal responsibility."

Full text of the bill can be found HERE.

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Rep. Riley has been laser focused on policies that support seniors and protect the benefits they’ve earned. In just a few short months in Congress, Riley has:

• Signed on to legislation that would prevent Elon Musk from rifling around in the private data of seniors on Social Security, February, 2025
• Pushed a bill to halt Social Security office closures, March, 2025
• Sponsored a bill to increase Medicare reimbursement rates in rural areas, April, 2025