When AMAC Member Janis Winchester opened her tax return this year, she noticed something remarkable: she owed no federal income tax on her Social Security benefits. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith recently highlighted her story as an example of how President Donald Trump’s Working Families Tax Cuts (also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill, or OBBB) are helping retirees throughout the country.
Janis and her husband are both retired seniors in San Diego County, California. “I just want to say how grateful I am that the One Big Beautiful Bill was passed by Congress, and signed by President Trump, because it is making a huge difference in my life and also in other seniors’ lives to have a continuation of the tax cuts that were first made in 2017,” she said.
Janis explained that the “higher standard deduction for seniors” allowed her to “not have to pay any taxes on [her] social security,” letting her keep more of her retirement income than ever before.
And Janis isn’t the only American benefiting from Trump’s Working Families Tax Cuts.
In a February 2026 survey of AMAC members, respondents reported an average tax savings of $2,832 thanks to the OBBB, with feedback coming from all 50 states. More than half of respondents – 53.1 percent – said they saved more than $1,000, and 29.6 percent reported savings exceeding $2,500. Overall, 2026 was the largest tax refund season in American history, with the average return topping $3,500.
The additional senior deduction – $6,000 for individuals and $12,000 for married couples – was the most frequently cited benefit. That provision of the OBBB eliminated taxes on Social Security for about 90 percent of recipients.
This targeted relief for seniors grants them greater flexibility to pay off medical bills, vehicles, living expenses, prescriptions, and even travel costs to visit family. Savings from these tax cuts also help seniors to live self-sufficiently, providing them with more financial stability than ever before.
AMAC members played a pivotal role in securing final passage of the Working Families Tax Cuts last year, sending nearly 40,000 messages to Congress urging passage of the bill. AMAC members were also in attendance standing behind President Trump in the East Room of the White House as he rallied support for the bill and later testified before Congress about how the legislation will benefit seniors.
The Trump administration recognizes the sacrifices seniors have made to pour into Medicare and Social Security, and Trump’s tax policy reflects a commitment to ensuring that seniors get the benefits they have earned.
In an exclusive for AMAC Magazine, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt explained that the OBBB will have a multi-generational impact: “The President also understands how important it is to older Americans that his administration does more to bring down the cost of living and put money back in people’s pockets – not just for them, but for their children and grandchildren as well.”
Janis’s experience and the stories of thousands of other AMAC members reflect the intended result of Trump’s tax agenda. In the months and years ahead, the OBBB will continue to deliver for everyday Americans – and AMAC will continue to amplify the stories of people like Janis who are experiencing the benefits of this historic legislation first-hand.
Lillian Ferrell is a senior at Hillsdale College studying English and music. She has experience in journalism and podcasting as the host of the Grace Over Grind podcast. Her written work focuses on American politics, culture, and public policy.
The no taxes on SS checks are due to an Executive Order by Trump & so this is temporary band aid & permanent fix must be approved by Legislative Branch. Write your representatives & tell them to act on the Social Security Fund now & quit kicking it down the road to next administrations! Fellow Americans, we are running out of tome on this issue & thank the Administration of 1935 for forming this fund that has helped senior Americans for +90 years now.
It is my understanding that taxes on SS benefits went back into the SS Trust Fund and drew interest. Therefore, it seems like no taxes on benefits will shorten the life of SS benefits even less then year 1935. The tax cut for seniors is good for older Americans, but it is up to Trump & Congress to make some positive changes to Social Security and not let fall off a cliff due to lack of support from Congress.