How to pay $0 in Social Security taxes in 2026: 5 smart ways retirees can cut or eliminate taxes

KaterinaDalemans / Envato Think your Social Security check is yours to keep? Think again. Nearly half of all beneficiaries have some form of tax liability on their benefit payment, according to Pew Research. Simply put, if you earn a middle to high income, you’re likely to owe some of your benefits back to the government (1). Must Read Depending on your family’s combined provisional income, you could owe taxes on either 50% or 85% of your benefits (2). As of 2026, the combined provisional income thres ...