If you rely on Social Security benefits, you’ve probably heard a lot of talk recently about what the future may hold. With President Trump back in office and making sweeping changes across federal agencies, many are wondering: Will Social Security be safe? Here’s what you should know right now.
1. Trump Says He Won’t Cut Social Security Benefits
President Trump has made public promises that Social Security won’t be touched. Just last month, he told Fox News that “Social Security won’t be touched, other than if there’s fraud or something. It’s going to be strengthened.”
But it’s worth watching what happens behind the scenes. While Trump says he’s not cutting Social Security, he has voiced support for a House budget proposal that includes deep cuts to Medicaid. That’s important because these types of budget plans can shift quickly, especially if deficit reduction becomes a higher priority.
The bottom line? Even if benefits aren’t directly cut, other changes—like administrative cuts to the SSA or changes to eligibility—could still impact the services people depend on.
2. Trump Wants to End Taxes on Social Security Benefits
Currently, depending on your income, you may be required to pay taxes on a portion of your Social Security benefits. For single filers, taxes kick in if you make more than $25,000 a year. For married couples, the threshold is $32,000. Up to 85% of your benefits can be taxed depending on your income.
President Trump has said he wants to eliminate these taxes entirely. On the surface, this appears to be good news. However, here’s the catch: cutting those taxes could result in a $1.5 trillion reduction in federal revenue over 10 years, according to the University of Pennsylvania’s budget office and reported on by USA Today.
That kind of hit could push lawmakers to make up the difference elsewhere—which could circle back to benefit reductions or cost-saving measures in programs like Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid.
3. Inflation Goals Could Lower COLAs
Social Security benefits are adjusted each year to help keep up with inflation. This is called the Cost-of-Living Adjustment, or COLA. In 2025, the COLA was 2.5%. Whether that’s enough depends on who you ask, but many say these adjustments haven’t kept pace with the rising cost of living—especially for older adults.
Trump has said he wants to lower inflation, and while that may sound helpful, it also means future COLAs could shrink. That’s because the Social Security Administration uses inflation data to calculate your annual raise. If prices go up more slowly—or stop rising altogether—COLAs may be smaller, even as rent, food, and utility costs remain high.
For retirees or disabled workers living on a fixed income, that can feel like a cut in real terms.
The Takeaway
Trump says benefits won’t be cut, but other changes—like reduced COLAs, tax changes, or agency budget cuts—could still impact how far your Social Security goes. If you depend on these benefits, it’s important to keep paying attention. What sounds good in a sound bite may look very different in practice.
