According to the SSA, recipients will pay federal income taxes on their benefits if their combined income (50% of their benefit amount plus any other earned income) exceeds $25,000/year filing individually or $32,000/year filing jointly. Instead of no tax on social security, the bill includes other tax relief for seniors.

For most Americans, Social Security income isn't a luxury -- it's a foundational part of their financial well-being. More than two decades of annual surveys from national pollster Gallup have consistently found that between 80% and 90% of retirees lean on their Social Security check, to some degree, to cover their expenses.

This deduction would likely benefit people who earn modest incomes. The lowest-earning seniors already pay no federal income taxes, so they wouldn’t benefit. The highest earners make too much to qualify.