Nunn swings and misses on Social Security

No tax on Social Security benefits!

President Trump has said it. Congressman Nunn has said it.

Problem is: It’s just not true.

What Nunn said

Third District of Iowa Congressman Zach Nunn, representing Polk, Dallas and 19 other central and south-central counties, recently told Iowans at the State Fair that “The One Big Beautiful Bill made a major commitment for folks on Social Security – that means no tax on Social Security.” (“U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn speaks about Social Security on its 90th anniversary,” Des Moines Register Aug. 15)

He repeated that commitment on his website, saying in bold type – “No Taxes on Social Security.” Social Security Secured - Congressman Zach Nunn

Those statements were false.

The Big Beautiful Bill did not end taxes on Social Security benefits. What it DID was create an additional federal income tax deduction for those 65 and over to use in the calculation of taxes owed on all income, acording to GovFacts.

While the experts are still trying to sort out how many taxpayers will be affected and to what extent, one thing is known for sure: millions of Americans due to age or income, including tens of thousands of Iowans, will still pay tax on Social Security benefits.

An Important Omission

In addition to getting the tax cut part of the bill wrong, the congressman failed to mention that the new provision is temporary.

Curious Iowans might want to ask their congressional members—all of whom voted for the bill: “If this provision was so important and would help so many people, why does it end in 2028—after the next general election?”

It seems obvious that Nunn and the rest of the Iowa congressional delegation see short-term tax reductions for some as a vote-getter in upcoming re-election races.

One Other Incorrect Statement

At the same State Fair event, Rep. Nunn was asked if this tax break for some Americans could reduce the amount of money going into the Social Security system and move up the date that it would be unable to fully pay benefits?

His response: “That’s absolutely incorrect.” He went on to say that those who believed that should “come and talk with us because we hold forums on this a lot…”

As constituents, we are unaware of any such forums on this topic open to the general public. It’s our understanding that Nunn has held no well-advertised, open-to-the-public forums on any topic in the district since taking office.

The Facts on Social Security Solvency

Because tax cuts in the Big Beautiful Bill DO mean less money going into the Social Security system, experts have moved up the date when Social Security will no longer be able to pay the full amount of monthly retirement benefits, from 2033 to 2032, according to AARP.

Rather than securing the system, as Nunn has stated, the bill weakened it.

The day of reckoning is known. Will our elected leaders summon up the courage to deal with it now, while it’s an easier problem to solve, or will they just talk about it. Or just delay action by filing meaningless bills calling for more study.

The Social Security funding problem is not complicated; it’s basic math. There are multiple known ways to fix it. The problem is the politics. No one wants to lead. Everyone wants to wait because they don’t want to vote on something that might not please everyone. If elected officials are afraid of upsetting some people, they should seek another line of work.

Our request of U.S. Rep. Nunn and our entire Iowa congressional delegation – do your job. Tackle this issue head on. Now, rather than someday. Be a leader, not a lemming.

We want to trust those we elect to know what they are talking about, and to shoot straight with us. In this case, we got neither. That’s unacceptable.

John and Terri Hale own The Hale Group, an Ankeny-based advocacy firm focused on older Iowans. John had a 25-year career with the Social Security Administration, working in Iowa field offices, the Kansas City regional office, and its Baltimore headquarters. terriandjohnhale@gmail.com