News and Media

Newsweek | Social Security Update: Payout Shift Triggers Drop in Personal Income

Published: July 8, 2025

Martha Shedden, president and co-founder of the National Association of Registered Social Security Analysts, told Newsweek: “Beneficiaries affected by the Social Security Fairness Act were issued retroactive checks by the SSA for their new monthly amounts, some for as many as 16 months back to January 2024. Those individuals are now receiving higher monthly benefit checks that will not change going forward except for the annual COLAs each January.”

ThinkAdvisor | How the New $6,000 Tax Deduction for Seniors Really Works

Published: July 7, 2025

Martha Shedden, President of the National Association of Registered Social Security Analysts (NARSSA), is featured as an expert, explaining how the new deduction may increase benefits for many retirees—but cautions that eliminating Social Security taxes entirely could accelerate trust fund depletion and jeopardize the program’s long-term solvency.

U.S. News & World Report | What Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill Act Means for Seniors

Published: July 7, 2025

The article breaks down what the “Big Beautiful Bill” means for Social Security recipients. Martha Shedden is quoted, clarifying that the SSA’s explanation may give a misleading impression of the bill’s true impact.

The New York Times | Social Security Email Says Policy Bill Eliminates Tax on Benefits. Does It?

Published: July 6, 2025

While this new bill doesn’t eliminate taxes on Social Security benefits, the new deduction will shield many recipients from having to pay them. NARSSA co-founder Martha Shedden is quoted in the story.

CBS News | Does the “big, beautiful bill” eliminate taxes on Social Security?

Published: July 5, 2025

A new bill backed by Trump doesn’t eliminate taxes on Social Security benefits but offers a temporary deduction, up to $6,000 for individuals and $12,000 for couples, to help reduce or eliminate those taxes for many seniors through 2028. The tax itself still exists. NARSSA co-founder Martha Shedden is quoted in the story.

Investopedia | Instead of Eliminating Social Security Taxes, the Big Beautiful Bill Provides a ‘Senior Bonus’

Published: July 2, 2025

If passed, the “Big Beautiful Bill” will not eliminate taxes on Social Security benefits. Instead, it provides a temporary deduction from 2025 to 2028, which may lower or temporarily “eliminate” taxes for many seniors, but the tax itself still exists. Martha Shedden is quoted and warns the deduction could accelerate depletion of the Social Security trust funds, potentially worsening the program’s long-term solvency.