Fortunately, state Social Security benefit taxation is becoming less common over time. Only the following nine states still have benefit tax laws on the books, but they might not apply to you. The following nine states still have Social Security benefit taxes as of 2025:

Here's how a retired Canton City firefighter got invited to President Joe Biden's signing of the Social Security Fairness Act.

President Joe Biden signed a measure into law on Sunday that boosts Social Security retirement payments to some retirees who draw public pensions, such as former police officers and firefighters, in what the White House described as the first expansion of such benefits in 20 years.

Many retirees look forward to Social Security's annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), which for 2025 is 2.5%. The COLA technically takes effect in December, with beneficiaries seeing updated payments in January.

President Joe Biden signed a measure into law on Sunday that boosts Social Security retirement payments to some retirees who draw public pensions, such as former police officers and firefighters, in what the White House described as the first expansion of such benefits in 20 years.

The Social Security Fairness Act eliminates two provisions that reduced Social Security benefits for some retirees who also received pension income.

Current and former public sector workers in Massachusetts are hailing the passage of the Social Security Fairness Act.

"Americans who have worked hard all their lives to earn an honest living should be able to retire with economic security and dignity," Biden said.

Teachers, firefighters, police and others who earn a separate pension for government work will now get their full Social Security benefits.