thanx
SSA has it wrong then
https://www.ssa.gov/planners/taxes.html
file a joint return, and you and your spouse have a combined income* that is
between $32,000 and $44,000, you may have to pay income tax on up to 50 percent of your benefits.
more than $44,000, up to 85 percent of your benefits may be taxable.
” up to 85 percent of your benefits may be taxable”
I think I’m in line with SS on this. They’re saying that if you get $1000, up to $850 could be subject to federal income tax...but NOT that one would pay up to $850 in federal income tax (leaving only $150 post-tax), as implied by many people (both intentionally or not).