The distinction that needs to always be made is between “reducing benefits” and “causing SS to be taxable”. Causing it to be taxable at some level is pretty much a given. Married filing jointly and household income over 32k begins to cause SS benefits to be taxable. There is a complicated calculation to determine what percentage of the benefit is taxable. The benefit isn’t reduced, but obammy gets to tax part of it.
Yup good point. Married filing jointly and income over 44,000combined means 85% of her SS is taxed at our nominal rate. In addition the state of Ct takes a bit and she pays FICA and medicare on what she earns. The taxman is always there.