Fixing Social Security is far more important than reducing income taxes

We've just suffered through a lengthy partisan debate about income taxes. The result is lower taxes for corporations which are already doing great as evidenced by soaring stock prices. Even before the newly passed tax reduction, many corporations have so much extra cash that they are buying back shares rather than buying new equipment or hiring more employees. The ultra wealthy got a huge tax reduction in terms of raising the amount of wealth exempt from the estate tax. This increase in the estate tax exemption helps wealthy families maintain their dynasties, further increasing the great divide between the top 1% and the rest of Americans.
The small tax cuts for the middle class will expire and the deficit is ballooning, meaning Congress will start talking about cutting benefits for lower and middle income families. See:
GOP Laying Groundwork To Cut Future Social Security, Medicare, Welfare Outlays
https://www.fa-mag.com/news/gop-laying-groundwork-to-overhaul-entitlement-programs-36060.html
What we really need Congress to do is to "fix" Social Security to ensure its long term viability! "The Social Security Trust Fund is currently projected to deplete its surplus in 2034, and policymakers of all stripes know a reckoning is coming." For some SENSIBLE ideas on how to act, check out the latest from the Center for Retirement Research:

How Social Security Gets Fixed Matters: http://squaredawayblog.bc.edu/squared-away/how-social-security-gets-fixed-matters/

How to figure taxes on Social Security Benefits

 Are My Social Security Benefits Taxable?  How to Understand Form SSA-1099 and Determine whether You Owe Taxes

"Depending on the amount of alternate income that you have in retirement and your filing status, you could owe taxes on up to 85% of your Social Security benefits." When you receive Social Security income, "you will also receive a Form SSA-1099 from the government. This form tells you the total amount of your benefits but does not tell you if any of your benefits are taxable, or at what percentage." Read this article to understand if you owe income taxes and how to calculate the amount: https://www.moneytips.com/are-my-social-security-benefits-taxable

How much of SS Benefit is Taxable?

Up to 85% of Social Security retirement benefits are subject to income taxes for persons with $34,000 income and above. Check out this table to calculate if your benefits are taxable, and if so, what percent are subject to income taxes:  http://networthadvice.com/2013/01/23/are-social-security-benefits-taxed/