Real Tax Impacts of Social Security on Your Estate and Taxes Tax and Finance Professionals: I’m working on a personal finance article examining how Social Security benefits affect estate planning and taxes, including what retirees and heirs often misunderstand. I’m looking to speak with a U.S.-based financial, tax or estate planning professional who can explain the real-world implications. Interview Questions, or provide your own commentary 1. How are Social Security benefits treated for federal income tax purposes in retirement? 2. In what ways can Social Security increase or complicate a retiree’s overall tax picture? 3. Does Social Security pass to heirs, and what happens to benefits when someone dies? 4. How does Social Security factor into estate planning decisions, if at all? 5. Can Social Security benefits indirectly affect estate taxes through provisional income or RMDs? How so? What does this look like? 6. What mistakes do retirees commonly make when assuming Social Security is tax-free? 7. How do survivor benefits differ from inherited retirement accounts in estate planning? What is the impact on your estate/taxes? 8. Are there scenarios where delaying or timing benefits can reduce long-term tax exposure? 9. What should retirees communicate to heirs about Social Security expectations?