Whether or not your Social Security benefits are taxable depends on your "combined income," which is your adjusted gross income plus any non-taxable interest and half of your Social Security benefits If you file as an individual, you may pay taxes on up to 50% of your benefits if your combined income is between $25,000 and $34,000, and up to 85% if it exceeds $34,000. For joint filers, up to 50% may be taxed if combined income is between $32,000 and $44,000, and up to 85% if it exceeds $44,000.Legislation referred to as the "One Big Beautiful Bill" aims to reduce the tax burden on Social Security benefits for many retirees by introducing an additional deduction for taxpayers aged 65 and older This law includes a temporary $6,000 deduction for individuals age 65 and older ($12,000 for married couples filing jointly where both spouses are 65 or older) for tax years 2025-2028, with the deduction phasing out for higher incomes. As a result of this deduction, analyses suggest that approximately 88% of seniors receiving Social Security will pay no federal income tax on their benefits.
Regarding taking an additional RMD I see no advantage to that as it will raise your income for calculating taxable social security.
