Social Security is one of the more important social programs the U.S. offers. Since retirement benefits began in 1940, Social Security has helped keep hundreds of millions of people out of poverty, including many of the 52 million who currently receive benefits.

Only nine U.S. states continue to require retirees to pay state income taxes on their Social Security benefits:

Trump Social Security tax plan could bring relief to many middle-class retirees, but it also raises serious questions about long-term financial security. With a proposal to eliminate federal taxes on Social Security benefits,