This is Part 3 of our 3-part series on taxes in retirement. For Part 1, click here, and for Part 2, click here.

Federal and state taxes can take a bite out of your Social Security — but with the right strategy, you can keep more of what you’ve earned.

Here are a few ways to reduce your tax burden:

• Diversify your income sources. Roth IRA withdrawals aren’t counted as taxable income.
• Delay your benefits. Waiting until full retirement age (or later) increases your monthly check.
• Keep income below key thresholds. Managing taxable distributions helps reduce how much of your benefits are taxed.

These tools aren’t just for the wealthy — they’re for anyone who wants to get the most out of retirement. Small changes today can lead to more money tomorrow.

We’re also fighting for a bigger solution: our petition to make high yearly Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) a guarantee. No matter where you live or how much you make, every retiree deserves a fairer, more secure retirement.

Together, we can push for real change and real savings. Consider signing our Social Security petition to raise benefits and compensate seniors for years when COLAs were skipped.