Question: are social security benefits taxed as ordinary income?
Answer: For combined income between $25,000 and $34,000, up to 50 percent of Social Security benefits may be subject to ordinary income taxes. For income above $34,000, up to 85 percent of benefits may be taxed. ... For combined income between $32,000 and $44,000, up to 50 percent of Social Security benefits may be taxable.