The Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) tax on wages is 7.65 percent each for the employee and the employer. FICA tax has two components:
- a 6.2 percent Social Security tax, also known as Old Age, Survivors, And Disability Insurance (OASDI); and
- a 1.45 percent Medicare tax, also known as hospital insurance (HI).
- a 12.4 percent OASDI tax; and
- a 2.9 percent HI tax.
For 2021, the wage base is $142,800. Thus, OASDI tax applies only to the taxpayer's first $142,800 in wages or net earnings from self-employment. Taxpayers do not pay any OASDI tax on earnings that exceed $142,800.
There is no wage cap for HI tax.
Maximum Social Security Tax for 2021
For workers who earn $142,800 or more in 2021:
- an employee will pay a total of $8,853.60 in social security tax ($142,800 x 6.2 percent);
- the employer will pay the same amount; and
- a self-employed worker will pay a total of $17,707.20 in social security tax ($142,800 x 12.4 percent).
Higher-income workers may have to pay an Additional Medicare tax of 0.9 percent. This tax applies to wages and self-employment income that exceed:
- $250,000 for married taxpayers who file a joint return;
- $125,000 for married taxpayers who file separate returns; and
- $200,000 for other taxpayers.
Benefits Increase for 2021
Finally, a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will increase social security and SSI benefits for 2019 by 1.3 percent. The COLA is intended to ensure that inflation does not erode the purchasing power of these benefits.