What Is FICA? Social Security and Medicare Tax Explained

FICA stands for the Federal Insurance Contributions Act, the 1935 law that created Social Security's payroll-tax funding model. On every paycheck, FICA shows up as two line items: Social Security tax (6.2%) and Medicare tax (1.45%) — together, 7.65% of your wages. See SSA — How is Social Security financed? for the full background.

Unlike federal income tax, FICA is a flat rate (within wage base limits) and is not affected by your filing status or deductions. It comes off the top of your gross pay before any other withholding.

On every dollar of W-2 wages (up to the wage base):

• Social Security tax: 6.2% of wages — funds retirement, disability, and survivors benefits
• Medicare tax: 1.45% of wages — funds hospital insurance for people 65+
• Combined employee share: 7.65%
• Employer match: 7.65% (out of the employer's pocket, not yours)
• Combined total funding the programs: 15.3%

Worked example for a W-2 worker earning $1,000/week:

• Social Security: $62.00
• Medicare: $14.50
• Total FICA withholding: $76.50
• Employer separately pays another $76.50

This is in addition to federal income tax, state income tax (if any), and any voluntary deductions like retirement or health insurance.

Social Security tax stops at the annual wage base. Earnings above the cap are not subject to the 6.2% Social Security portion (Medicare keeps applying with no cap).

The wage base is set by the Social Security Administration each year and adjusts with national average wages:

• 2024 wage base: $168,600
• 2025 wage base: $176,100
• Verify the current year: SSA — Contribution and Benefit Base

For most hourly and flexible workers, the wage base is not a factor — total annual wages stay well below it. For high earners, hitting the cap mid-year means their take-home pay goes up for the rest of the year (the 6.2% line item drops to zero).

Yes — but it's called self-employment tax and you pay both halves yourself.

1099 / self-employed FICA equivalent:

• 12.4% Social Security (the 6.2% employee share + the 6.2% employer share)
• 2.9% Medicare (the 1.45% employee share + the 1.45% employer share)
• Total: 15.3% on net self-employment earnings

This is filed on IRS Schedule SE along with your annual Form 1040. The IRS lets you deduct half of the self-employment tax as an income-tax adjustment (so you're not taxed twice on the employer-share portion).

This is why 'employer of record' platforms matter for hourly workers. A W-2 staffing platform like Indeed Flex covers the employer half of FICA out of its own pocket; a 1099 gig platform passes that 7.65% on to you.

Higher-earning workers pay an extra 0.9% Medicare tax (the Additional Medicare Tax) on wages above an income threshold. This is on top of the regular 1.45% Medicare tax.

2026 thresholds (verify with IRS — Additional Medicare Tax):

• Single: $200,000
• Married filing jointly: $250,000
• Married filing separately: $125,000

Employers begin withholding the additional 0.9% once your year-to-date wages from that employer cross $200,000, regardless of filing status. If you have multiple jobs and your combined wages clear the threshold, reconcile the difference on your tax return.

FICA rates are stable, but wage bases and thresholds adjust annually. Use these primary sources:

• IRS Topic No. 751 — Social Security and Medicare Withholding Rates
• SSA — Contribution and Benefit Base (current Social Security wage base)
• IRS — Additional Medicare Tax FAQ
• IRS Publication 15 (Circular E) — Employer's Tax Guide

For the income-tax piece (separate from FICA), see our Tax Tips for Flexible Workers and the Paycheck Calculator for a personal estimate.