Updated 30 March 2026
Social Security Tax Rate 2026
The 2026 Social Security (OASDI) tax rate is 6.2% for employees and 6.2% for employers, totaling 12.4%. The wage base limit is $168,600.
6.2%
Employee Rate
Withheld from your paycheck
6.2%
Employer Rate
Matched by your employer
12.4%
Combined Total
Self-employed pay this full rate
How the Social Security Tax Works
FICA and OASDI
Social Security tax is formally known as OASDI (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance). Together with the 1.45% Medicare tax, it makes up FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) tax. Your pay stub shows FICA as a single line item of 7.65%, but the Social Security portion is 6.2% and the Medicare portion is 1.45%.
Who Pays What
W-2 employees pay 6.2% on their gross wages up to $168,600. Your employer withholds this from each paycheck automatically. Your employer pays a matching 6.2% on top of your salary, which does not come out of your pay.
Self-employed workers pay the full 12.4% through the self-employment tax (Schedule SE). The tax is calculated on 92.35% of net self-employment income (this accounts for the employer-equivalent portion). You can then deduct half of the SE tax on your income tax return as an above-the-line deduction.
What Counts as Taxable Wages
Social Security tax applies to wages, salaries, tips, and net self-employment income. It does not apply to investment income, rental income, interest, dividends, or capital gains. Certain employer-provided benefits like health insurance premiums and contributions to 401(k) plans are also excluded from Social Security wages (though Roth 401(k) contributions are still subject to FICA).
Social Security Tax Calculator
Enter your gross annual income to see your 2026 Social Security tax breakdown.
Your Tax Breakdown
Key Numbers
6.20%
Effective SS tax rate on your income
$168,600
2026 wage base limit
$83,600
below the wage base cap
At $85,000 annual salary, you pay $5,270.00 in Social Security tax (withheld from your paycheck). Your employer matches that with another $5,270.00, bringing the combined total to $10,540.00 per year. You are $83,600 below the wage base cap.
Based on 2026 Social Security tax rates from the SSA. This calculator covers Social Security (OASDI) tax only and does not include the 1.45% Medicare tax or the 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax. Consult a tax professional for complete tax planning.
2026 Wage Base Limit: $168,600
The Social Security wage base is the maximum amount of earned income subject to the 6.2% tax. For 2026, that cap is $168,600. Once your year-to-date earnings reach this threshold, no more Social Security tax is withheld for the rest of the calendar year.
The maximum employee Social Security tax for 2026 is $10,453.20 (6.2% of $168,600). With the employer match, the combined maximum is $20,906.40.
The wage base is adjusted annually by the SSA based on changes in the national average wage index. It has increased every year except when wages stagnated (2009-2011 held at $106,800). Since 2015, the wage base has risen from $118,500 to $168,600, reflecting strong wage growth.
| Year | Wage Base | Employee Rate | Total Rate | Max Employee Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $168,600 | 6.2% | 12.4% | $10,453 |
| 2025 | $168,600 | 6.2% | 12.4% | $10,453 |
| 2024 | $168,600 | 6.2% | 12.4% | $10,453 |
| 2023 | $160,200 | 6.2% | 12.4% | $9,932 |
| 2022 | $147,000 | 6.2% | 12.4% | $9,114 |
| 2021 | $142,800 | 6.2% | 12.4% | $8,854 |
| 2020 | $137,700 | 6.2% | 12.4% | $8,537 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Social Security tax rate for 2026?
The Social Security tax rate for 2026 is 6.2% for employees and 6.2% for employers, totaling 12.4%. Self-employed individuals pay the full 12.4% but can deduct half of it. This rate applies to earnings up to the wage base limit of $168,600.
What is the Social Security wage base limit for 2026?
The 2026 Social Security wage base limit is $168,600. You only pay Social Security tax on the first $168,600 of your earned income. Any wages above that amount are exempt from the 6.2% Social Security tax (though they are still subject to the 1.45% Medicare tax with no cap).
What is the maximum Social Security tax I can pay in 2026?
The maximum employee Social Security tax for 2026 is $10,453.20 (6.2% of $168,600). With the employer match, the total maximum is $20,906.40. Self-employed individuals pay a maximum of $20,906.40, though they can deduct half of that amount.
How is the Social Security tax different from Medicare tax?
Social Security tax (also called OASDI) is 6.2% with a wage base cap of $168,600. Medicare tax is 1.45% with no income cap. Together, they make up the FICA tax (7.65% employee share). High earners also pay an Additional Medicare Tax of 0.9% on wages above $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married filing jointly).
Do self-employed people pay more Social Security tax?
Self-employed people pay the full 12.4% Social Security tax rate (both the employee and employer portions) through the self-employment tax. However, they get two tax breaks: the taxable base is only 92.35% of net self-employment income, and they can deduct half of the SE tax as an above-the-line deduction on their income tax return.
What happens if I have two jobs and exceed the wage base?
If you work multiple W-2 jobs and your combined wages exceed $168,600, each employer withholds Social Security tax independently up to the wage base. You may have excess withholding. You can claim the overpayment as a credit on your federal income tax return (Form 1040). Your employers do not get a refund of their share.
Has the Social Security tax rate changed recently?
The 6.2% employee rate has been unchanged since 1990 (except for a temporary 2% cut in 2011-2012 when it was 4.2%). What changes annually is the wage base limit, which is adjusted for average wage growth. It was $160,200 in 2023, $168,600 in 2024, and $168,600 in 2025 and 2026.
When do I stop paying Social Security tax during the year?
You stop paying Social Security tax once your year-to-date earnings reach $168,600. For someone earning exactly $168,600 spread evenly, this happens with their last paycheck of the year. For higher earners, it happens earlier. Someone earning $337,200 would hit the cap halfway through the year and see larger paychecks in the second half.
Related Resources
MedicareTaxRate.com
2026 Medicare tax rate: 1.45% employee + 1.45% employer. No wage base cap. Plus the 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax for high earners.
SSA Contribution and Benefit Base
Official Social Security Administration page with the full history of contribution and benefit base amounts.
IRS Topic 751: Social Security and Medicare
IRS guidance on FICA withholding, self-employment tax, and how to calculate and report Social Security taxes.
SSA Tax Rate History
Complete history of OASDI and Medicare tax rates from 1937 to the present, published by the SSA.