Social Security Tax Rate
Updated October 2026 · 2026 figures from the Social Security Administration and IRS
The Social Security tax rate is 6.2% for employees and 6.2% for employers (12.4% in total) in 2026, on wages up to $184,500. Self-employed people pay the full 12.4%. With Medicare's 1.45% (2.9% self-employed), total FICA is 7.65% from employees and 15.3% for the self-employed.
Below: the 2026 numbers, the maximum anyone pays, how self-employment tax is figured and how to get back extra tax withheld by two employers.
2026 FICA tax rates at a glance
| Tax | Employee | Employer | Self-employed | Applies to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social Security (OASDI) | 6.2% | 6.2% | 12.4% | Earnings up to $184,500 |
| Medicare (HI) | 1.45% | 1.45% | 2.9% | All earnings |
| Additional Medicare tax | 0.9% | — | 0.9% | Over $200,000 (single) / $250,000 (joint) |
| Total up to the wage base | 7.65% | 7.65% | 15.3% |
Sources: SSA 2026 COLA fact sheet; IRS Topic 751.
The 2026 wage base: $184,500
The Social Security tax rate itself has been 6.2% since 1990; what changes each year is the cap. The tax stops once your earnings for the year reach the taxable maximum (wage base), which rises with average wages each year. Medicare tax has no cap.
| Year | Wage base | Max employee tax (6.2%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $147,000 | $9,114 |
| 2023 | $160,200 | $9,932.40 |
| 2024 | $168,600 | $10,453.20 |
| 2025 | $176,100 | $10,918.20 |
| 2026 | $184,500 | $11,439 |
The maximum Social Security tax in 2026 is $11,439 for an employee (matched by the employer) and $22,878 for a self-employed person.
Social Security tax rate for self-employed people
- Multiply net self-employment earnings by 92.35% (this mirrors the employer half being deductible).
- Apply 12.4% Social Security tax to that amount up to $184,500 (minus any wages you also earned) and 2.9% Medicare tax to all of it.
- Deduct half of the self-employment tax when you figure your adjusted gross income.
Example: $80,000 net profit × 92.35% = $73,880. Social Security: $73,880 × 12.4% = $9,161.12. Medicare: $73,880 × 2.9% = $2,142.52. Total $11,303.64, half of which ($5,651.82) is deductible.
You need net self-employment earnings of at least $400 to owe the tax — and to earn Social Security credits from that work.
Two jobs? You may get money back
Each employer withholds 6.2% up to the wage base, without knowing about the other. If your combined wages in 2026 top $184,500, your total withholding can exceed $11,439. You claim the excess as a credit on your Form 1040 (Schedule 3). Employers don't get their extra share back.
What your Social Security tax buys
The tax funds retirement, disability and survivor benefits. Each $1,890 of covered earnings in 2026 earns one work credit, up to four a year; 40 credits qualify you for retirement benefits. Earnings up to the wage base also count toward your benefit amount — see how Social Security is calculated.
Do retirees still pay Social Security tax?
Yes, on wages and self-employment income, at any age — even while collecting benefits. Benefits themselves aren't subject to the 6.2% payroll tax, but up to 85% of them can be subject to income tax: see whether Social Security income is taxable.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Social Security tax rate for 2026?
6.2% for employees and 6.2% for employers, or 12.4% for self-employed workers, on earnings up to $184,500. Medicare adds 1.45% each (2.9% self-employed) on all earnings.
What is the maximum Social Security tax for 2026?
$11,439 for an employee (6.2% of $184,500), with the employer paying the same. A self-employed person pays up to $22,878.
Is there a cap on Medicare tax?
No. The 1.45% Medicare tax applies to all earnings, and an extra 0.9% applies above $200,000 for single filers or $250,000 for joint filers.
What is FICA?
FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) tax is the combined Social Security and Medicare payroll tax: 7.65% for employees on wages up to the Social Security wage base.
Do I pay Social Security tax after 65?
Yes. If you work, you pay Social Security and Medicare tax on your wages at any age, even while you receive benefits.