Receiving your first paycheck is an empowering milestone. But do you remember being a bit shocked by the taxes that Uncle Sam takes out of each paycheck? Understanding how important your contribution is takes some of the sting away because your taxes are helping millions of Americans — and financially securing your today and tomorrow.
By law, employers must withhold Social Security taxes from workers’ paychecks. While usually referred to as “Social Security taxes,” sometimes the deduction is labeled as “FICA,” which is the acronym for Federal Insurance Contributions Act, a reference to the original Social Security Act. In some cases, you will see “OASDI,” which stands for Old Age Survivors Disability Insurance, the official name for the Social Security Insurance program.
The taxes you pay now mean a lifetime of protection — for retirement in old age or in the event of disability. And when you die, your family (or future family) may be able to receive survivors benefits based on your work, as well.
Right now, you probably have family members — grandparents, for example — who already are enjoying Social Security benefits that your Social Security taxes help provide. Social Security is solvent now and will be through 2033. At that point, we’ll be able to fund retirement benefits at 75 percent unless changes are made to the law. In the past, Social Security has evolved to meet the needs of a changing population — and you can count on Social Security in the future.
Because you’re a long way from retirement, you may have not see the value of benefit payments that could be many decades in the future. Keep in mind, however, that the Social Security taxes you are paying now can provide valuable disability or survivors benefits in the event the unexpected happens. Studies show that of today’s 20-year-olds, about one in four will become disabled, and about one in eight will die, before reaching retirement.
Be warned: If an employer offers to unlawfully pay you “under the table,” you should refuse. They may try to sell it as a benefit to you since you get a few extra dollars in your net pay. But you are really only allowing the employer to deprive you of earning your Social Security credits. This could keep you from qualifying for any benefits, or result in your receiving less than you should.
Also, do not carry your Social Security card around with you. It’s an important document that you should safeguard and protect. If it’s lost or stolen, it could fall into the hands of an identity thief.
Check out our webinar, “Social Security 101: What’s in it for me?” The webinar explains what you need to know about Social Security. You can find it at https://www.ssa.gov/multimedia/webinars/social_security_101.html.
If you’d like to learn a little more about Social Security and exactly what you’re earning for yourself by paying Social Security taxes, take a look at our online booklet, How You Earn Credits, at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10072.html.
You can also learn more at www.socialsecurity.gov.
Jane Yamamoto-Burigsay is Social Security’s public affairs specialist in Hawai‘i.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
GENERAL
Question: I received a notice from Social Security recently. It said my name and Social Security number do not match Social Security’s records. What should I do?
Answer: It is critical that your name and Social Security number, as shown on your Social Security card, match your employer’s payroll records and your W-2 form. If they don’t, here’s what you need to do:
• Give your employer the correct information exactly as shown on your Social Security card or your corrected card; or
• Contact your local Social Security office (www.socialsecurity.gov/locator) or call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) if your Social Security card does not show your correct name or Social Security number.
For more information, visit our website at www.socialsecurity.gov.
RETIREMENT
Question: I work in retirement. How much can I earn and still collect full Social Security retirement benefits?
Answer: Social Security uses the formulas below, depending on your age, to determine how much you can earn before we must reduce your benefit:
• If you are younger than full retirement age: $1 in benefits will be deducted for each $2 you earn above the annual limit. For 2016, that limit is $15,720.
• In the year you reach your full retirement age: $1 in benefits will be deducted for each $3 you earn above a different limit, but we count only earnings before the month you reach full retirement age. For 2016, this limit is $41,880.
• Starting with the month you reach full retirement age: you will get your benefits with no limit on your earnings.
Find out your full retirement age at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/ageincrease.htm.
