Pay stub glossary
What is FICA on a pay stub?
FICA is the combined Social Security and Medicare tax taken from every paycheck. For 2026 the employee share is 7.65% of wages: 6.2% for Social Security up to $184,500 and 1.45% for Medicare with no cap. The employer pays a matching 7.65%.
Updated 2026-10-02 · 2026 tax year
Federal Insurance Contributions Act
Example: on $60,000 of 2026 wages, Social Security tax is $3,720 and Medicare tax is $870, $4,590 in total.