Social Security tax funds retirement, disability, and survivor benefits — your contributions today build your future benefit.
You pay 6.2% of wages up to the annual wage base ($176,100 in 2025). Your employer matches this. Above the wage base, no more Social Security tax applies for the rest of the year — but Medicare tax continues uncapped.
Your future Social Security retirement benefit is calculated from your 35 highest-earning years (adjusted for inflation). You need at least 40 "credits" (roughly 10 years of work) to qualify for retirement benefits at all.
Full retirement age is 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later. You can claim as early as 62 (at a permanently reduced benefit) or delay up to 70 (increasing your benefit).
Calculate your Social Security tax.
Use the Social Security Tax Calculator →Retirement benefit projections depend on your full earnings history. Check your personalized estimate at ssa.gov.