PayStubPro Editorial Team Published June 26, 2026Last reviewed July 2, 20265 min read
Reviewed by the PayStubPro Payroll Standards Team
Quick answer
FICA stands for the Federal Insurance Contributions Act. On a pay stub it represents Social Security and Medicare taxes, which fund those federal programs. Employees and employers each pay a share.
The two parts of FICA
- Social Security tax: 6.2% of wages up to the annual wage base
- Medicare tax: 1.45% of all wages, with an additional 0.9% on higher earnings
A fictional employee earning $2,000 in a period would see about $124.00 in Social Security and $29.00 in Medicare withheld.
Rates and wage bases are set by federal law and can change annually. Verify current figures with the IRS or a qualified professional.
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Informational disclaimer: This article is educational and general in nature. It does not constitute payroll, tax, accounting or legal advice. For guidance specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional.