Historical FICA Tax Information

Social Security and Medicare taxes are based on gross earnings of each employee each year. Self-employment taxes are based on net income of the self-employed person each year.
YearSocial SecurityMedicareSelf-Employment
20096.2% on first $106,8001.45% on all 15.3% on first $106,800
2.9% over $106,800
20086.2% on first $102,0001.45% on all 15.3% on first $102,000
2.9% over $102,000
20076.2% on first $97,5001.45% on all 15.3% on first $97,500
2.9% over $97,500
20066.2% on first $94,2001.45% on all 15.3% on first $94,200
2.9% over $94,200
20056.2% on first $90,0001.45% on all 15.3% on first $90,000
2.9% over $90,000
20046.2% on first $87,9001.45% on all 15.3% on first $87,900
2.9% over $87,900
20036.2% on first $87,0001.45% on all 15.3% on first $87,000
2.9% over $87,000
20026.2% on first $84,9001.45% on all 15.3% on first $84,900
2.9% over $84,900
20016.2% on first $80,4001.45% on all 15.3% on first $80,400
2.9% over $80,400
20006.2% on first $76,2001.45% on all 15.3% on first $76,200
2.9% over $76,200
19996.2% on first $72,6001.45% on all 15.3% on first $72,600
2.9% over $72,600
19986.2% on first $68,4001.45% on all 15.3% on first $68,400
2.9% over $68,400
19976.2% on first $65,4001.45% on all 15.3% on first $65,400
2.9% over $65,400
19966.2% on first $62,7001.45% on all 15.3% on first $62,700
2.9% over $62,700
19956.2% on first $61,2001.45% on all 15.3% on first $61,200
2.9% over $61,200
19946.2% on first $60,6001.45% on all 15.3% on first $60,600
2.9% over $60,600
19936.2% on first $57,6001.45% on first $135,000 15.3% on first $57,600
2.9% from $57,600 to $135,000
19926.2% on first $55,5001.45% on first $130,200 15.3% on first $55,500
2.9% from $55,500 to $130,200
19916.2% on first $53,4001.45% on first $125,000 15.3% on first $53,400
2.9% from $53,400 to $125,000

Prior to 1991, Social Security and Medicare contributions were combined in a single tax.
YearFICASelf-Employment
19907.65% on first $51,30015.3% on first $51,300
19897.51% on first $48,00013.02% on first $48,000
19887.51% on first $45,00013.02% on first $45,000
19877.15% on first $43,80012.3% on first $43,800
19867.15% on first $42,00012.3% on first $42,000
19857.05% on first $39,60011.8% on first $39,600
19846.7% on first $37,80011.3% on first $37,800
19836.7% on first $35,7009.35% on first $35,700
19826.7% on first $32,4009.35% on first $32,400
19816.65% on first $29,7009.3% on first $29,700
19806.13% on first $25,9008.1% on first $25,900
19796.13% on first $22,9008.1% on first $22,900
19786.05% on first $17,7008.1% on first $17,700
19775.85% on first $16,5007.9% on first $16,500
19765.85% on first $15,3007.9% on first $15,300
19755.85% on first $14,1007.9% on first $14,100
19745.85% on first $13,2007.9% on first $13,200
19735.85% on first $10,8008% on first $10,800
19725.2% on first $9,0007.5% on first $9,000
19715.2% on first $7,8007.5% on first $7,800
1969-19704.8% on first $7,8006.9% on first $7,800
19684.4% on first $7,8006.4% on first $7,800
19674.4% on first $6,6006.4% on first $6,600
19664.2% on first $6,6006.15% on first $6,600
1963-19653.625% on first $4,8005.4% on first $4,800
19623.125% on first $4,8004.7% on first $4,800
1960-19613% on first $4,8004.5% on first $4,800
19592.5% on first $4,8003.75% on first $4,800
1957-19582.25% on first $4,2003.375% on first $4,200
1955-19562% on first $4,2003% on first $4,200
19542% on first $3,6003% on first $3,600
1951-19531.5% on first $3,6002.25% on first $3,600

Prior to 1951, self-employed persons were not taxed for, nor received benefits from, the Social Security program.
YearFICA
19501.5% on first $3,000
1937-19491% on first $3,000

Sources: