At what point do you stop paying Social Security taxes?

Asked by: Stephania McDermott I  |  Last update: May 4, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (74 votes)

It may have been 70, 72, or even 65. Well, whatever age you've had in mind, it's time to put this Social Security tax myth to rest. The fact is, there is no specific age at which your Social Security benefits automatically become nontaxable.

At what point do you no longer pay Social Security tax?

There is a maximum amount of income per year that is subject to Social Security tax. For tax year 2024, that amount is $168,600. Any income earned in excess of this amount is exempt from the tax.

What is the cutoff for paying Social Security tax?

Employees and employers are each required to pay a 6.2% tax on wages. In 2025, the limit is $176,100, which means you'll pay no more than $10,918.20 in Social Security taxes ($176,100 x 6.2%) in 2025. This tax cap rises each year, increasing from $168,600 in 2024 and $160,200 in 2023.

At what age do I stop paying taxes on Social Security?

Social Security income can be taxable no matter how old you are. It all depends on whether your total combined income exceeds a certain level set for your filing status. You may have heard that Social Security income is not taxed after age 70; this is false.

Who is exempt from paying Social Security taxes?

Children under 18 who work for their parents in a family-owned business also do not have to pay Social Security taxes. Likewise, people under 21 who work as housekeepers, babysitters, gardeners or perform similar domestic work are exempt from this tax.

How To Stop Paying Taxes on Your Social Security

16 related questions found

What age can you stop filing income taxes?

At What Age Can You Stop Filing Taxes? Taxes aren't determined by age, so you will never age out of paying taxes. People who are 65 or older at the end of 2024 have to file a return for tax year 2024 (which is due in 2025) if their gross income is $16,550 or higher.

Do church employees pay Social Security taxes?

If you work for a nonprofit or religious organization, the law requires you to pay Social Security taxes on your earnings of $100 or more. Some religious groups oppose paying Social Security taxes. The law allows these groups to not participate in the Social Security program.

At what income is Social Security not taxed?

If you file your income tax return as an individual with a total income that's less than $25,000, you won't have to pay taxes on your Social Security benefits. Single filers with a combined income of $25,000 to $34,000 must pay income taxes on up to 50% of their Social Security benefits.

When my husband dies, do I get his Social Security and mine?

You cannot claim your deceased spouse's benefits in addition to your own retirement benefits. Social Security only will pay one—survivor or retirement.

How do I get the $16728 Social Security bonus?

Specifically, a rumored $16,728 bonus that had people wondering if it was true or not in 2024? Sadly, there's no real “bonus” that retirees who receive Social Security can collect.

Is Social Security going to be taxed in 2025?

Missouri and Kansas elected to stop taxing Social Security benefits in 2024, as did Kansas shortly thereafter, leaving only nine states in the union that will still tax benefits in 2025. Find out whether your current state (or dream retirement state) will be taxing your Social Security benefits.

At what age can you earn unlimited income on Social Security?

How much can you earn and still get benefits? later, then your full retirement age for retirement insurance benefits is 67. If you work, and are at full retirement age or older, you may keep all of your benefits, no matter how much you earn.

Why is Social Security taxed twice?

“This is simply a way for Congress to obtain more revenue for the federal government at the expense of seniors who have already paid into Social Security.

What is the highest Social Security payment?

The maximum Social Security benefit at full retirement age is $3,822 per month in 2024. It will be $4,018 a month in 2025. It's $4,873 per month in 2024 if retiring at age 70 and $2,710 if retiring at age 62. A person's Social Security benefit amount depends on earnings, full retirement age and when they take benefits.

Do seniors still get an extra tax deduction?

Taxpayers 65 and older qualify for an additional standard deduction, reducing their taxable income. The extra deduction amount differs based on filing status and whether the taxpayer or spouse is blind. The IRS updates the deduction amounts annually for inflation, impacting tax filings.

Can two wives collect Social Security from one husband?

Each survivor benefit can be up to 100% of your benefit. The amount may be reduced if the women start benefits before their own full retirement age, but they don't have to share — the amount isn't reduced because you've had more than one spouse.

At what age do you get 100% of your Social Security?

For anyone born 1960 or later, full retirement benefits are payable at age 67.

How much does a wife get of her husband's Social Security if he dies?

Surviving spouse, any age, with a child younger than age 16, gets 75% of the worker's benefit amount. Child gets 75% of the worker's benefit amount. There's a limit to the benefits we can pay to you and other family members each month. The limit varies between 150% and 180% of the deceased worker's benefit amount.

Does a 70 year old have to pay taxes on Social Security?

While you may have heard at some point that Social Security is no longer taxable after 70 or some other age, this isn't the case. In reality, Social Security is taxed at any age if your income exceeds a certain level.

Do 401k withdrawals count as income for Social Security?

The short answer is no, taking a distribution from your 401(k) does not impact your eligibility for (or the amount of) your Social Security benefits.

What religious group is exempt from Social Security?

Background related to enumeration of the Amish and Mennonites (and other religious exempt communities) The Social Security Amendments of 1965 and 1967 provided an exemption from some aspects of coverage for those individuals who are members of religious sects that make provisions for their dependent members.

What does seca stand for?

The self-employed pay Self-Employed Contributions Act (SECA) taxes on net earnings. SECA taxes also fund Social Security and Medicare. The self-employed pay both the employee and the employer share of SECA.

Why do pastors not pay Social Security?

Pastors can file their federal income taxes as an employee of their church (FICA) but must file their Social Security tax as self-employed (SECA). The church is not even allowed to pay the other half of Social Security taxes for the pastor because churches are tax-free.