---
title: Social Security Wage Base Increases to $142,800 for 2021
description: Social Security Administration announces the 2021 social security wage base will be $142,800.
image: https://www.americanpayroll.org/images/default-source/default-album/socialsecurity6beb95250fee4a4e90c12cca8c49a07d.jpg?sfvrsn=7574b991_0
---

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By [Jyme Mariani, Esq.](https://blogs.payroll.org/pay-news-now/author/jyme-mariani-esq) on Oct 13, 2020 3:37:47 PM

# Social Security Wage Base Increases to $142,800 for 2021

On October 13, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced that the 2021 social security wage base will be $142,800, which is an increase of $5,100 from $137,700 in 2020 \[SSA, [**Press Release**](https://www.ssa.gov/news/press/releases/2020/#10-2020-1), 10-13-20\].

***Maximum social security tax.*** The FICA tax rate remains 7.65% for 2021 up to the social security wage base (see the [**Social Security Fact Sheet: 2021 Social Security Changes**](https://www.americanpayroll.org/compliance/compliance-overview/annual-irs-annoucements)). The maximum social security tax employees and employers will each pay in 2021 is $8,853.60, an increase of $316.20 from $8,537.40 in 2020.

For more information, see the APA Compliance Update, [**2021 Social Security Wage Base Announced**](https://www.americanpayroll.org/compliance/compliance-updates/2021-social-security-wage-base-announced). Compliance updates are emailed to APA members and are also available on the [**Compliance Updates**](https://www.americanpayroll.org/compliance/compliance-updates) webpage.

To learn more about federal and state laws, regulations, and information to keep your company's payroll operations in compliance, check out [**Payroll Source Plus**](https://ebiz.americanpayroll.org/ebusiness/ProductCatalog/Product.aspx?ID=6067)!

---

*Jyme Mariani, Esq., is Managing Editor of* Payroll Currently *and Payroll Information Resources for the APA.*

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