What is OASDI Tax?
OASDI is the Social Security payroll tax. Learn what OASDI means on a paycheck, the 2026 employee rate, employer match, and taxable wage limit.
OASDI is the Social Security tax withheld from covered earnings.
OASDI stands for Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance. In 2026, employees generally pay 6.2% and employers match 6.2% on covered wages up to the $184,500 Social Security taxable maximum. Self-employed workers generally pay the combined 12.4% OASDI rate through self-employment tax.
What Does OASDI Mean?
OASDI stands for Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance. It is the Social Security portion of federal payroll tax and helps fund retirement, survivor, and disability benefits.
OASDI Tax Rate and Wage Base for 2026
For 2026, employees generally pay 6.2% of covered wages and employers match 6.2%. The Social Security taxable maximum is $184,500. Self-employed workers generally pay the combined 12.4% OASDI rate through self-employment tax.
OASDI vs Medicare Tax
OASDI funds Social Security and applies only up to the annual Social Security wage base. Medicare tax is separate and generally applies without the same annual wage cap.