Tax

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 tax meaning

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.

OASDI meaning
Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance.
On a paycheck
The Social Security portion of payroll tax withheld from covered employee wages.
2026 employee rate
6.2% of covered wages up to the annual taxable maximum.
Employer match
Employers generally contribute another 6.2%.
2026 wage base
$184,500. Earnings above this annual limit are not subject to OASDI tax for 2026.

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.

Further Reading

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What does OASDI tax mean on my paycheck?

OASDI is the Social Security portion of payroll tax. It funds retirement, survivor, and disability benefits under the federal Social Security program.

What is the OASDI tax rate for 2026?

For 2026, the employee OASDI rate is generally 6.2% and the employer contributes another 6.2%. Self-employed workers generally pay the combined 12.4% rate through self-employment tax.

What is the 2026 OASDI taxable wage limit?

The Social Security taxable maximum for 2026 is $184,500. Covered earnings above that annual amount are not subject to additional OASDI tax for that year.

Is OASDI the same as Social Security tax?

Yes. OASDI is the formal name for the Social Security portion of federal payroll tax. It is separate from Medicare tax.

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