Is Social Security tax considered an optional deduction from your paycheck?

Social Security tax is a mandatory deduction from your paycheck, meaning that all eligible employees are required to contribute to the Social Security system. This tax funds the benefits that will eventually be paid to retirees, the disabled, and survivors of deceased workers. The law mandates that employers withhold Social Security taxes from employees' wages as a part of the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA), which also includes Medicare tax.

The tax rate is set by the federal government, and all employees, regardless of their income level, are subject to it up to a certain income cap. Because this deduction is enforced by law and not left to the discretion of individual employees or employers, it is not optional. This understanding clarifies the nature of Social Security taxes and underscores their role in funding essential social programs.