Medicare Wages

Medicare wages are the earnings on which you pay the Medicare tax. Most Americans' wages are subject to this tax. Paying Medicare taxes for 40 quarters (10 years) can make you eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A when you enroll.

Christian Simmons, writer and researcher for RetireGuide
  • Written by
    Christian Simmons

    Christian Simmons

    Financial Writer

    Christian Simmons is a writer for RetireGuide and a member of the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education (AFCPE®). He covers Medicare and important retirement topics. Christian is a former winner of a Florida Society of News Editors journalism contest and has written professionally since 2016.

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    Lamia Chowdhury, editor for RetireGuide.com

    Lamia Chowdhury

    Financial Editor

    Lamia Chowdhury is a financial content editor for RetireGuide and has over three years of marketing experience in the finance industry. She has written copy for both digital and print pieces ranging from blogs, radio scripts and search ads to billboards, brochures, mailers and more.

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    Stephen Kates, CFP®

    Stephen Kates, CFP®

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    Stephen Kates is a Certified Financial Planner™ professional and personal finance expert with over a decade of experience working with individuals and families who need help with their finances. With experience as a financial advisor for two of the largest financial firms in the country, Stephen has worked with hundreds of clients to build comprehensive financial plans to grow and protect their wealth.

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  • Published: April 13, 2022
  • Updated: September 22, 2023
  • 3 min read time
  • This page features 4 Cited Research Articles
Fact Checked
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A licensed insurance professional reviewed this page for accuracy and compliance with the CMS Medicare Communications and Marketing Guidelines (MCMGs) and Medicare Advantage (MA/MAPD) and/or Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) carriers’ guidelines.

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APA Simmons, C. (2023, September 22). Medicare Wages. RetireGuide.com. Retrieved October 3, 2024, from https://www.retireguide.com/medicare/costs-and-coverage/tax/medicare-wages/

MLA Simmons, Christian. "Medicare Wages." RetireGuide.com, 22 Sep 2023, https://www.retireguide.com/medicare/costs-and-coverage/tax/medicare-wages/.

Chicago Simmons, Christian. "Medicare Wages." RetireGuide.com. Last modified September 22, 2023. https://www.retireguide.com/medicare/costs-and-coverage/tax/medicare-wages/.

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What Are Medicare Wages?

Medicare is similar to many other government programs in that the program is funded through taxpayer dollars. According to the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the total amount spent on Medicare reached nearly $830 billion in 2020. The trade-off for you having access to affordable Medicare coverage in retirement is that you must make regular contributions to the program throughout your income-earning years.

The Medicare tax is deducted from your paychecks through a payroll tax known as FICA, or the Federal Insurance Contributions Act. This tax, which virtually all working Americans must pay, supports the funding of both the Medicare and Social Security programs. In addition to the portion of the Medicare tax you pay, your employer pays a matching tax on your Medicare wages.

Medicare Wages vs. Gross Wages

Your Medicare wages differ from your gross wages. Before Medicare taxes are applied to your wages, certain things are subtracted from your gross wages, such as your payments to medical insurance and life insurance plans. The amount left over after subtracting those costs is known as your Medicare wages, and your Medicare wages are the amount you will pay Medicare taxes on.

Your gross wages are typically the total amount of income you have earned before anything else is subtracted.

What Is the Medicare Tax Rate?

According to rates set by the Internal Revenue Service, the current Medicare tax rate is 1.45%. This tax is paid by both you and your employer, who contributes a matching 1.45%.

There is no cap on the amount of your Medicare wages that are subject to the Medicare tax. However, if your Medicare wages are above $200,000 in a year, then you will owe an additional 0.9% Medicare tax on the excess wages. This tax is a relatively new addition, going into effect in 2013 to help fund the Affordable Care Act.

For married couples who file jointly, wages above $250,000 will be subject to the additional tax. If you are married but filing separately, the additional tax kicks in only if your individual Medicare wages exceed $125,000.

If you are self-employed, you must pay a 2.9% Medicare tax on your Medicare wages instead of the typical 1.45%. This is because you are essentially paying both parts of the tax: the amount you owe (1.45%) and the matched amount an employer would pay (1.45%).

All income earners must also pay Social Security taxes on top of your Medicare taxes. The current Social Security tax rate is 6.2%, and this amount, just like the Medicare tax, must be matched by your employer.

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Medicare Tax Exemptions

Typically, everyone who works and receives an earned income must pay Medicare taxes. There are no exemptions to this tax for self-employed workers or other special scenarios.

In addition, any contributions you make toward your retirement, such as contributions to a 401(k) account or other deferred compensation arrangement, are taxable. However, employer contributions to a qualified retirement plan are exempt from Social Security and Medicare taxes.

Exemptions to FICA taxes do exist for students. If a student is being paid by the school and is also studying at the school, their earnings will not be taxed, either by Medicare or by Social Security.

Last Modified: September 22, 2023

4 Cited Research Articles

  1. Internal Revenue Service. (2022, December 15). Publication 15 (2023), (Circular E), Employer's Tax Guide. Retrieved from https://www.irs.gov/publications/p15#en_US_2023_publink1000202554
  2. Internal Revenue Service. (2022, March 15). Topic No. 751 Social Security and Medicare Withholding Rates. Retrieved from https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc751
  3. Internal Revenue Service. (2022, January 21). Student Exception to FICA Tax. Retrieved from https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/student-exception-to-fica-tax
  4. U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2021, December 15). NHE Fact Sheet. Retrieved from https://www.cms.gov/Research-Statistics-Data-and-Systems/Statistics-Trends-and-Reports/NationalHealthExpendData/NHE-Fact-Sheet