State Social
Security Administrator for Kentucky's Public Employers and
Employees
The Kentucky
Division of Social SecurityState Social
Security Administrator for Kentucky's Public Employers and
Employees
The Social Security contribution and benefit base is the maximum amount of taxable earnings subject to the Social Security tax. There is no comparable maximum for the Medicare program; i.e., all earnings are subject to the Medicare tax. Prior to 1994, however, this was not the case. The maximum amount of taxable earnings for the Medicare program was the same as that for the Social Security program for 1966-90. Separate Medicare taxable maximums of $125,000, $130,200, and $135,000 were applicable to the years 1991-93, respectively.
The Social Security maximum wage amount is calculated and announced each fall by the Social Security Administration based on increases in the national average wage index. Tax rates, however, are set by statute for all years.
| Calendar Years | Maximum Earnings Subject to Social Security | Social
Security Tax Rate |
Medicare Tax Rate |
Total FICA Tax Rate |
| 1937-49 | $3,000 | 1.00% | -- | 1.00% |
| 1950 | $3,000 | 1.50% | -- | 1.50% |
| 1951-53 | $3,600 | 1.50% | -- | 1.50% |
| 1954 | $3,600 | 2.00% | -- | 2.00% |
| 1955-56 | $4,200 | 2.00% | -- | 2.00% |
| 1957-58 | $4,200 | 2.25% | -- | 2.25% |
| 1959 | $4,800 | 2.50% | -- | 2.50% |
| 1960-61 | $4,800 | 3.00% | -- | 3.00% |
| 1962 | $4,800 | 3.125% | -- | 3.125% |
| 1963-65 | $4,800 | 3.625% | -- | 3.625% |
| 1966 | $6,600 | 3.85% | 0.35% | 4.20% |
| 1967 | $6,600 | 3.90% | 0.50% | 4.40% |
| 1968 | $7,800 | 3.80% | 0.60% | 4.40% |
| 1969-70 | $7,800 | 4.20% | 0.60% | 4.80% |
| 1971 | $7,800 | 4.60% | 0.60% | 5.20% |
| 1972 | $9,000 | 4.60% | 0.60% | 5.20% |
| 1973 | $10,800 | 4.85% | 1.00% | 5.85% |
| 1974 | $13,200 | 4.95% | 0.90% | 5.85% |
| 1975 | $14,100 | 4.95% | 0.90% | 5.85% |
| 1976 | $15,300 | 4.95% | 0.90% | 5.85% |
| 1977 | $16,500 | 4.95% | 0.90% | 5.85% |
| 1978 | $17,700 | 5.05% | 1.00% | 6.05% |
| 1979 | $22,900 | 5.08% | 1.05% | 6.13% |
| 1980 | $ 25,900 | 5.08% | 1.05% | 6.13% |
| 1981 | $ 29,700 | 5.35% | 1.30% | 6.65% |
| 1982 | $ 32,400 | 5.40% | 1.30% | 6.70% |
| 1983 | $ 35,700 | 5.40% | 1.30% | 6.70% |
| 1984 | $ 37,800 | 5.70% | 1.30% | 7.00% |
| 1985 | $ 39,600 | 5.70% | 1.35% | 7.05% |
| 1986 | $ 42,000 | 5.70% | 1.45% | 7.15% |
| 1987 | $ 43,800 | 5.70% | 1.45% | 7.15% |
| 1988 | $ 45,000 | 6.06% | 1.45% | 7.51% |
| 1989 | $ 48,000 | 6.06% | 1.45% | 7.51% |
| 1990 | $ 51,300 | 6.20% | 1.45% | 7.65% |
| 1991 | $ 53,400 | 6.20% | 1.45% | 7.65% |
| 1992 | $ 55,500 | 6.20% | 1.45% | 7.65% |
| 1993 | $ 57,600 | 6.20% | 1.45% | 7.65% |
| 1994 | $ 60,600 | 6.20% | 1.45% | 7.65% |
| 1995 | $ 61,200 | 6.20% | 1.45% | 7.65% |
| 1996 | $ 62,700 | 6.20% | 1.45% | 7.65% |
| 1997 | $ 65,400 | 6.20% | 1.45% | 7.65% |
| 1998 | $ 68,400 | 6.20% | 1.45% | 7.65% |
| 1999 | $ 72,600 | 6.20% | 1.45% | 7.65% |
| 2000 | $76,200 | 6.20% | 1.45% | 7.65% |
| 2001 | $80,400 | 6.20% | 1.45% | 7.65% |
| 2002 | $84,900 | 6.20% | 1.45% | 7.65% |
| 2003 |
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For questions on social security
benefits or social security cards - Send an E-mail to
the: Social Security
Administration |
|
Division of Social Security Phone: 502/564-3952 |