Do self-employed people pay into Social Security?

Self-employment offers the freedom and flexibility to chart your own course, but it also comes with responsibilities—including managing your Social Security obligations.

If you own your own business, are a freelancer or a contractor, you might wonder if self-employed people pay into Social Security. Yes, they do.

Let's look at the details you need to know.

Self-employed people are required to pay into Social Security, but their obligations differ from those of traditional employees. If you were a traditional employee, you'd contribute 6.2% of your earnings to Social Security. Your employer would match that amount for a total contribution of 12.4%.

When you're self-employed, you wear both the employer and employee hats, which means you're responsible for paying the entire 12.4% of your net earnings.

While most self-employed individuals are required to pay these taxes, there are a few exceptions and nuances:

• Income threshold. If your net self-employment earnings are less than $400 annually, you're exempt from paying Social Security taxes.
• Maximum taxable earnings. In 2024, the maximum earnings subject to Social Security tax is $168,600.
• Exemptions. Some groups, such as clergy members, may be exempt from Social Security taxes.

Understanding these details can help you ensure you're meeting your tax obligations and building toward your retirement.

As a self-employed person, you handle your Social Security contributions differently than a traditional employee. Instead of having taxes automatically withheld from your paycheck, you'll need to report your earnings and pay self-employment tax directly to the IRS.

The form you use to report earnings and calculate your self-employment tax is Schedule SE of Form 1040. It helps you take your net earnings and apply the 12.4% Social Security tax as well as the 2.9% Medicare tax. You also may have to pay a 0.9% Medicare surcharge tax if you earn more than $200,000 individually or $250,000 as a married couple filing jointly.

To stay on top of your obligations and avoid any surprises come tax season:

• Estimate your taxes. Paying estimated taxes throughout the year can help you avoid a large tax bill and potential penalties at the end of the year.
• Keep accurate records. Good record-keeping will help you track your income and business expenses to accurately calculate your net earnings and potential deductions.
• Get professional guidance. A qualified tax professional can help you navigate self-employment taxes and optimize your tax strategy.

Not paying your self-employment taxes and covering what you owe in Social Security taxes can have consequences, such as:

• Penalties and interest. The IRS may impose penalties for late or missed payments, and interest may accrue on any unpaid taxes.
• Reduced Social Security benefits. Your future Social Security benefits are based on your earnings history and the taxes you've paid. Not paying self-employment tax can reduce your benefits.
• Collections. In severe cases of nonpayment, the IRS may use wage garnishment or asset seizure to recover unpaid taxes.

It's important to take your tax obligations seriously and pay self-employment taxes on time for your current financial plans and future Social Security benefits.

Learn how you can plan your retirement with confidence

Social Security is just one part of retirement planning. Whether you're just starting out, or you're nearing retirement, learn how to maximize your savings potential to boost your retirement goals. 

Retirement savings guide

When you're self-employed, you have the flexibility to deduct various business expenses from your gross income. While it can be a way to lower your tax bill, it also can impact your Social Security taxes and future retirement benefits.

Tax deductions directly reduce your net earnings, which affects the amount subject to Social Security tax. The lower your net earnings due to deductions, the less you'll pay in Social Security taxes.

For example, if your gross income is $100,000 and you have $20,000 in deductible business expenses, your net income is $80,000. That means your Social Security tax is calculated based on the $80,000 figure instead of the full $100,000.

Remember, your future Social Security benefits are based on your 35 highest-earning years. If you frequently take large deductions, your net earnings (and Social Security benefits) may be lower. It can be a balancing act between minimizing your current tax burden and maximizing your future Social Security benefits.

In 2024, you earn one credit for every $1,730 you earn during the year, up to a maximum of four credits per year. To qualify for retirement benefits, you generally need 40 credits, roughly 10 years of work. Your 1099 income, which is your gross earnings before deductions, helps calculate these credits. It's important to understand that your 1099 income affects Social Security benefits.

Self-employed people know that sometimes income isn't as consistent as it usually is for traditional employees. Social Security uses your 35 highest-earning years, adjusted for inflation, to determine your benefits. If you don't have 35 years of earnings, zeros are averaged into your benefits calculation.

So a few years of lower income may not drastically impact your potential Social Security income if you have higher earnings in later years. However, having consistently high earnings can help maximize your future Social Security benefits. For example, if you had a few lean years early in your business, you can replace those in the calculation by working a few additional years at a higher income.

When you're self-employed, it's crucial to understand the difference between W-9 and 1099 forms. These documents are essential when calculating your tax filings and Social Security contributions.

• Form W-9. With this form, you give businesses your tax identification number and other pertinent information so they can report your earnings on Form 1099-NEC.
• Form 1099-NEC. Each year, businesses must issue a 1099-NEC to any independent contractors that were paid non-employee compensation of $600 or more in the year. This provides you with the total amount of your earnings from any businesses you worked for so you can calculate your self-employment taxes and accumulate Social Security credits.

Planning for a comfortable retirement requires a proactive approach. Social Security, while vital, is just one piece of the puzzle. Building a diversified retirement portfolio that complements your Social Security can help you meet your retirement goals.

Social Security provides a guaranteed source of income in retirement that you can rely on, regardless of market fluctuations. It's designed to replace about 40% of your pre-retirement income, although that can vary based on circumstances.

Because Social Security alone may not be enough to support your needs, there are other retirement savings options for the self-employed, including:

• Individual retirement accounts. IRAs are tax-advantaged accounts that allow you to contribute pre- or after-tax dollars to a range of investment options.
• Solo 401(k) plans. A solo 401(k) lets you contribute a portion of your self-employment income toward retirement savings.
• Simplified employee pension (SEP) IRAs. A SEP IRA is another tax-advantaged retirement savings option for self-employed people and small business owners. It offers higher contribution amounts than traditional or Roth IRAs.
• Annuities. Annuities may provide guaranteed income in retirement, helping supplement your Social Security benefits with another predictable source of funds.
• Other income sources. Other options to complement retirement income include rental properties, part-time work or personal investments.

If you're looking for more tools and information to help self-employed business owners navigate taxes, consider reviewing these resources from the IRS:

• Forms and associated taxes for independent contractors.
• Self-employment tax information (including Social Security and Medicare taxes).
• Social Security when you are self-employed.

Understanding how Social Security works for self-employed people—including how you pay in and how deductions might affect your future benefits—is one important step toward planning your retirement income and securing your financial future.

Being self-employed doesn't mean you have to go it alone. Reach out to a Thrivent financial advisor for personalized guidance on your retirement journey.

• IRS forms and tax information for self-employed people. 
• What to know about self-employment taxes (Social Security and Medicare).
• Understanding Social Security when you are self-employed.