Most people get disappointed when they see the amount of Social Security taxes withheld from their paychecks each month. When it comes to self-employment, those individuals are usually left writing a big check to the IRS when income tax time rolls around. Since Social Security taxes are used to fund retirement benefits and other benefits administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA), can you opt out of these programs? Would this allow you to opt out of both paying the taxes and receiving Social Security benefits? Keep reading as we give you all the details on opting out of Social Security.
Can You Opt Out Of Paying For Social Security?
Unfortunately, enrollment in Social Security is automatic, and you cannot opt out of paying Social Security taxes. When Congress enacted the Social Security Act, it was intended to provide financial assistance to retirees. Many individuals did not have a sufficient personal retirement plan at that time. Remember that Social Security started during the Great Depression as a social program to help these retirees. Participation in the program is mandatory, and you are required to pay into the Social Security system. In fact, your employer will automatically withhold these 6.2% taxes and remit them to the IRS. In addition, your employer must also pay 6.2% of your earnings into the system up to the Social Security tax limit.
Though the payment of these FICA taxes is mandatory, there are a few groups of people who are exempt from making these payments to the Federal government. The eligibility requirements for exemption will be discussed more in the next section of this article. However, you should remember this. Opting out of these payroll taxes also excludes you from receiving any type of Social Security benefits in the future. This includes both retirement benefits and disability benefits. Make sure that you discuss your options with a personal finance expert, or you could end up regretting your decision when you reach retirement age.
Who Is Exempt From Paying Social Security?
There are a few ways to opt out of the Social Security tax, but the most common method is through a religious exemption for members of the clergy. However, the rules for this exemption are extremely strict. Religious exemptions for some things are extensive and allow almost anyone to qualify by simply making up their own religious beliefs. However, the IRS has strict rules about this exemption and requires specific documentation to qualify.
First, you must be a member of a religious group that opposes the collection of Social Security benefits. In fact, the religious sect must oppose the acceptance of any public insurance that pays benefits due to old age, death, retirement, or other circumstances. In addition to having these beliefs, the group must also have existed since at least 1950. You cannot simply create a new religion and expect to qualify for this exemption. The group must also provide food, shelter, and medical care for its members, and it must prove to the IRS that it has provided a decent standard of living to its members since its inception.
Lastly, you must complete the required documentation before leaving these taxes off your tax return. To claim this exemption, you will need to complete both IRS Form 4361 and IRS Form 8274. These forms are the application for the exemption as well as the certification from the church or religious group.
In addition to the religious exemption, there are a couple of other ways you can avoid paying Social Security taxes. Self-employment income of less than $400 per year is exempt from these self-employment taxes. Obviously, an individual cannot survive on this amount of money, so any additional income that they make will likely be subject to Social Security taxes.
Foreign citizens working for a foreign government in the United States are exempt from paying Social Security taxes, as are most foreign students, teachers, and researchers, as long as they are non-immigrant and non-resident aliens. State and local government employees who already pay into a public retirement plan are exempt from Social Security because that would essentially force them into paying into the public retirement system twice.
Finally, taxpayers who earn more than the Social Security tax limit are exempt from paying Social Security taxes on a portion of their income. In 2022, taxpayers must only pay Social Security taxes on their first $147,000 of income. Anything earned above this amount is exempt from the tax.
Applying For Exempt Status
Just because you qualify for an exemption from the IRS does not mean that you will automatically get it. It will usually require active effort on your part to apply for and receive the exemption. Some groups may receive automation exemption. Typically, foreign students and foreign government employees working in the United States will not need to complete an application with the IRS. They should be exempt from paying these taxes due to the nature of their employment and citizenship status. However, if you are looking to qualify under a religious exemption, then you will need to apply for exempt status.
If you are part of an already recognized religious group, like the Amish or Mennonites, then you will need to complete IRS Form 4029. You will need to file this form with the Internal Revenue Service and wait for approval before being able to claim the exemption in the current tax year and beyond. For clergy and other ministers, Form 4361 will be required. One extremely important thing to keep in mind is that Form 4029 is a waiver of all future benefits. Even if you have already paid enough into the system, you waive your right to collect any benefits in the future. This includes retirement benefits, disability benefits, spousal or survivor benefits, and Medicare benefits.
Since this is such a huge decision, you should likely consult a tax professional and personal financial planner for assistance before completing and submitting any of these forms. They can help make sure that you understand all the disclosures associated with these forms and all the ramifications of your decision. If you decide to proceed, then you will need to get approval from the IRS to become exempt.
Advantages & Risks Of Opting Out Of Social Security
Paying fewer taxes sounds like it would always be a great decision. However, there are both advantages and risks associated with opting out of Social Security. You have to weigh both as they apply to your personal situation to decide whether opting out is right for you. So, what are the advantages and risks of opting out? Here are the most common ones.
— Advantages
One of the most obvious advantages of opting out of Social Security is the fact that you would get more money in your paycheck today. You would not be required to pay Social Security taxes. Instead, you could keep this money and invest it for your retirement on your own. This may allow you to save more money and have a higher retirement income than you would receive on Social Security benefits. Even though this can be a benefit, there are also many risks. Those are outlined below.
— Risks
While it might seem like a good idea to forego Social Security and save on your own for retirement, many people simply do not do this. Social Security is intended to be a safety net to help provide some financial assistance during retirement. Although you might be getting more in your paycheck today, many people would end up spending this money and not putting it aside for retirement. They would then be in a dire financial situation when retirement time rolls around.
Another risk is the fact that you could become disabled, and you would not qualify for Social Security disability benefits. If you are unable to work, these disability benefits could help you get by during that time. Similarly, your spouse and children would not qualify for survivor benefits at the time of your death. This could be a huge risk — especially if you do not purchase your own disability and life insurance. Finally, health care coverage in your old age could be a problem. You will not be eligible for Medicare benefits, and it may be nearly impossible to purchase an affordable health insurance policy after you turn 65 and stop working. Although it sounds good in theory to avoid paying the 6.2% Social Security tax today, it is usually not a good idea to opt out of the program.
The Bottom Line
While more than 95% of workers in the United States pay into the Social Security system, it is possible to opt out of those payments. Not just anyone can opt out, however. Exemptions are reserved for only a few situations, and religious exemptions are the most common. Qualifying for an exemption requires completely meeting the rules and applying and registering with the IRS. Remember that opting out can waive your rights to all future benefits in some cases — regardless of whether you might already qualify. Most financial experts agree that you should not opt out of Social Security even if you are eligible to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I opt out of Social Security and Medicare?
Yes, it is possible to opt out of Social Security and Medicare. The most common way to opt out is through a religious exemption. If you are a minister, clergy member, or member of an already-recognized religious sect, then you can opt out of these programs. Similarly, most foreign students and foreign government employees working in the United States are exempt from paying Social Security taxes.
Does opting out of Social Security mean I will not have any retirement benefits?
Most of the time, opting out means that you will not receive any retirement benefits from Social Security. You can still save for retirement on your own through an IRA or 401k plan. You can receive retirement benefits from these personal accounts upon reaching retirement age. Some ministers who decide to opt out yet already qualified for benefits based on previous participation might still be able to receive benefits based on their prior work history.
Is there an alternative to paying into Social Security?
For most workers, there is no alternative to Social Security. Participation is mandatory except in a few rare circumstances. State and local government employees may have an alternative to Social Security. If these employees are covered under a public retirement plan, then they are not forced to pay into Social Security as well. This prevents them from being forced into paying into two public retirement plans.
Can I opt out of Social Security if I don’t have a job?
If you don’t have a job, then you have no reason to opt out of Social Security. You are not required to pay Social Security taxes if you have no income, so opting out would provide you no benefit. Opting out is possible even if you don’t have a job, and this could prevent you from paying Social Security taxes on future jobs that you might have.
What is the maximum amount of money I can earn and still be eligible for Social Security?
If you have already qualified for Social Security retirement benefits and have enough work credits, then there is no income limit. There is no limit to how much you can earn while on Social Security retirement benefits. If you have a higher total income, then you might be required to pay taxes on up to 85% of your Social Security benefits. Whether or not your Social Security benefits are taxable depends on your total income. But, you will still be eligible for Social Security regardless of your income as long as you meet the other eligibility requirements.
