2017 COLA Increase Will Result in a Tax Hike For Over 12 Million American Workers

[2017 COLA update] Its been a few years with relatively minor COLA (cost-of-living-adjustment) increases but even with the marginal 2017 COLA increase of 0.3%, over 12 million Americans will pay higher taxes in 2017 as the maximum taxable earnings (wage base) subject to social security also increased from $106,800 to $110,100. You can see the previous update below for how this will impact you, but hopefully you account for this next year in addition to other Social security changes outlined in the table below. 

Social Security Item
2022202120202019
Increase over previous year5.9%1.3%1.6%2.8%
Maximum taxable earnings (wage base) subject to social security taxes$147,000$142,800137,700$132,900
Maximum social security benefit (per month)$3,345$3,148$3,011$2,861
Estimated average monthly social security benefit (all workers)$1,657$1,565$1,503$1,459
Self-Employed social security tax rate15.30%15.30%15.30%15.30%
Employee social security tax rate (deducted from your paycheck)7.65%7.65%7.65%7.65%
COLA increase for Social Security and SSI (Source: ssa.gov)


[2012 COLA increase] With the announcement of a 3.6% COLA (cost-of-living-adjustment) increase, many social security recipients were cheering. After two years without a COLA increase for their benefits, this much needed boost was a ray of sunshine to over 60 million retirees. However, the picture is not so great for the 160 million workers in America who are subject to Social Security and Medicare payroll taxes.

Because of the COLA increase, the maximum taxable earnings (wage base) subject to social security also increased from $106,800 to $110,100, or a 3% rise This will adversely affect about 10 million higher income workers who currently earn more than the 2011 wage base of $106,800. The actual social security OASDI tax (6.20%) and Medicare tax rate (1.45%), deducted from most worker paychecks, will remain at 7.65% in total. Employers pay the same amount of payroll taxes as their workers. Though, the OASDI tax for employees is currently 2% lower, thanks to payroll tax cuts stimulus legislation. Self-employed individuals pay twice the payroll tax rate, or 15.30%, since they do not have an employer match component.

Higher taxes? Currently a worker earning over $106,800, will pay a maximum of $8,170 (or $6,034 with tax breaks) per year towards social security and Medicare payroll taxes. So, for someone earning $120,000 a year, their 2011 social security/Medicare payroll taxes will be about $8,170. In 2012, this will rise to $8,423 or an increase of $245 (3.1%). Which ironically is pretty close to the $250 SSI payment sent to most retirees as part President Obama’s 2009 stimulus package. As a double whammy, the 2012 rise in social security taxes would actually be equivalent to a 35% increase ($8,423 vs $6,221) if the payroll tax breaks on OASDI income are not extended.

You can see more of the 2012 Social security changes in this article, and I encourage you to subscribe via Email or RSS to get the latest news on next years social security and tax rate changes.

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8 thoughts on “2017 COLA Increase Will Result in a Tax Hike For Over 12 Million American Workers”

  1. I am laughing about maximum SS benefit because in year 2016 is 2639 dollars and year 2017 is 2687 dollars but the raise is only .03% which is 2639 x .03% is round of 2647 dollars but how do they get maximum to 2687 dollars? you mean only new benefits members will get the maximum is 2687 dollars. Only new social security benefits members of year 2017 who get maximum will always get more money than anyone in previous!

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  2. Go Recovery!!!
    Look at us! If it gets any brighter we won’t know what to do. Thank God the inflation rate is so low! Oh oh, gas companies must not know the rate inflation is near zero. And the grocery stores and the electric company and………

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  3. It would be nice to see an increase in my Social Security check each month. Last year, because of Medicare increases my net Soc Sec. check dropped from $813 to $801/month. The previous two years I also lost a chunk of money from my checks. I’m not the only one this happened to. I know several people who lost ground with the checks the receive. Some of them lost they’re apartments & homes because of it.

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  4. deduction in California of the state income tax, property tax and mortgage payment if I do not itemize on Form-A

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  5. I haven’t seen a COLA increase (or any raise or bonus) at my job in 3 years, my company already announced no raises or bonuses in 2012. Frankly I’ll just be happy to still have the job in 2012.

    Wonderful that these retirees are getting more money, too bad it’s my SS and tax payments that fund it.

    Assuming eligibility remains at 67 (which seems doubtful), by the time I’m eligible to collect–35 years–I’ll be lucky if they can pay me pennies on the dollar for what should be due to me.

    I’m also staring down the barrel of a 401K that has lost 2% this year despite the funds being sold as conservative risk–BTW, my employer halted any matching 401K contributions 2 years ago, so don’t have that going for me either!

    My real estate taxes actually increased this year as well despite a falling home values, as did my cost for health insurance, dental insurance, home owners insurance and life insurance. Home heating oil went from $2.80/G for last season to $3.80/G for this season–a 35% increase.

    The only thing that went down this year was my auto insurance, but that’s probably because I’m still driving my old car which is now 12 years old car with 172K miles.

    I’m trying to muster my inner George Bailey, but it’s getting harder and harder……

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  6. The COLA increase is hardly a big deal for retirees as most of the increase in January will be lost to higher Medicare premiums, which are deducted from Social Security payments. So ALL Americans will lose.

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