FICA — Social Security and Medicare on your paycheck

On top of income tax, FICA takes a fixed slice for Social Security and Medicare. Your employer pays a matching share; if you're self-employed you pay both halves yourself.

Key points to understand

Social Security and Medicare are deducted automatically from wages

Social Security and Medicare are deducted automatically from wages. In practice, this is one of the details newcomers most often ask about, so take a moment to understand how it applies to your situation before moving on.

Self-employed? You owe both the employee and employer halves (self-employment tax)

Self-employed? You owe both the employee and employer halves (self-employment tax). In practice, this is one of the details newcomers most often ask about, so take a moment to understand how it applies to your situation before moving on.

You build credits toward retirement and Medicare — some countries have totalisation agreements so the years count

You build credits toward retirement and Medicare — some countries have totalisation agreements so the years count. In practice, this is one of the details newcomers most often ask about, so take a moment to understand how it applies to your situation before moving on.

Practical tips

• Prepare your documents and translations in advance — most delays come from missing paperwork.
• Always note the office name, address, and a contact number before you go.
• Ask the community on MyHAbroad if you’re unsure — chances are someone has already been through it.