Beginning January 1, 1998 the social security wage base for OASDI will be increased. The employee and
employer contribution rates will remain the same.
The OASDI wage base will increase to $68,400, up from the 1997 wage limit of $65,400. The employee contribution
rate remains at 6.2% with a maximum employee contribution of $4240.80. There is no limit on the Medicare
wage base. The employee and employer contribution rates for the Medicare tax remain at 1.45%.
For Federal employees at Kansas State University who were hired before January 1, 1984, the employee contribution
rate for reduced FICA remains at 1.45% and beginning January 1, 1994, there is no maximum. Federal employees
hired after January 1, 1984 will have a contribution maximum for OASDI of $4240.80 and HI (Medicare) will
have no maximum. The employer rates remain the same as the employee rates.
For Kansas Police and Fireman's program participants who are subject to the mandated Medicare
coverage, the contribution rate remains at 1.45% and beginning January 1, 1994 there is no maximum.
The Department of Administration will make all of the necessary changes in the computation of payroll
for SHARP agencies. Regents Institutions are responsible for implementing the
new base rate changes in their respective payroll systems effective with all payroll warrants issued on
or after January 1, 1998.
SAM:JJM:CW
