Why do I have to pay Social Security, if I can never claim it?

Question

I have a visa to work in the USA, but I can only work for the company that has sponsored me. Can I claim back the Social Security Insurance that is deducted from my salary because if I lose my job, I have to leave the country and could never claim it anyway?

Answer 1

Are NRAs automatically exempt from FICA?

No, your visa type determines what taxes must be withheld from your wages. The list below describes the FICA - OASDI and Medicare for each visa type.

    * F-1

      Exempt for the first five (5) years from date of entry; thereafter may be exempt based on student enrollment.

    * J-1 Students

      Exempt for the first five (5) years from date of entry; thereafter may be exempt based on student enrollment.

    * J-1 Scholars, Researchers

      Exempt for either the first two (2) calendar years in the U.S., or two (2) out of the first six (6) calendar years in the U.S. regardless of visa status.

    * H-1B

      Must pay FICA.

Answer 2

No.  There are too many immigrants, degenerates who abuse the system, and illegal immigrants who are collecting it now, that's why everyone is paying into it.  For those of us who will retire, we won't get it either.  SS is the law and we don't have a choice.  

Answer 3

Since you're on an E-3 visa, I'll assume that you are not employed by an Australian employer.  Given that, you must pay Social Security and Medicare taxes.  If you work long enough in the US to qualify for Social Security benefits (about 10 years worth of full-time employment) then you are eligible for SS benefits when you reach retirement age even if you've returned to Oz.  If you don't work long enough in the US, you may receive credit back home for the wages paid you here in the US.  It would essentially be as if your US employer had made the SG contributions in Australia.

Here's a link to the US SSA site that will help explain some of the rules:  http://www.ssa.gov/international/Agreeme...

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Actualy you may be able to claim benefits depending on how long you worked (provided you're legal)

A lot of foreign workers have done it

Answer 5

I'm a natural U.S. citizen, and I've been paying Social Security tax my entire life.

I know there won't be any SS by the time I can collect, so I'm paying into it for nothing too.

Welcome to the Corrupted Theocracy of America.