Employers in all states in the U.S. contribute 6.2% of every employee's wages (up to $97,500 annually) to social security. The employee also is required to contribute 6.2% of his/her wages, so a total of 12.4% of one's wages up to the $97,500 cap is contributed to social security each year. In addition, employers contribute an additional 1.45% (with no cap) for Medicare. Just as with social security, the employee is also required to contribute a matching 1.45%. The cap is indexed annually, although the rates themselves have remained unchanged for a number of years.