Paste the deductions section from your paycheck and get a plain-English explanation of every line. What is OASDI? Why is money going to "Fed MED/EE"? Find out instantly — no login, works offline.
Common questions
What does OASDI mean on a paycheck?
OASDI stands for Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance — better known as Social Security. Your employer withholds 6.2% of your gross pay (up to $176,100 for 2025) to fund the Social Security system. When you retire, become disabled, or pass away, you or your family collects from this same pool. Your employer matches your 6.2%, so the total contribution is 12.4%.
What is Fed MED/EE on a pay stub?
Fed MED/EE is the Medicare tax. It's 1.45% of your gross wages with no income cap — you pay it on every dollar you earn. It funds Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) for people 65 and older. Your employer also matches 1.45%, so the total is 2.9%.
What does FWT mean?
FWT stands for Federal Withholding Tax (or Federal Withholding). It's an advance payment of your annual income tax, collected a little at a time each paycheck. The amount is based on your W-4 form — your filing status, any dependents, and any extra withholding you requested. You settle up at tax time: if too much was withheld, you get a refund; if too little, you owe.
Is the 401(k) deduction a good thing?
Yes. A pre-tax 401(k) contribution reduces your taxable income immediately, so you pay less income tax this year. The money grows tax-deferred until retirement. If your employer offers a match, try to contribute enough to get the full match — that's free money on top. The 2025 annual limit is $23,500 (or $31,000 if you're 50 or older).
What is the difference between HSA and FSA?
Both are pre-tax accounts for medical expenses, but they differ in key ways. HSA (Health Savings Account): money rolls over every year with no limit, grows tax-free, and withdrawals for medical expenses are also tax-free — a triple tax advantage. Requires a high-deductible health plan. FSA (Flexible Spending Account): typically use-it-or-lose-it each plan year, works with any health plan, and the full annual election is available on day one.
Why does my paycheck have a line for "imputed income" but no dollar amount taken out?
Imputed income is the taxable value of a non-cash benefit — like employer-paid life insurance coverage over $50,000, or health coverage for a domestic partner. It gets added to your reported wages so the government can tax it correctly, but no extra cash actually leaves your check (the taxes are blended into your regular withholding). It should appear on your W-2 at year end.