[sr4402]

Come on - when was Social Security (FICA) tax at 4.2%?

It is for this year, but not in 2013 and thereafter. See this article.

http://taxes.about.com/b/2012/02/21/social-security-tax-rate-to-remain-at-4-2-for-all-of-2012.htm

[Thank You Rush]

“”It is for this year, but not in 2013 and thereafter. See this article.””

That was always the rate before the tax cut holiday so it can hardly be called an increase. I would say most people were used to paying the combined rate of 7.65% before that.