For the next two years, the social security tax that is withheld from an employee's paycheck is reduced from 6.2% to 4.2%. This concerns me because I keep hearing that social security is not going to be fully funded in the future. I guess the logic is to worry about that problem later. So my purpose today is to give you some recommendations of what to do with your larger paycheck.
I think this is a great opportunity for you to increase your retirement contributions. If you make $100,000, you will have a extra $2,000 for the year. I recommend that you increase your 401K (457 or 403B) or IRA accounts by 2%. This amount is tax deferred and able to grow tax free until you need it in retirement. This will help you increase your retirement savings so that you are not completely dependent on social security.
If you are younger than 50 years old, you can contribute as much as $16,500 to your 401K in 2011, And another $5,500 if you are 50 or older for a total of $22,000.