CT Pay Stub Explained: What's This Charge on My Paycheck?

Confused by your Connecticut pay stub? Here's every common paycheck deduction explained in plain English, from OASDI and Medicare to CT income tax, CT Paid Leave, 401(k), HSA and garnishments. Type a code to find it fast. Checked November 3, 2026.

For general education only. Not tax, legal, insurance, or investment advice, and not a promise of any result. Tax rules and due dates change, so confirm with the IRS (irs.gov), the CT Department of Revenue Services (portal.ct.gov/DRS) or your town before you act, and ask your tax preparer about your own situation.

Type the code from your pay stub (for example OASDI, CT SIT or CTPL)

Every common Connecticut paycheck deduction, explained

Social Security

May show as: OASDI, FICA-SS, SOC SEC, SS TAX

What it is: Your share of Social Security tax: 6.2% of wages, up to $184,500 of wages in 2026. Once you pass that amount at one employer, this line stops for the rest of the year. Your employer pays a matching 6.2%.
Can I change it?: Not optional. If you had two jobs and went over the limit in total, the extra is credited on your tax return.
Official source: IRS: 2026 Social Security wage base · IRS Topic 751

Medicare

May show as: MED, MEDI, FICA-MED, MEDICARE TAX

What it is: 1.45% of all wages, with no cap. Your employer matches it. Once your wages at one employer pass $200,000 in the year, the employer also withholds an extra 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax, which isn't matched.
Can I change it?: Not optional.
Official source: IRS Topic 751 · IRS: Additional Medicare Tax Q&A

Federal income tax withholding

May show as: FIT, FITW, FED W/H, FED TAX, FWT

What it is: An advance payment toward your federal income tax, based on the Form W-4 you gave your employer and your taxable pay. It isn't a flat rate.
Can I change it?: To change it, give your employer a new Form W-4. Too much withheld usually means a refund; too little can mean a balance due and possibly a penalty.
Official source: IRS: About Form W-4

Connecticut income tax withholding

May show as: CT SIT, CT W/H, CT STATE TAX, SWT CT, CT IT

What it is: An advance payment toward your Connecticut income tax, based on the withholding code on your Form CT-W4 (codes A through F, where E means no withholding). If you never gave your employer a CT-W4, the employer must withhold at the highest rate, 6.99%, with no exemption.
Can I change it?: To change it, give your employer a new CT-W4. Check it after marriage, a new job, or a second income.
Official source: CT DRS: Form CT-W4 (2026) · CT DRS: Withholding forms

CT Paid Leave

May show as: CTPL, CT PFML, CT FMLI, CT PAID LEAVE, CT FLI

What it is: 0.5% of wages for 2026, deducted from your pay and sent to the CT Paid Leave Authority. It funds paid family and medical leave benefits. It stops when your wages reach the Social Security limit at that employer.
Can I change it?: Not optional for covered employees. Example from CT Paid Leave: $1,000 a week means $5 a week.
Official source: CT Paid Leave: Contributions

401(k) or 403(b), pre-tax

May show as: 401K, 403B, PRE-TAX RET, DEF COMP, 457

What it is: Money you chose to put into your workplace retirement plan before income tax. It lowers the wages subject to federal income tax withholding, but Social Security and Medicare still apply. The 2026 employee limit is $24,500, plus an $8,000 catch-up at 50 or older ($11,250 at ages 60 to 63, if the plan allows).
Can I change it?: You set the amount with your plan. Any match from your employer usually shows separately and isn't taken from your pay.
Official source: IRS: 2026 401(k) limits

Roth 401(k) or Roth 403(b)

May show as: ROTH, ROTH 401K, RTH, AFTER-TAX ROTH

What it is: Retirement plan contributions taken after tax, so they don't lower your taxable wages now. Qualified withdrawals later can be tax-free. The $24,500 limit for 2026 is shared with pre-tax contributions.
Can I change it?: Your choice of pre-tax or Roth is a personal decision; ask your tax preparer how it affects your tax.
Official source: IRS: Designated Roth accounts · IRS: 2026 401(k) limits

Health Savings Account (HSA)

May show as: HSA, HSA EE, HSA PRE-TAX

What it is: Pre-tax contributions to an HSA that goes with a high-deductible health plan. Through payroll, they generally skip federal income tax and Social Security and Medicare. 2026 limits, counting employer money: $4,400 self-only, $8,750 family (+$1,000 at 55 or older).
Can I change it?: The money is yours and stays with you if you change jobs.
Official source: IRS Publication 969

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

May show as: FSA, HCFSA, MED FSA, DCFSA, DEP CARE

What it is: Pre-tax money set aside for medical costs (health FSA, up to $3,400 for 2026 plan years) or for child and dependent care (dependent care FSA).
Can I change it?: Health FSAs are generally use-it-or-lose-it, unless your plan allows a carryover or grace period.
Official source: IRS Publication 15-B (2026) · IRS Publication 969

Health, dental and vision premiums

May show as: MED PRE-TAX, MEDICAL, DENTAL, VISION, HLTH, SEC 125, 125

What it is: Your share of your employer's health insurance. When it's run through a cafeteria (Section 125) plan, it's taken before federal income tax and Social Security and Medicare, so it lowers your taxable wages.
Can I change it?: You change it at open enrollment or after a qualifying life event, such as marriage or a new baby.
Official source: IRS Publication 15-B (2026)

Garnishments and other court-ordered deductions

May show as: GARN, WAGE GARN, CHILD SUP, CS, LEVY, TAX LEVY, EXEC

What it is: Money your employer is legally required to take for a court order or agency demand, such as child support, a court judgment (wage execution), or a tax levy. Federal and Connecticut law limit how much of your pay can be taken.
Can I change it?: Your employer can't stop it on its own. Contact the court or agency named on the order, or a legal aid office, if you think it's wrong.

Gross pay vs. net pay on a CT paycheck

Gross pay is what you earned before anything comes out. Pre-tax deductions (pre-tax 401(k), HSA, health premiums through a Section 125 plan) come out first and can lower taxable wages. Then taxes (Social Security, Medicare, federal and CT income tax, CT Paid Leave) and after-tax deductions (Roth, garnishments) come out. What's left is net pay, your take-home.

Want to see the numbers for your salary? Try our CT paycheck calculator. Changing your withholding? Use the federal Form W-4 and Connecticut Form CT-W4, or check our tax checklists.

Something looks wrong? Ask your payroll or HR department first. Check your year-to-date (YTD) column too: Social Security and CT Paid Leave stopping late in the year is normal once you reach the wage limit.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my paycheck say OASDI?

OASDI stands for Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance, which is Social Security. For 2026, employees pay 6.2% on wages up to $184,500.

What is CT Paid Leave on my pay stub?

It's a 0.5% deduction for 2026 that funds Connecticut's paid family and medical leave program. Your employer withholds it and sends it to the CT Paid Leave Authority, up to the Social Security wage limit.

How do I change how much Connecticut tax comes out of my paycheck?

Give your employer a new Form CT-W4 with the right withholding code. If you never filed one, your employer must withhold at the highest rate, 6.99%, without exemption.

Is a pre-tax 401(k) deduction taxed for Social Security and Medicare?

Yes. Pre-tax 401(k) contributions lower the wages subject to income tax withholding, but Social Security and Medicare still apply to them.

Why did Social Security stop coming out of my paycheck?

In 2026, Social Security tax applies only to the first $184,500 of wages at each employer. After that, the deduction stops until January.

What does GARN mean on my pay stub?

It's a garnishment: money your employer must withhold for a court order or agency demand, such as child support or a judgment. Contact the court or agency named on the order with questions.

Sources (Checked November 3, 2026)

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