Benefits Genius
Free tools & expert guidance

Cut payroll taxes with Section 125 pre-tax benefits

Discover how pre-tax benefits reduce payroll taxes and boost take-home pay. Free calculators, plain-English guides, and expert brokers.

Employer Saves

7.65%

on FICA taxes

Employees Save

20%+

on benefit costs

Setup Time

30

days typical

Calculate Your Exact Savings
See How It Works

See the before & after

Watch how a Section 125 plan transforms a $50,000 salary. Both the employer and employee save — it takes less than a minute to see how.

The numbers behind pre-tax benefits

Section 125 plans aren't new. They've been saving employers and employees money since 1978. Here's the data.

7.65%

FICA tax employers pay on every pre-tax eligible dollar

IRS Topic 751 →

47%

Of U.S. private-sector workers now have access to healthcare FSAs

BLS Compensation Survey →

$184.5K

2026 Social Security wage base. Every dollar under this is FICA-taxable

SSA Wage Base →

1978

Year Congress created Section 125. Nearly 50 years of proven tax savings

26 U.S.C. § 125 →

Most small businesses miss out on these savings

While nearly half of private-sector workers have access to FSAs, adoption among small and mid-size businesses lags behind. Often, owners don't know the option exists or think it's too complicated. It's not.

47 educational guides

Plain-English articles covering Section 125, FSAs, HSAs, compliance, and industry-specific guidance

5 free calculators

FICA savings, ROI, benefits comparison, savings estimator, and more. No account required

Expert broker network

Free, no-obligation consultations with licensed benefits brokers who specialize in Section 125

Example: 50-employee company

$55K avg salary • 75% participation (38 employees) • $4,000 avg pre-tax deduction

Employer FICA savings

38 employees × $4,000 × 7.65%

$11,628/yr
Employee tax savings

38 employees × $4,000 × 19.65% (7.65% FICA + 12% federal)

$29,868/yr
Avg take-home increase per employee

$4,000 × 19.65% effective rate

$786/yr
Total annual savings $41,496/yr

Based on IRS FICA rates (7.65%) and 12% federal income tax bracket. Employees in higher brackets save more. Actual savings depend on salary, participation, and plan design. Run your own numbers →

How it works

From learning to savings in four simple steps.

1

Learn the Basics

Read our plain-English guides on Section 125 and pre-tax benefits.

2

Run Your Numbers

Use our free calculators to estimate your company's FICA savings.

3

Talk to David

Connect with a benefits broker for a free, personalized consultation.

4

Start Saving

Your plan is live in 30 to 45 days. You save from day one.

David Toves

Ready to talk? Meet David.

David Toves is a licensed benefits professional who can walk you through how Section 125 works for your organization. Free consultation, no obligation.

Talk to David

Quick question? Ask Sarah.

Our AI benefits assistant can answer questions about Section 125, FICA savings, and plan details — instantly, 24/7.

Watch & Learn

What is Section 125?

Get a quick overview of how Section 125 pre-tax benefits work and why they matter for your business.

Ready to see what's possible?

Connect with David for a free, no-obligation consultation. See how much your company could save.

Talk to David

Disclaimer: The information on benefitsgenius.co is for educational purposes only and does not constitute insurance, tax, legal, or financial advice. Fixed indemnity insurance is supplemental coverage and does not satisfy ACA requirements for minimum essential coverage. Consult with qualified professionals regarding your specific situation.