FICA taxes are commonly known as __________.

FICA taxes, or the Federal Insurance Contributions Act taxes, are primarily comprised of two components: Social Security taxes and Medicare taxes. The Social Security portion specifically provides benefits for retirees, disabled individuals, and survivors, making it a key aspect of worker's earnings protection.

The term "FICA taxes" is widely recognized and often associated with Social Security because a significant part of the revenue collected through FICA goes directly towards funding Social Security programs. This includes retirement benefits and other vital support systems. While Medicare taxes are also a component of FICA, the question specifically highlights the common terminology associated with FICA as it relates to Social Security, which is why identifying FICA taxes as Social Security taxes is accurate.

State taxes and federal income taxes are separate from FICA and serve different purposes, reinforcing that Social Security taxes are indeed the commonly accepted recognition for FICA taxes.