Do I need to pay social security and medicare taxes if I work part time as a graduate student assistant in my school while I'm also a full time student?

[yatoshura]

My W-2 does not have any medicare and social security tax withholding. For the past 2 years I was in a similar situation and also filed a 1040A for federal taxes as a dependent on my parents. I earn less than $5000 a year from my graduate school.

Recently I received a letter from social security stating that I did not pay any social security taxes. This is correct since my school did not withhold them from my paycheck for 3 years and I've only filed two 1040A for federal taxes only so far.

What should I do in this case? My W-2 this year also did not have any social security taxes. Do I need to request my school to withhold it or do I just not need to pay social security taxes?

Please advise. Thank you.

[FrankF1]

Your employer has an alternative retirement plan such as Public Employee Retirement System (PERS), School Employee Retirement System (SERS) or another plan that pays equivalent benefits.

This situation is not uncommon and generally occurs when your job is with a government or educational entity.

Since you are currently in this retirement system, you do not need to have Social Security withholding.