While completing my PHD at Eastern Michigan Univ. I also worked as an assistant professor. I gave lectures, tests and met with clients. During those 4 years Eastern Michigan Univ. did not take any Social Security from my paychecks. They claim that because I was a student they were not required to do that. What can I do to correct this - I still want credit for those 4 years of earnings.

Sg

When you contacted the SS office what did they tell you ?

Sorry to say - but universities are not required to pay Social Security/Medicare taxes on wages paid to students who are pursuing a degree at that school. You can refer to Internal Revenue Code Section 3121(b)(10)

If your salary was classified as a fellowship/scholarship, you are not required to pay social security/medicare. You need to report the amount of the scholarship on your tax return. If you did not get any papers form the University (which is very common for scholarships), use your last paystub to fill out the tax forms.