Social Security at a Glance

With the freshly announced 3.6% COLA increrase, the first since 2009,this information about Social Security is interesting.

—Beneficiaries: 55 million

—Retired workers: 35 million

—Disabled workers: 8.5 million

—Spouses and children: 5 million

—Widows, widowers and surviving children: 6.3 million

—Total benefits to be paid in 2011: $727 billion

—Average monthly payment in August: $1,082

—Average monthly increase next year: $39

—Number of workers who will pay into Social Security next year: 161 million

—Maximum wages subject to Social Security tax this year: $106,800

—Maximum wages subject to Social Security tax next year: $110,100

—Number of workers who will get a tax increase: 10 million

—Maximum tax increase: $205, paid by both worker and employer

Source: Social Security Administration.