Social Security rules and regulations are important. But sometimes you just want a whole bunch of statistics and charts to geek out with. The Social Security Administration provides just that, with Fast Facts & Figures About Social Security, an annual publication whose 2019 edition has just been released. Use the data as trivia questions at your next workshop, impress your clients with in-depth knowledge about Social Security, or just feel smart. Here’s a sample of some of the fast facts and figures:
- 67.9 million people received benefits from the SSA in 2018
- 5.6 million people were newly awarded SS benefits in 2018
- 55% of adult SS beneficiaries in 2018 were women
- The average age of a disabled worker beneficiary was 54.7
- The maximum monthly SS benefit for a worker retiring at FRA in 2019 was $2,861 (this does not include credits for delaying after FRA)
In addition to trivia, the publication includes helpful data about tax rates, the cost-of-living adjustment, bend points, and more. According to the description, “Fast Facts & Figures answers the most frequently asked questions about the programs administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). It highlights basic program data for the Social Security (retirement, survivors, and disability) and Supplemental Security Income programs. Most of the data come from the Annual Statistical Supplement to the Social Security Bulletin, which provides detailed data on the programs administrered by SSA.”
If you want most of this data in an easily-referenced, client-friendly card, check out our customizable Social Security Quick Reference Guide, which members get for free (PDF).