SOCIAL SECURITY MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN COMMUNITIES

By Kirk Larson Social Security Washington Public Affairs Specialist

Social Security is a critical federal program that promotes income stability among millions of households in the United States. Social Security is always evolving to meet the needs of the American public. We’re optimistic about the future and the limitless possibilities for progress.

Much of the progress we’ve made together, as a nation, is through the shared responsibility of paying Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) tax. This federal payroll tax funds Social Security— programs that provide benefits for retirees, the disabled, and children of deceased workers. You help us keep millions of hard working Americans out of poverty.

Without your contribution, wounded warriors wouldn’t receive the benefits they deserve. Children who have lost parents would have no social safety net. Millions of elderly people would be destitute. In the same way that we take great pride in helping people who need it, you should take pride in making this country stronger. You can see the many ways our retirement benefits help your loved ones and neighbors at www.socialsecurity.gov/retire.

Right here in the Washington Social Security is at work providing support.

In King County alone there are over 300,000 people (about 1 out of 6) collecting monthly payments totaling over 5 billion dollars per year.

When you look at Washington State the economic impact in small and large communities is undeniable. There are close to 1.3 million people receiving monthly payments worth more than 20.4 billion dollars per year.

The case is similar in other state. Take Idaho, there are over 326,000 people receiving payments. That is about one out of every five people. That represents over 4.8 billion dollars per year.

Social Security money is an important driver of local commerce.

If you want to learn about your own Social Security benefits, visit www.ssa.gov/myaccount/ to empower your future, for today and tomorrow.

Kirk Larson is a Social Security Administration Public Affairs Specialist located in Seattle and serving Western Washington.