Social Security is the bedrock of economic security for millions of children, as well as working and retired Americans.

•  Social Security provided $675 billion in benefits to 53 million people in 2009, including over 1 million in Washington state.

• 3.2 million children through age 19 are direct Social Security beneficiaries; many others have an immediate family member who receives Social Security benefits.

• One third of beneficiaries collect survivors or disability insurance, keeping millions of families with a disabled or deceased breadwinner out of poverty.

Social Security benefits are progressive, replacing half the earnings for a low wage worker, one third for median wage earners, and one-quarter for high wage workers. Social Security has almost eliminated poverty among the elderly, thanks to lifetime retirement benefits, annual cost of living increases, and family benefits.