222,488 -- Number receiving Social Security benefits in 1940 , less than 1 % of the population . 56 million -- Number receiving Social Security benefits in 2011 , about 18 % of the population . $ 778 million -- The amount that Social Security will pay out in benefits in 2012 . As the debate over how to save Social Security continues , we look at the program by the numbers : . 40,000 -- People who claimed SSN 1 - 05 - 1120 after finding it on a sample card insert .
222,488 -- Number receiving Social Security benefits in 1940 , less than 1 % of the population . 56 million -- Number receiving Social Security benefits in 2011 , about 18 % of the population . $ 778 million -- The amount that Social Security will pay out in benefits in 2012 . 40,000 -- People who claimed SSN 1 - 05 - 1120 after finding it on a sample card insert .