Americans are more dependent on federal aid than ever

Americans are increasingly dependent on Government assistance in 2010 than at any other time in its history, finds the United States today analysis of federal data. This trend shows few signs of easing, while growth in almost 2 years. , Bradley c. Bower, AP

Trays of printed social security checks waiting to be sent from the United States Treasury financial management services in Philadelphia.

By Bradley c. Bower, AP

Trays of printed social security checks waiting to be sent from the United States Treasury financial management services in Philadelphia.

Record 18.3% of total personal income was paid by the Government for social security, Medicare, food stamps, unemployment benefits and other programs in 2010. Wages were low income 51.0%, since the Government began keeping track in 1929. The income data show how fragile and dependent on the Government's recovery from recession, which officially ended in June 2009 The wages slump continues this year. Wages slipped another historic low personal income 50.5% in February. Further efforts by the Government of the social security payroll tax cut reversed revenue in 2011. Reduction of time tax puts more money in the pockets of workers and boost revenue items, even when salaries remain the same from 1980 to 2000 the Government aid was approximately constant at 12.5%. A sharp increase since then, particularly since the beginning of 2008 reflects several changes: improved health and federal programmes in General, population ageing and continuing economic problem overall profits, payments sustained in this year's annual rate of $ 2.3 trillion. A drop in unemployment was offset by growth in pension and health care programmes.

Government's social programmes as part of the record percentage of personal income countries last year. Change the Decade:

Source: United States today; Bureau of economic AnalysisAmericans rose an average of $ 7.427 in benefits each year in 2010, from $ 4.763 inflation in 2000 and $ 3.686 in 1990. The Federal Government pays about 90% of the benefits "what scary Baby Boomers haven't started actually retire," said University of Michigan Economist Donald Grimes 77 million people born from 1946 to 1964, whose old caseload includes 65 this year. "That's when the cost of Medicare will explode. "80% of network security spending in 2010: social security, Medicare (health insurance for the elderly) and Medicaid (health insurance for the poor) and unemployment insurance. For additional information about Reprint permissions, visit our FAQ &. Report corrections and clarifications, contact standards editor Brent Jones. For consideration of publication in the newspaper, send comments to letters@usatoday.com. Include name, phone number, city and State to check. To view our corrections, go to corrections usatoday.com. We have updated the guidelines talk. Changes include a brief overview of the approval process and explains how to use the button "report abuse". For More Information.