The Social Security Administration recently announced changes for 2009, including:

• Beneficiaries will receive a 5.8 percent cost-of-living adjustment, which will be automatically reflected in monthly Social Security benefit checks beginning in January. This adjustment is expected to provide an additional $63 per month to the average retired individual ($103 per month for a retired couple).
• The maximum Social Security monthly benefit for a worker retiring at full retirement age will increase to $2,323, up from $2,185 in 2008.
• The maximum annual earnings subject to Social Security taxes will rise to $106,800, up from $102,000 in 2008.
• Earnings required for a quarter of coverage will increase to $1,090, up from $1,050 in 2008.
• The retirement earnings test exempt amount for a beneficiary under full retirement age will rise to $14,160 per year ($1,180 per month), up from $13,560 per year ($1,130 per month) in 2008. In the year an individual reaches full retirement age, the limit will be $37,680 ($3,140 per month), up from $36,120 ($3,010 per month) in 2008.