The 5.8 percent increase in payments to Social Security beneficiaries announced Tuesday will put an additional $5.3 million into Central Texas.

The increase is the largest since 1982.

The latest figures indicate about 98,000 people in the 31st Congressional District receive Social Security payments.

That includes 60,000 retired workers, 13,300 disabled workers and 8,800 children.

The increased payments will begin starting in January for Social Security recipients and on Dec. 31 for Supplemental Security Income recipients.

The percentage rise in benefits is tied to the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index, which this year was 5.8 percent.