Social Security Has Protected the Nation's Families for 89 Years

Social Security is one of the most successful anti-poverty programs in the history of our country. For 89 years, our benefits have provided financial security to countless families. Today more than 71 million Americans receive about $1.5 trillion in benefits during the year.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act on Aug. 14, 1935. He said, “We can never insure one hundred percent of the population against one hundred percent of the hazards and vicissitudes of life, but we have tried to frame a law which will give some measure of protection to the average citizen and to his family against the loss of a job and against poverty-ridden old age.”

“Vicissitudes” are hardships or difficulties, usually beyond someone’s control.

When challenges and tragedies occur, people can rely on Social Security. That includes my own family. That’s why I serve and why I’m so proud to have worked for Social Security for more than 25 years. No other federal agency has a greater impact on the American people.

Social Security originally paid retirement benefits only

At the beginning, Social Security was strictly a retirement program for some retired workers 65 and older.

My father turned 90 this year. He began receiving Social Security retirement benefits at 62. He’s gotten a monthly check for 28 years – longer than he worked for his last employer. His benefits will continue for the rest of his life.

Benefits for family members added in 1939

A 1939 law added payments for the wife and minor children of retired and deceased workers. Social Security became an economic security program for workers and their families.

My uncle died in a car accident at 40, leaving behind 3 young children. They each received a monthly Social Security survivors check until they graduated from high school.

Throughout my career, I have heard from many people who lost a parent during their childhood: “My family wouldn’t have made it without Social Security.”

Benefits extended to workers with disabilities

A 1956 law added monthly benefits for workers with disabilities (ages 50-65) who are no longer able to work. Other changes over the next few years extended benefits to younger workers and to family members of people getting disability benefits.

My mother was chronically ill with lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. When I was in high school, she had a heart attack and had to stop working. When her Social Security disability benefits began, so did payments to her 3 minor children – me and my 2 sisters. My mother received monthly disability benefits for 20 years before she passed away at 65.

Many of you have similar stories. Social Security is with us through life’s journey, securing today and tomorrow.

Looking ahead

Social Security has become an invaluable part of American life by providing financial security to millions of families over the last nearly 90 years.

However, we are facing challenges. Social Security is serving the highest number of customers we’ve ever had with the lowest level of staffing in decades. While customer service has taken a hit, our agency has been making progress using the resources we have while improving access to benefits and services. We are not done!

Social Security created a new roadmap for many more improvements. We created this Social Security Action Plan for 2024 with input and ideas from our frontline and other employees across the country, and customer feedback. In addition to what’s coming, this Plan highlights many of the accomplishments Social Security has made in the last several months.

We’ll have much to celebrate over the coming months and on our 90^th anniversary next year. You can visit our Stronger Together page to learn how our employees are advancing our agency’s mission every day.