80 Years of Social Security: A Look Back

Today, the United States Social Security program officially turns 80 years old. Signed into law in August 1935, the Social Security Act provides support, benefits and work programs for vulnerable and disabled citizens around the nation. As the Social Security program’s 80th anniversary approaches, SSA employees and local governments around the nation are preparing to celebrate the occasion, with many hosting ceremonies, discussions and featured sporting events. A full list of events can be accessed on the SSA’s website here. To celebrate the anniversary of the program, we use this blog to take a look back on how the program has evolved since its early beginnings, as well as what’s to come for the future of Social Security.

Social Security Through the Years

The Social Security program has come a long way since it was first signed into law by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in August, 1935. From the early days of one-time payments to today’s self-service mySocialSecurity web portal, Social Security has evolved with the times to serve, above all, its beneficiaries. The following is a chronological timeline of the Social Security program, beginning with the very day President Roosevelt signed the original Social Security Act:

• August 14, 1935: President Roosevelt signs the Social Security Act into law, stating “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.” In its original state, the Social Security Act is primarily a retirement program.
• January 1937: taxpayers contribute to the U.S. Social Security program for the very first time. The first benefit payments are also disbursed as one-time, up-front cash payments.
• 1939: survivor and spouse benefits are first introduced to the program, as well as Social Security benefits for children.
• January 31, 1940: the first monthly Social Security benefits are awarded. Vermont native Ida May Fuller, the first monthly benefit recipient, received her monthly benefits from 1940 (at age 65) up until her death in 1975.
• July 1956: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) becomes law, extending benefits to disabled Americans as part of the Social Security program. At this stage, only disabled individuals fifty years of age or older are awarded SSDI benefits.
• July 30, 1965: President Johnson signs Medicare into law, with a budget of around $10 billion. Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (outpatient coverage) Medicare coverage begins taking effect in 1966.
• January 1974: the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program is passed and payments begin to help the elderly, disabled adults and disabled children. The program replaces state-level assistance programs around the nation.
• 1975: Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) are introduced, automating benefit adjustments based on the cost of living in each individual year. Prior to COLAs, adjustments were only made by special Congressional action.
• May 17, 1994: the SSA joins the World Wide Web, primarily offering information and resources concerning the administration’s various programs. By March 1996, visitors can download and submit numerous Social Security forms on the site.
• 2001: the SSA begins accepting retirement claims online, directly through its site.
• 2012-2014: Social Security unveils a new online portal for beneficiaries, mySocialSecurity, offering online access to statements and Social Security documents, including proof of benefits documents. By 2014, more than half of all retirement claims are filed online.

Moving Forward: What’s to Come for Social Security

Acting Commissioner of Social Security, Carolyn W. Colvin, had the following to say about future Social Security campaigns in her public 80th anniversary message:

“The Faces and Facts of Disability campaign offers increased public awareness of the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program through personal stories from those who benefit most from this important program.

Our Vision 2025 provides a framework to shape the future of Social Security service delivery and outlines ways we can maintain clear communication with the public.”

These two initiatives are intended to ensure that the Social Security program continues to provide Americans the benefits they deserve for years to come, as well as improve the program and its recipients in the public eye. 

While the future of the program as a whole is not expected to suddenly shift course any time soon, the same cannot always be said for individual benefits. If you’ve recently been denied benefits or are having trouble with the Social Security application process, don’t hesitate to reach out to a disability advocate in your community.