Social Security Turns 90!
2025 marks the 90th year for Social Security! August 14th to be exact. This anniversary is an extraordinary milestone for one of the most significant programs in American history. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed it into law in 1935 during the Great Depression. At the worst of the depression, one-third to one-half of older Americans were dependent on family or friends for financial support. The Social Security Act was designed at that time to provide financial protection for workers and their families in times of retirement, disability, or loss.
Nine decades later, the program continues to serve as the foundation of economic security for 70 million Americans. For many seniors, it is the primary, or only source of income in retirement. Without it, poverty rates among older U.S. citizens would be dramatically higher.
In honor of this financial security celebration, President Trump signed a presidential proclamation reaffirming his commitment to protect Social Security and applauded the customer service improvements that have occurred at the agency during his presidency.
The White House announced that this year, 72 million beneficiaries will receive over $1.6 trillion in payments, making Social Security a lifeline for retired workers, survivors, people with disabilities, and a cornerstone of retirement security across generations.
“For 90 years, Social Security has stood as a promise kept, ensuring that older Americans, people with disabilities, and families facing loss have the support they need,” said recently sworn in Commissioner Frank J. Bisignano. “As we honor this legacy, we are also building a future where service is faster, smarter, and more accessible than ever before. Through President Trump’s vision, we are protecting and preserving Social Security by delivering extraordinary customer service through technological improvements and enhanced process engineering.”
How is Social Security Expanding Over the Decades?
Initially focused on retirement, the program has evolved dramatically:
- 1939: Benefits were extended to spouses, children, and survivors.
- 1956: Disability insurance was added, offering support to those unable to work.
- 1965: Medicare was established, complementing Social Security by providing health coverage to seniors.
- 1975: The first Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), 8%, was applied to benefits.
- 2025: Social Security Fairness Act (SSFA) passes, increasing benefits for some public sector workers.
These expansions solidified Social Security’s role not just as a retirement program but as a foundation of social insurance in the United States. However, by the time the program reaches its centennial, benefits may not look the same as today’s Social Security payments. Social Security’s trust funds, which the program relies on to help pay benefits, are facing big challenges in the future.
Starting in 2033, two years before its 100th anniversary, the program may only be able to pay 77% of scheduled benefits for retirees, their families and survivors, Social Security’s trustees projected in an annual report released in June. With longer life expectancies, shifting demographics, and funding strains, policymakers continue to debate reforms to ensure the program remains solvent for generations to come. Proposals range from adjusting the retirement age to modifying payroll taxes, but one thing remains clear: Americans overwhelmingly value and depend on the program.
As Social Security turns 90 this year, it stands as one of the most successful government programs in history. It has reduced poverty, provided dignity to retirees, supported disabled workers, and offered security to families in times of loss. Ninety years on, the promise of Social Security remains as relevant as ever: to provide peace of mind and economic stability to millions of Americans across all walks of life.
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