1
On August 14, 1935, President Roosevelt signs the Social Security Act in the Cabinet Room of the White House. |
2
The first local field office for Social Security opened on October 14, 1936, in Austin, Texas. |
3
Monthly benefits began in January 1940. Ida May Fuller (pictured on the right) of Vermont was the first recipient of monthly benefits.
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4
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Mrs. Mary Thompson, a widow, was the 1 millionth Social Security beneficiary in 1944. |
5
The Candler Building in downtown Baltimore was the operational headquarters of Social Security from 1936-1960.
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6
Public information display used by Social Security during the late 1940s-early 1950s. |
7
President Eisenhower signs the first major piece of Social Security disability legislation in 1954.
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8
In early 1956, Social Security installed its first modern computer--the IBM 705 mainframe. It was used to calculate benefit amounts electronically.
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9
Social Security moves its headquarters from Baltimore city to suburban Woodlawn, Maryland in 1960.
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10
President Johnson signs the Medicare program into law, July 30, 1965. Former President Harry S. Truman is seated on the right.
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11
Social Security cost-of-living adjustments, which started in 1975, offset the effects of inflation on fixed incomes, increasing the buying power for beneficiaries.
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12
President Carter signs legislation in 1977 making changes to the Social Security program.
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13
A Social Security computer specialist uses a UNIVAC test-editing terminal to run a new word processing system in July 1979.
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14
In 1981, President Reagan appointed the Greenspan Commission to study Social Security financing.
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15
President Reagan signs major Social Security legislation in April 1983 to strengthen the financial solvency of the program.
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16
The Social Security Administration launched its nationwide toll-free 800 number service in October 1988.
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17
In 1989, President George H. W. Bush signs legislation mandating the periodic issuance of Social Security Statements to working Americans.
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18
In January 1992, two National Computer Center employees stand in front of an array of StorageTek Marline data silos containing tape cartridges. |
19
A Social Security employee uses a TDD, Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, an electronic device for text communication via a telephone line.
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20
In 1994, President Clinton signs legislation making the Social Security Administration an independent agency reporting directly to the President.
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21
In April 2000, President Clinton signs the Senior Citizens Freedom to Work Act, which allows seniors at full retirement age to continue working and collect Social Security without any reduction in their benefits.
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22
In December 2003, President George W. Bush signs legislation adding prescription drug coverage to the Medicare program.
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23
Today, Social Security offers many service delivery options for the public, in addition to personal service in more than 1,250 field offices.
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24
Some local offices offer video service to people who live in remote locations and a long distance from the nearest Social Security facility.
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25
The Internet has rapidly become one of the most popular options for doing business with Social Security.
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26
Today many Social Security services are available online, including applying for retirement, disability and Medicare benefits.
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27
On October 15, 2007, Kathy Casey-Kirschling, the first Baby Boomer in the nation, applied online for Social Security retirement benefits.
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28
In January 2009, Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, joins with award-winning actress Patty Duke to launch a public service campaign to encourage baby boomers to apply online for retirement benefits. |
29
In March 2010, Commissioner Astrue joins the cast of The Patty Duke Show to announce the launch of a new online application for Medicare benefits. It takes less than 10 minutes! |
30
President Obama is committed to protecting Social Security and working in a bipartisan manner to preserve its original purpose as a reliable source of income for American seniors.
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www.socialsecurity.gov
