08/19/2025
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO SOCIAL SECURITY
Social Security celebrated its 90th birthday on August 14th. Ninety years ago, President Franklin Roosevelt signed into law The Social Security Act thereby creating a federal economic safety net for Americans. It was not designed to be the sole means of income when one got older and retired from active work engagement. It was meant to be a supplementary source to prevent the poverty and despair evidenced during the Great Depression.
Over the past decades, the program… like the population, grew substantially. Yet, for over eighty-five years and seven months, month after month… without one exception… the monthly checks rolled. Presidents have come and gone. Political ideologies have come and gone. Wars have come and gone. Paychecks and industries have come and gone. However, the reliability of social security checks arriving on or around the first day of each month has remained. The program has expanded to include benefits for survivors, dependents, and individuals with various degrees of disability. It extends to children so that they can get a college education. It extends to legal immigrants, who have contributed their earnings over the years.
Yes, the program is bloated. That happens with many of us as we age. Yes, the program has many flaws. That revelation happens with many of us when we expose ourselves to helping other people. Yes, there is fraud. That comes along with a $1.5 TRILLION budget and human beings being human beings. That $1.5 TRILLION budget represents about 22.4% of the total US government budget (in 2024). For all of its flaws and detractors, the organization itself seems efficient in that only 1% of the budget goes for administrative costs. Compare that with some other non-profit social service organizations that you like, for example… your church or your political candidate who you gave money to!
In conclusion, do not let the fearmongers use you to make their silly choices. Instead, CELEBRATE! Celebrate the fact that EVERY MONTH since January 31, 1940 (when the very first monthly social security check was sent to Ida May Fuller for the grand sum of $22.54) the Social Security Administration has been issuing checks. That is an amazing track record. The system WILL NOT run out of money for you.. All you have to do is be calm and stick around long enough. Celebrate the 90th birthday of the program… and be glad to be in America: Your check/payment is coming.
