Social Safety is likely one of the most profitable anti-poverty packages within the historical past of our nation. For 89 years, our advantages have supplied monetary safety to numerous households. In the present day greater than 71 million Individuals obtain about $1.5 trillion in advantages throughout the yr.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Safety Act on Aug. 14, 1935. He mentioned, “We will by no means insure a hundred percent of the inhabitants in opposition to a hundred percent of the hazards and vicissitudes of life, however we’ve tried to border a legislation which can give some measure of safety to the typical citizen and to his household in opposition to the lack of a job and in opposition to poverty-ridden outdated age.”
“Vicissitudes” are hardships or difficulties, normally past somebody’s management.
When challenges and tragedies happen, folks can depend on Social Safety. That features my circle of relatives. That’s why I serve and why I’m so proud to have labored for Social Safety for greater than 25 years. No different federal company has a better influence on the American folks.
Social Safety initially paid retirement advantages solely
Firstly, Social Safety was strictly a retirement program for some retired employees 65 and older.
My father turned 90 this yr. He started receiving Social Safety retirement advantages at 62. He’s gotten a month-to-month test for 28 years – longer than he labored for his final employer. His advantages will proceed for the remainder of his life.
Advantages for members of the family added in 1939
A 1939 legislation added funds for the spouse and minor kids of retired and deceased employees. Social Safety grew to become an financial safety program for employees and their households.
My uncle died in a automotive accident at 40, forsaking 3 younger kids. They every acquired a month-to-month Social Safety survivors test till they graduated from highschool.
All through my profession, I’ve heard from many individuals who misplaced a guardian throughout their childhood: “My household wouldn’t have made it with out Social Safety.”
Advantages prolonged to employees with disabilities
A 1956 legislation added month-to-month advantages for employees with disabilities (ages 50-65) who’re now not in a position to work. Different adjustments over the following few years prolonged advantages to youthful employees and to members of the family of individuals getting incapacity advantages.
My mom was chronically ailing with lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. After I was in highschool, she had a coronary heart assault and needed to cease working. When her Social Safety incapacity advantages started, so did funds to her 3 minor kids – me and my 2 sisters. My mom acquired month-to-month incapacity advantages for 20 years earlier than she handed away at 65.
Lots of you might have comparable tales. Social Safety is with us via life’s journey, securing at present and tomorrow.
Wanting forward
Social Safety has change into a useful a part of American life by offering monetary safety to thousands and thousands of households over the past practically 90 years.
Nevertheless, we face challenges. Social Safety is serving the very best variety of clients we’ve ever had with the bottom stage of staffing in many years. Whereas customer support has taken successful, our company has been making progress utilizing the assets we’ve whereas bettering entry to advantages and companies. We aren’t executed!
Social Safety created a brand new roadmap for a lot of extra enhancements. We created this Social Safety Motion Plan for 2024 with enter and concepts from our frontline and different workers throughout the nation, and buyer suggestions. Along with what’s coming, this Plan highlights most of the accomplishments Social Safety has made within the final a number of months.
We’ll have a lot to have fun over the approaching months and on our 90th anniversary subsequent yr. You may go to our Stronger Collectively web page to find out how our workers are advancing our company’s mission on daily basis.
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