History of Social Security Administration in Timeline
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is an independent U.S. federal agency created in 1935 to administer Social Security. Social Security is a social insurance program that provides retirement, disability, and survivor benefits. Originally named the Social Security Board, it adopted its current name in 1946. The SSA was established by the Social Security Act of 1935 and is codified in 42 U.S.C. § 901. Leland Dudek is the acting leader of the SSA.
1923: American Federation of Government Employees Local 1923
Headquarters non-supervisory employees of SSA are represented by American Federation of Government Employees Local 1923.
August 14, 1935: Social Security Act signed into law
On August 14, 1935, the Social Security Act was signed into law as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal, creating the Social Security Board (SSB).
1935: Social Security Act of 1935
In 1935, the Social Security Administration was established by the Social Security Act, codified in 42 U.S.C. § 901. It was initially created as the "Social Security Board."
October 14, 1936: First Social Security office opens
On October 14, 1936, the first Social Security office opened in Austin, Texas.
1936: SSA Located in Baltimore
In 1936, the Social Security Board selected the Candler Building on Baltimore's harbor as a temporary location.
January 1937: Social Security taxes first collected
In January 1937, Social Security taxes were first collected, along with the first one-time, lump-sum payments.
1939: Social Security Board merged into Federal Security Agency
In 1939, the Social Security Board merged into a cabinet-level Federal Security Agency, which included the SSB, the U.S. Public Health Service, the Civilian Conservation Corps, and other agencies.
January 1940: First regular ongoing monthly benefits begin
In January 1940, the first regular ongoing monthly benefits began being disbursed.
January 31, 1940: First monthly retirement benefit
On January 31, 1940, Ida May Fuller of Brattleboro, Vermont, received the first monthly retirement benefit check, amounting to $22.54.
1942: Area Offices established
In 1942, the payment centers were known as Area Offices and the first one was established in Philadelphia, with others soon following in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and New Orleans, Louisiana.
1946: Name changed to Social Security Administration
In 1946, the Social Security Board assumed its present name: Social Security Administration.
1953: SSA Placed Under Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
In 1953, the Federal Security Agency was abolished, and the Social Security Administration (SSA) was placed under the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.
1960: SSA Relocated to Woodlawn Headquarters
In 1960, the Social Security Administration relocated to its newly built headquarters in Woodlawn, Maryland.
1960: Flemming v. Nestor Supreme Court Ruling
In 1960, the Supreme Court ruled in Flemming v. Nestor that Social Security is not a system of 'accrued property rights' and that contributors have no contractual right to receive what they paid into the system.
1972: Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) Introduced
In 1972, Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) were introduced into SSA programs to address the effects of inflation on fixed incomes.
1972: 1972 Amendments to the Social Security Act
Prior to the 1972 Amendments to the Social Security Act, low-income aged, blind, or disabled persons received benefits from state-run programs. The 1972 Amendments replaced these programs with the SSI program.
1974: SSA Assigned Responsibility for SSI Program
In 1974, SSA was assigned responsibility for the SSI program and began operations.
1975: Relocation to Richmond
Around 1975, the payment center operations were moved out of San Francisco and across the East Bay to Richmond.
1980: Department of Health, Education, and Welfare becomes Department of Health and Human Services
In 1980, the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare was renamed the Department of Health and Human Services, with the SSA remaining under its purview.
1984: Social Security program participation for state and local government workers
Since 1984, state and local government workers are not required to participate in the Social Security program if they participate in a public retirement system through their employers.
1986: Medicare participation for state and local government employees
All state and local government employees hired since 1986 participate in Medicare, even if not covered for purposes of Social Security benefits.
1988: Joseph P. Addabbo Federal Building opened
In 1988, the new, 11-story building in Jamaica – named the Joseph P. Addabbo Federal Building opened.
1994: SSA Regains Independent Agency Status
In 1994, Congress amended 42 U.S.C. § 901, restoring the Social Security Administration (SSA) to its status as an independent agency within the executive branch of the government.
2007: Name changed to ODAR
In 2007 the Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) name was changed to ODAR to reflect the fact that about 75% of the agency's docket consists of disability cases.
2010: Social Security benefits paid in 2010
In 2010, more than 54 million Americans received approximately $712 billion in Social Security benefits.
2018: SSA Employment
As of 2018, the Social Security Administration employed approximately 60,000 people.
2019: SSI recipients in 2019
In 2019, 8 million individuals received SSI, including 1.1 million disabled children, 4.6 million disabled adults, and 2.3 million persons 65 or older.
2019: 43 million individuals served
In 2019, Social Security Administration's field offices served 43 million individuals.
2019: Field office visits in 2019
In fiscal year 2019, 43 million individuals visited Social Security Administration field offices to apply for benefits, get Social Security cards, or receive other services.
April 7, 2022: Field offices reopened after COVID-19 pandemic
On April 7, 2022, the Social Security Administration's field offices reopened after being closed for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
April 2022: Field offices reopened after COVID-19 pandemic
In April 2022, Social Security Administration field offices reopened after being closed for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2022: SSA payments in 2022
In fiscal year 2022, the Social Security Administration expected to pay out $1.2 trillion in Social Security benefits to 66 million individuals. Additionally, $61 billion in SSI benefits were expected to be paid to 7.5 million low-income individuals.
