History of Social Security Administration in Timeline

The United States Social Security Administration (SSA) is a U.S. federal government agency created in 1935 that manages Social Security, a social insurance program. It provides retirement, disability, and survivor benefits. Originally named the "Social Security Board", it was renamed in 1946. The SSA continues to operate as an independent agency and is currently led by Commissioner Frank Bisignano.

1923: Union Representation

American Federation of Government Employees Local 1923 represents the headquarters non-supervisory employees of the Social Security Administration as of 1923.

August 14, 1935: Social Security Act Signed

On August 14, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act, creating the Social Security Board (SSB) as part of the New Deal.

1935: Social Security Act Establishment

In 1935, the Social Security Administration was established by the Social Security Act, initially named the "Social Security Board".

October 14, 1936: First Social Security Office Opened

On October 14, 1936, the first Social Security office opened in Austin, Texas.

1936: SSA Initially Located in Baltimore

In 1936, the Social Security Administration (SSA) was initially located in Baltimore due to the need for a building capable of holding a large amount of paper records, leading to the selection of the Candler Building. Later, a new building was constructed in Washington but was commandeered by the War Department during World War II.

January 1937: First Social Security Taxes 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 (SSB) merged into a cabinet-level Federal Security Agency, which also included other agencies like the U.S. Public Health Service.

January 1940: First Regular Monthly Benefits Began

In January 1940, the first regular ongoing monthly benefits began to be distributed by the Social Security Board.

January 31, 1940: First Monthly Retirement Benefit Paid

On January 31, 1940, Ida May Fuller of Brattleboro, Vermont, received the first monthly retirement benefit check in the amount of US$22.54.

1942: Establishment of Area Offices

In 1942, the origins of the payment centers date back to when they were known as Area Offices. The first one was established in Philadelphia, with ones in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and New Orleans, Louisiana, soon following.

1946: SSB Renamed Social Security Administration

In 1946, the Social Security Board (SSB) was renamed the Social Security Administration (SSA) under President Harry S. Truman's Reorganization Plan.

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 (SSA) relocated from the Candler Building 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 contributors have no contractual right to receive what they paid into it.

1972: Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) Introduced

In 1972, Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) were introduced into Social Security Administration (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 individuals received benefits from state-run programs. The 1972 Amendments replaced these programs with the SSI program.

1974: SSA Operations for SSI Program Began

In 1974, the Social Security Administration (SSA) began operations for the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program.

1975: Payment Center Move to Richmond

Around 1975, the Social Security Administration's (SSA) payment center operations moved out of San Francisco to Richmond, despite opposition from Congressman Phillip Burton, representing San Francisco.

1980: Department of Health, Education, and Welfare Renamed

In 1980, the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare was renamed the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Social Security Administration (SSA) remained under it.

1984: Federal Employees Hired Before 1984 Exempt from Social Security

Federal employees hired before 1984 are not covered by Social Security.

1986: Medicare Coverage for State and Local Employees

All state and local government employees hired since 1986, or those covered by Section 218 Agreements, participate in Medicare, even if not covered for Social Security benefits.

1988: Opening of the Joseph P. Addabbo Federal Building

In 1988, the new 11-story building in Jamaica, named the Joseph P. Addabbo Federal Building, opened after the congressman's death. This building housed the program service center that was moved from Lefrak City.

1994: SSA Returned to Independent Agency Status

In 1994, Congress amended 42 U.S.C. § 901 and returned the Social Security Administration (SSA) to the status of an independent agency in the executive branch of government.

2007: Name Change to ODAR

In 2007, the Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) was renamed the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR) to reflect that about 75% of the agency's docket consists of disability cases.

2010: Social Security Benefits in 2010

In 2010, more than 54 million Americans received approximately $712 billion in Social Security benefits.

2018: SSA Employment Figures

As of 2018, approximately 60,000 people were employed by the Social Security Administration.

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: Field Offices Served 43 Million Individuals

In 2019, Social Security Administration field offices served 43 million individuals.

April 7, 2022: Field Offices Reopened

On April 7, 2022, Social Security Administration 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, the Social Security Administration (SSA) field offices reopened after being closed for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2022: Fiscal Year 2022 Benefit Payouts

In fiscal year 2022, the Social Security Administration expected to pay out $1.2 trillion in Social Security benefits to 66 million individuals and $61 billion in SSI benefits to 7.5 million low-income individuals.

April 2025: False Listing of Living Immigrants as Deceased

In April 2025, the Social Security Administration, under the Trump administration, falsely listed over 6,000 living immigrants in their database of dead people. This change was implemented by acting commissioner Leland Dudek and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, with support from the Department of Government Efficiency. Greg Pearre was put on leave after objecting to the listings.