Social Security History (2024)

This is an archival or historical document and may not reflect current policies or procedures.

The Depression

Thousands of banks failed during the Depression and loss of confidence caused anxious depositors to create "runs" on banks as they tried to withdraw their money before the banks collapsed.

Social Security History (1)

National Archives Photo, NLR-PHOCO-A-7420(1007)

Many smaller banks, such as this one in Haverhill, Iowa, lacked sufficient reserves to stay in business and became no more than convenient billboards. Many of the small banks had lent large portions of their assets for stock market speculation and were virtually put out of business overnight when the market crashed.

Social Security History (2)

Library of Congress photo, LC-USF34- 028362-D

In all, 9,000 banks failed--taking with them $7 billion in depositors' assets. And in the 1930s there was no such thing as deposit insurance--this was a New Deal reform. When a bank failed the depositors were simply left without a penny. The life savings of millions of Americans were wiped out by the bank failures.

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Social Security History (2024)

FAQs

Social Security History? ›

Q1: When did Social Security start? A: The Social Security Act

Social Security Act
The Social Security Act established two types of provisions for old-age security: (1) Federal aid to the States to enable them to provide cash pensions to their needy aged, and (2) a system of Federal old-age benefits for retired workers.
was signed by FDR on 8/14/35. Taxes were collected for the first time in January 1937 and the first one-time, lump-sum payments were made that same month. Regular ongoing monthly benefits started in January 1940.

When and why was Social Security created? ›

The Social Security Act was signed into law by President Roosevelt on August 14, 1935. In addition to several provisions for general welfare, the new Act created a social insurance program designed to pay retired workers age 65 or older a continuing income after retirement.

Which party came up with Social Security? ›

Portrait of Theodore Roosevelt.

As a third-party candidate in 1912 he was the first to propose that America adopt social insurance, and his Progressive Party (aka the "Bull Moose" party) adopted the proposal in its platform.

Which president started taxing Social Security? ›

A3. The taxation of Social Security began in 1984 following passage of a set of Amendments in 1983, which were signed into law by President Reagan in April 1983.

Who was the first person to receive Social Security benefits? ›

January 31, 1940 Ida M. Fuller became the first person to receive an old-age monthly benefit check under the new Social Security law. She paid in $24.75 between 1937 and 1939 on an income of $2,484. Her first check, dated January 31, was for $22.54.

At what age is Social Security no longer taxed? ›

Social Security income can be taxable no matter how old you are. It all depends on whether your total combined income exceeds a certain level set for your filing status. You may have heard that Social Security income is not taxed after age 70; this is false.

What did Social Security originally do? ›

The Social Security Act, enacted on August 14, 1935, provided a new federally administered system of social insurance for the aged financed through payroll taxes paid by employees and their employers.

Can a person who has never worked collect Social Security? ›

But even if you never worked and therefore don't have an earnings record, you're not necessarily out of luck. If you're married (or were married) to someone who's entitled to Social Security, you can collect spousal benefits equal to 50% of your husband or wife's benefits at full retirement age.

How much money has the government borrowed from Social Security? ›

The fact is that Congress, despite borrowing $2.9 trillion from Social Security, hasn't pilfered or misappropriated a red cent from the program. Regardless of whether Social Security was presented as a unified budget under Lyndon B.

Has the US government borrowed money from the Social Security fund? ›

Yes, the federal government borrows Social Security funds, but it is required to pay the money back with interest.

How do I get the $16728 Social Security bonus? ›

Have you heard about the Social Security $16,728 yearly bonus? There's really no “bonus” that retirees can collect. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a specific formula based on your lifetime earnings to determine your benefit amount.

Has Congress ever taken money from the Social Security fund? ›

The idea of Congress stealing from Social Security and not paying interest is a complete myth. There are, however, tangible reasons for Social Security's struggles, many of which can be tied to long-running demographic shifts.

Why is Social Security taxed twice? ›

However, the double-taxation of Social Security benefits can occur at the state level. A grand total of 38 states don't tax Social Security benefits. But if you live in one of the 12 states that do tax Social Security benefits, and earn above the preset income thresholds in those states, double taxation can occur.

Which president took money out of the Social Security fund? ›

Bush 'borrowed' $1.37 trillion of Social Security surplus revenue to pay for his tax cuts for the rich and his war in Iraq and never paid it back”.

What will happen when Social Security runs out? ›

Reduced Benefits

If no changes are made before the fund runs out, the most likely result will be a reduction in the benefits that are paid out. If the only funds available to Social Security in 2033 are the current wage taxes being paid in, the administration would still be able to pay around 75% of promised benefits.

Is Social Security taxed after age 70? ›

Yes, Social Security is taxed federally after the age of 70. If you get a Social Security check, it will always be part of your taxable income, regardless of your age. There is some variation at the state level, though, so make sure to check the laws for the state where you live.

What happens when we run out of Social Security numbers? ›

The spokesperson added that there are still about 358 million numbers left to assign, and those are expected to last for approximately the next 70 years. So we're not in danger of running out of them anytime soon, and your number is yours to keep. Forever.

What happened to Social Security in 1983? ›

On April 20, 1983, President Reagan signed major Social Security reform legislation, which Congress had passed by large bipartisan majorities. The program's actuaries had warned that — unless policymakers acted — Social Security would be unable to continue paying full benefits in July 1983.

When did Social Security first began? ›

A: The Social Security Act was signed by FDR on 8/14/35. Taxes were collected for the first time in January 1937 and the first one-time, lump-sum payments were made that same month. Regular ongoing monthly benefits started in January 1940.

What happens to a dead person's Social Security number? ›

Once the death certificate is processed and issued by Vital Statistics, Vital Statistics notifies the Social Security Administration that the person has passed away. This allows the Social Security Administration to update the SSA Death Master File with the deceased individual's name and social security number.

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