Social Security Turns 80

Eighty years ago, on Aug. 14, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law. The new law guaranteed a basic income for retirees and, at the time, the unemployed.

Over the years, Social Security has expanded its safety net beyond retirees to provide benefits for people with disabilities and the chronically ill, and spouses and children of deceased workers. The agency has evolved to serve the needs of a changing America. This year, we celebrate our past successes and look down the path to an even brighter future.

Social Security is there for you during all stages of life. We issue a unique Social Security number to most newborns when an application is taken at the hospital. We track income over your working career and accurately calculate your retirement benefit. We provide disability benefits to injured and chronically ill workers and their families. We provide survivors benefits to widows, widowers and minor children of deceased workers. We also provide Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to those with low income and resources, and Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs for people who qualify.

Social Security evolves to meet the demands of our digital world. “My Social Security account” lets you view your Social Security Statement, verify the accuracy of your earnings record, and get estimates of future monthly benefits — all online. Once you begin receiving Social Security benefits, you can use your online account to manage your record, including changing your address and phone number, checking your benefit information, changing your electronic payment method, and obtaining an instant benefit verification letter or replacement SSA-1099/1042S. If you don’t have one, sign up for a my Social Security account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.

Our safe and secure online services allow you to apply for retirement, spouse’s, Medicare and disability benefits from the comfort of your home. Visit https://www.ssa.gov/applyonline.

Looking to the future, we recently released our Vision 2025, a strategic plan to help us shape the future of Social Security services and maintain clear communication with you. For more information about our vision for the next ten years, visit https://www.ssa.gov/vision2025.

We look to the next 80 years to proudly serve- Social Security customers throughout their lifetime, when and where you need us. See how Social Security has evolved over the years at www.socialsecurity.gov/history.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Social Security 80th Anniversary Webinar

Friday, Aug. 14, 2015, 9 –11 am

Sponsored by

State of Hawai‘i Insurance Assistance Program

(SHIP, formerly known as Sage Plus)

Speakers:

Jane Yamamoto-Burigsay, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Hawai‘i

– Retirement, Spouse’s and Disability benefits

– How to file, Social Security’s online tools

Pamela Cunningham, SHIP Coordinator

–Medicare A, B, C and D

For more information and to register, please visit online at 
www.hawaiiship.org.

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Questions, online applications, or to make an appointment to visit a Social Security office, contact:
1-800-772-1213 (toll free) |1-800-325-0778 (TTY)
www.socialsecurity.gov