WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Social Security Administration (SSA) celebrated its 90th anniversary today with a ceremony at the White House, where President Donald Trump signed a presidential proclamation honoring the program’s enduring importance and pledging to protect it for future generations.
The milestone marks nine decades since President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law on August 14, 1935. What began as a New Deal program to provide financial support to older Americans has grown into one of the nation’s most trusted institutions, delivering benefits to more than 72 million people and paying out over $1.6 trillion annually to retirees, survivors, and individuals with disabilities.
Celebrating a Legacy, Modernizing for the Future
Speaking at the event, SSA Commissioner Frank J. Bisignano praised Social Security’s history as “a promise kept” to Americans in need, while also highlighting the agency’s modernization efforts under his leadership. Since taking office on May 7, 2025, Bisignano has spearheaded a “digital-first” transformation aimed at improving service speed, accessibility, and security.
In his first 100 days, SSA has:
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Provided 24/7 access to my Social Security accounts, enabling over half a million transactions in three weeks and eliminating 29 weekly hours of downtime.
Cut average wait times on the National 800 Number from 30 minutes to single digits.
Reduced field office wait times by 30% while booking record appointment numbers.
Upgraded phone systems to handle 30% of calls instantly via technology, with 90% of all calls resolved through self-service or callbacks.
Reduced the initial disability claims backlog by 26%, from 1.2 million to 940,000 cases.
Shortened disability hearing wait times by 60 days, setting historic lows.
Issued over 3.1 million early payments totaling $17 billion to eligible beneficiaries under the Social Security Fairness Act.
Security and Service Commitments
Bisignano stressed that modernization efforts also focus on safeguarding beneficiary data following past security breaches, strengthening fraud prevention measures, and optimizing SSA’s workforce to maintain high service standards.
“Our strategy is clear: serve customer needs quickly and completely, no matter how they contact us,” Bisignano said. “We are empowering our workforce and embracing innovation to ensure Social Security properly supports the American people and remains strong for the next 90 years.”
A Cornerstone of American Life
Since its inception, Social Security has provided financial protection and stability to millions, evolving to cover retirees, people with disabilities, and families facing loss. Under President Trump’s administration, the SSA says it is committed to maintaining the program’s long-term health through technological upgrades and service improvements.
“As we honor this legacy, we are building a future where service is faster, smarter, and more accessible than ever before,” Bisignano said.
The agency emphasized it will continue working with Congress, advocacy groups, and the public to strengthen Social Security for future generations.