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Social
Security celebrates 79 years
By Becky Whitlow
Social Security District Manager in Springfield, IL
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[August 15, 2014]
For the past 79 years, Social
Security has maintained its place as an American cornerstone. Secure
as its foundation is, Social Security has also been at the forefront
of change. As the face of America has evolved over the course of the
last eight decades, so too has Social Security changed along with
the needs of the nation.
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 On August 14, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt said that Social
Security “represents a cornerstone in a structure which is being
built but is by no means complete. It is, in short, a law that will
take care of human needs and at the same time provide the United
States an economic structure of vastly greater soundness.”
The Social Security Act that President Roosevelt signed that day
covered a limited number of workers in commerce and industry and
provided only retirement benefits.
Today, Social Security is much more than a retirement program. It
provides benefits to disabled individuals and their families and
benefits to widows, widowers and the minor children of deceased
workers. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) helps aged and disabled
people who have low income and limited resources. We have work
incentives to help those people with disabilities go to work. Social
Security even provides Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug
costs. In so many ways, Social Security benefits America.
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 Social Security works because it is an
enduring agreement between generations. It is arguably our
government’s most important program, and quite possibly the
strongest expression of community our nation has. For 79 years,
Social Security has made a tremendous and positive difference in the
lives of millions, and this is certainly something to celebrate.
Learn more about Social Security’s rich history at
www.socialsecurity.gov/history . Become a part of Social
Security’s history by choosing to do business with us online at
www.socialsecurity.gov/onlineservices .
[Text received;
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION]
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