82 Years of Social Security Now Threatened by Trump Policies
Alex Lawson, Executive Director, Social Security Works
On August 14, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Social Security into law. In the 82 years since, Social Security has transformed this nation and become among the most successful programs in history.
In the 1930s, over half of older Americans lived in poverty. Those who were not able to fall back on family support were forced to reside in poorhouses, dismal institutions where they were treated like prisoners. Today, Social Security lifts over 21 million Americans out of poverty, and the senior poverty rate has fallen to ten percent.
Social Security provides stability, security, and freedom to Americans during old age because it is a guaranteed benefit that you can never outlive. Regardless of if a person’s retirement lasts for five years or thirty-five, their monthly checks will always be there.