Today, we remember the Social Security Administration’s 90th anniversary. That’s how long the Social Security Administration (SSA) has been around. Since President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law on August 14, 1935, the program has grown considerably. It’s turned into a real safety net for millions of Americans, including widows, divorced folks and disabled kids.

https://www.ssa.gov/agency/commissioner/assets/materials/COSS-Open-Letter-90th-Anniversary.pdf

Social Security Was Born in a Crisis

Back in 1935, the U.S. was in the middle of the Great Depression. Jobs were scarce, banks were failing, and people were seriously struggling. The Social Security Act was signed into law to help older Americans who didn’t have much to fall back on. At that time, the program was meant to provide retirement income for workers once they hit age 65.

In 1935, the average life expectancy in the United States was approximately 61. So yeah, a lot of folks didn’t actually make it to retirement age. Still, the idea was bold—to protect workers from poverty when they couldn’t work anymore.

Social Security All Grown Up

Social Security didn’t stop at just retirees. Over time, the program started helping more and more people. Check out this quick timeline:

1935 Social Security Act signed

1939 Survivor benefits added

1956 Disability Insurance implemented

1965+ Medicare launched

1972 Supplemental Security Income created for elderly, blind, and disabled

1983 Divorced spouses started becoming eligible for benefits

2000s Increased support for disabled kids and adult children with disabilities

Let’s Talk About Who It Helps Today

So who qualifies for Social Security benefits now? Here’s a quick rundown:

Retirees – The classic case: you work, you pay into the system, and you get a monthly check after a certain age.

Widows/Widowers – If your spouse dies, you might qualify to receive their benefits.

Ex-Spouses – If you were married for 10 years or more, divorced, and you haven’t remarried, you could still claim on your ex’s record.

Disabled Workers – If you can’t work due to a disability, SSA may support you.

Disabled Children – If you have a disabled child, or you’re an adult who became disabled before age 22, you may qualify for benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions About Social Security (FAQ'S)

1. Will Social Security go bankrupt?

Short answer: Nope, it’s not going bankrupt—but it's facing some financial squeeze. The Trust Fund is projected to run low around 2033–2035, depending on the source. At that point, incoming payroll taxes would only cover about 77–80% of scheduled benefits unless Congress steps in. That means fewer benefits—not a complete shutdown.

https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/ssb/v70n3/v70n3p111.html

2. When is the best time to apply for my benefits?

There's no one-size-fits-all perfect age to claim—it depends on your circumstances.

• You can start at 62, though your monthly benefit will be reduced—sometimes by up to 30% compared to waiting.

• Your Full Retirement Age (FRA) depends on when you were born—generally around 66 or 67.

• If you wait until age 70, you can get significantly more each month thanks to "delayed retirement credits."

• Some folks claim early because they need the money right away, or due to health concerns.

3. Who qualifies for benefits?

If you’ve worked and paid into the system, here’s what you need:

• 40 Social Security credits (usually earned over about 10 years of work).

• You need to be at least 62 to claim retirement benefits; full retirement age gives you your full amount.

• For disability benefits, the rules vary—but generally, you need at least 20 credits in the past 10 years if you're older, or fewer credits if you're younger.

• Family members (like spouses, ex-spouses, kids)

4. I was a stay-at-home mom and never worked—do I qualify?

Totally—maybe! If your spouse worked long enough to qualify, you may be eligible for spousal benefits when you reach age 62 or your FRA. Essentially, you can receive up to 50% of their benefit without having your own work history and without affecting theirs.

5. What about ex-spouses—can they benefit too?

If you were married for at least 10 years, are currently unmarried, and you're at least 62, you can claim benefits on an ex-spouse’s record—without affecting their payments.

6. Can disabled kids get Social Security benefits?

If a child became disabled before age 22, and a parent is receiving benefits or has passed away, that child may qualify for Disabled Adult Child (DAC) benefits. There’s also SSI (Supplemental Security Income) for low-income families with disabled children.

7. How do I apply—and when?

• You can apply up to 4 months before you want benefits to start—this timing helps avoid delays.

• Just go to ssa.gov to apply online, call them, or visit your local SSA office.

• If everything lines up, you’ll usually get your first check one month after your desired start date.

8. Should I be saving more in case benefits get cut?

Yes, and here’s why:

• If benefits drop to 77% of what's scheduled, you'd need to save an additional $138,000 (based on retirement age 67 and 4% withdrawal rule) to make up the difference.

• So even if you're eligible now, planning and saving extra is a smart move.

If you are reading this, it means you read the entire blog post! Here is a bonus about SSA.

The First Social Security Beneficiary: Meet Ida May

The first monthly check was issued to Ida May Fuller of Ludlow, VT. She paid a total of $24.75 into the system for 3 years, 1937, 1938, and 1939. The first monthly payment she received was for $22.54, and by her second check she had already received more out of Social Security than she had paid into the system. Over her lifetime, she collected just under $23,000 in total Social Security benefits, having only contributed $24.75 - a return of over 92,000%.

https://www.ssa.gov/history/imf.html

This is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered financial, legal, or tax advice. Please consult with a qualified advisor about your specific situation.