90 Facts for 90 Years: Celebrating Social Security’s Milestone Anniversary

This August marked a historic milestone: Social Security turned 90 years old. Since 1935, the program has touched the lives of nearly every American, providing a foundation of financial security for retirees, people with disabilities, survivors and more.

To celebrate, we shared 90 facts in honor of 90 years; spotlighting the program’s history, impact, and future. Over the course of the month, we posted 10 facts at a time, each set organized around a different theme. Together, they told the story of how Social Security began, how it’s evolved, and what lies ahead.

Here’s a look back at the topics we covered:

The Basics: How and why Social Security was created, who manages it, and how it’s funded.

Who It Helps: From retirees to children, survivors, and people with disabilities, Social Security supports millions beyond just those who’ve retired.

How Benefits Work: The rules and formulas that determine your monthly payment, from your 35 highest earning years to the effects of claiming early or late.

Taxes and Funding: Where the money comes from, how much workers pay, and when benefits can be taxed.

Inflation and COLAs: How Cost of Living Adjustments protect benefits over time, and the history of some of the biggest increases.

Myths & Misconceptions: Busting common misunderstandings, like “Social Security is going bankrupt” or “you have to claim at 62.”

Claiming Strategies: How the age you file, your marital status, and your work history affect your benefit amount for life.

Social Security Planning Tips: Key steps to maximize your benefits and avoid costly mistakes, from checking your earnings record to coordinating with a spouse.

Looking Ahead: What the future may hold for Social Security, the challenges it faces, and the options to keep it strong for generations to come.

We’ve loved sharing these 90 facts with you, and hearing your thoughts and questions along the way. Whether you’re years from retirement or already receiving benefits, Social Security remains a cornerstone of financial security for millions of Americans.

If you missed any facts this month, you can browse the full series here. And remember: the more you know about how Social Security works, the better prepared you’ll be to make the right decisions for yourself and your family.

Photo by Agence Olloweb on Unsplash