Social Security Administration

SSA Publicaton No. 21-059

ICN 440000

Unit of Issue - HD (one hundred)

August 2005 (Recycle prior editions) 

Printed on recycled paper 
For more information about the history of

Social Security, see our Internet site at

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/history

Cover: President Franklin Roosevelt signs the 

Social Security Act into law.
For more information about the history of

Social Security, see our Internet site at

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/history

Cover: President Franklin Roosevelt signs the 

Social Security Act into law.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SECURITY

A FOUNDATION OF ECONOMIC SECURITY

For most of human history, people lived and worked on

farms in extended families and this was the foundation

of their economic security. However, this changed as the

developed world underwent the Industrial Revolution.

The extended family and the family farm as sources of

economic security became less common as more and

more people became wage-earners, working for others.

Along with the shift from an agricultural to an industrial

economy, Americans moved from farms and small rural

communities to larger cities. In 1890, only 28

percent of the U.S. population lived in cities,

by 1930 this percentage had exactly 

doubled, to 56 percent.

In Europe in the late 19th century

the idea developed for Social Security

as one form of economic security in 

a modern industrialized world. The

world’s first Social Security retirement

program was put into effect in Germany

in 1889, designed by Germany’s 

legendary Chancellor, Otto von

Bismarck. 

In the United States, the Great

Depression of the 1930s triggered a 

crisis in the nation’s economic life. 

It was against this backdrop that 

the Social Security Act emerged.

THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT

On June 8, 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in 

a message to the Congress, announced his intention to

provide a program for Social Security. Subsequently, the

President created by Executive Order the Committee on

Bismarck

2 
THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SECURITY

A FOUNDATION OF ECONOMIC SECURITY

For most of human history, people lived and worked on

farms in extended families and this was the foundation

of their economic security. However, this changed as the

developed world underwent the Industrial Revolution.

The extended family and the family farm as sources of

economic security became less common as more and

more people became wage-earners, working for others.

Along with the shift from an agricultural to an industrial

economy, Americans moved from farms and small rural

communities to larger cities. In 1890, only 28

percent of the U.S. population lived in cities,

by 1930 this percentage had exactly 

doubled, to 56 percent.

In Europe in the late 19th century

the idea developed for Social Security

as one form of economic security in 

a modern industrialized world. The

world’s first Social Security retirement

program was put into effect in Germany

in 1889, designed by Germany’s 

legendary Chancellor, Otto von

Bismarck. 

In the United States, the Great

Depression of the 1930s triggered a 

crisis in the nation’s economic life. 

It was against this backdrop that 

the Social Security Act emerged.

THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT

On June 8, 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in 

a message to the Congress, announced his intention to

provide a program for Social Security. Subsequently, the

President created by Executive Order the Committee on

Bismarck

2 
SSB was faced with the task of providing employers,

employees and the public with information on how

earnings were to be reported, what benefits were available and how they were to be provided. In addition,

sites for field installations had to be chosen and personnel to staff these offices had to be selected and trained. 

The monumental first job 

was the need to register

employers and 

workers by 

January 1, 1937,

when workers 

would begin 

acquiring credits 

toward old-age 

insurance 

benefits and 

payroll taxes

would start to be collected. Since SSB did not have the

resources available to accomplish this, they contracted

with the U.S. Post Office to distribute the applications,

beginning in November 1936. The post offices collected 

THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SECURITY

Postmen in 

New York City 

distributing Social

Security number 

applications in 

November 1936

4

First meeting of the Social Security Board, 9/14/35. 

Left to right: Altmeyer, Winant and Miles
SSB was faced with the task of providing employers,

employees and the public with information on how

earnings were to be reported, what benefits were available and how they were to be provided. In addition,

sites for field installations had to be chosen and personnel to staff these offices had to be selected and trained. 

The monumental first job 

was the need to register

employers and 

workers by 

January 1, 1937,

when workers 

would begin 

acquiring credits 

toward old-age 

insurance 

benefits and 

payroll taxes

would start to be collected. Since SSB did not have the

resources available to accomplish this, they contracted

with the U.S. Post Office to distribute the applications,

beginning in November 1936. The post offices collected 

THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SECURITY

Postmen in 

New York City 

distributing Social

Security number 

applications in 

November 1936

4

First meeting of the Social Security Board, 9/14/35. 

Left to right: Altmeyer, Winant and Miles
THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SECURITY

1939 AMENDMENTS

The original Act provided only retirement benefits, 

and only to the worker. The 1939 Amendments made 

a fundamental change in the Social Security program.

The Amendments added two new categories of 

benefits: payments to the spouse and minor children 

of a retired worker (called dependents benefits) 

and survivors benefits paid to the family in the event 

of the premature death of the worker. The 1939

Amendments also increased benefit amounts and 

accelerated the start of monthly benefit payments 

from 1942 to 1940.

MONTHLY BENEFITS

Payment of monthly 

benefits began in 

January 1940. On

January 31, 1940, the 

first monthly retirement

check was issued to a

retired legal secretary,

Ida May Fuller, of

Ludlow, Vt., in the

amount of $22.54. 

Miss Fuller died in

January 1975 at the 

age of 100. During her 35 years as a beneficiary, she

received over $22,000 in benefits.

1950 AMENDMENTS

From 1940 until 1950, virtually no changes were made in

the Social Security program. Because the program was

still in its infancy, Social Security’s retirement benefits

were very low. In fact, until 1951, the average welfare

6 

Ida May Fuller
THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SECURITY

1939 AMENDMENTS

The original Act provided only retirement benefits, 

and only to the worker. The 1939 Amendments made 

a fundamental change in the Social Security program.

The Amendments added two new categories of 

benefits: payments to the spouse and minor children 

of a retired worker (called dependents benefits) 

and survivors benefits paid to the family in the event 

of the premature death of the worker. The 1939

Amendments also increased benefit amounts and 

accelerated the start of monthly benefit payments 

from 1942 to 1940.

MONTHLY BENEFITS

Payment of monthly 

benefits began in 

January 1940. On

January 31, 1940, the 

first monthly retirement

check was issued to a

retired legal secretary,

Ida May Fuller, of

Ludlow, Vt., in the

amount of $22.54. 

Miss Fuller died in

January 1975 at the 

age of 100. During her 35 years as a beneficiary, she

received over $22,000 in benefits.

1950 AMENDMENTS

From 1940 until 1950, virtually no changes were made in

the Social Security program. Because the program was

still in its infancy, Social Security’s retirement benefits

were very low. In fact, until 1951, the average welfare

6 

Ida May Fuller
THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SECURITY

9/51 77.0 12/85 3.1

9/52 12.5 12/86 1.3

9/54 13.0 12/87 4.2

1/59 7.0 12/88 4.0

1/65 7.0 12/89 4.7

2/68 13.0 12/90 5.4

1/70 15.0 12/91 3.7

1/71 10.0 12/92 3.0

9/72 20.0 12/93 2.6

3/74 7.0 12/94 2.8

6/74 11.0 12/95 2.6

6/75 8.0 12/96 2.9

6/76 6.4 12/97 2.1

6/77 5.9 12/98 1.3

6/78 6.5 12/99 2.5

6/79 9.9 12/00 3.5

6/80 14.3 12/01 2.6

6/81 11.2 12/02 1.4

6/82 7.4 12/03 2.1

12/83 3.5 12/04 2.7

12/84 3.5

Effective

Date

Percent

Increase

Effective

Date

Percent

Increase

Social Security COLAs 1950-2005

Notes: The increase in 3/74 was a special, limited-duration increase;

it was effective for only 3/74-5/74. In June 1974 all payment levels

reverted to their 2/74 level and the 11 percent increase was permanently applied on this base. The COLA for December 1999 was

originally determined as 2.4 percent, however, it was subsequently

raised to 2.5 percent. Initially, the automatic COLAs were effective

in June each year (and received in the July payment) but a 1983

change in the law shifted the effective date to December (for payments received in January).

8 
THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SECURITY

9/51 77.0 12/85 3.1

9/52 12.5 12/86 1.3

9/54 13.0 12/87 4.2

1/59 7.0 12/88 4.0

1/65 7.0 12/89 4.7

2/68 13.0 12/90 5.4

1/70 15.0 12/91 3.7

1/71 10.0 12/92 3.0

9/72 20.0 12/93 2.6

3/74 7.0 12/94 2.8

6/74 11.0 12/95 2.6

6/75 8.0 12/96 2.9

6/76 6.4 12/97 2.1

6/77 5.9 12/98 1.3

6/78 6.5 12/99 2.5

6/79 9.9 12/00 3.5

6/80 14.3 12/01 2.6

6/81 11.2 12/02 1.4

6/82 7.4 12/03 2.1

12/83 3.5 12/04 2.7

12/84 3.5

Effective

Date

Percent

Increase

Effective

Date

Percent

Increase

Social Security COLAs 1950-2005

Notes: The increase in 3/74 was a special, limited-duration increase;

it was effective for only 3/74-5/74. In June 1974 all payment levels

reverted to their 2/74 level and the 11 percent increase was permanently applied on this base. The COLA for December 1999 was

originally determined as 2.4 percent, however, it was subsequently

raised to 2.5 percent. Initially, the automatic COLAs were effective

in June each year (and received in the July payment) but a 1983

change in the law shifted the effective date to December (for payments received in January).

8 
THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SECURITY

MEDICARE & OTHER CHANGES 

The decade of the 1960s brought additional changes to

the Social Security program. Among the most significant

was a provision in the Amendments of 1961 lowering

the age at which men are first eligible for retirement

benefits to 62 (women previously were given this 

option in 1956). 

The most significant change involved the passage 

of Medicare. Under Medicare, health coverage was 

extended to Social Security beneficiaries aged 65 or

older (and eventually to those receiving disability 

benefits as well). Nearly 20 million beneficiaries enrolled

in Medicare in the first three years of the program.

Social Security would continue to have responsibility 

for the Medicare program until a 1977 reorganization

created the Health Care Financing Administration

(HCFA). HCFA assumed administrative responsibility

for Medicare at that time. (In 2001, HCFA was renamed

the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.)

President Johnson signs the Medicare Bill, in the presence 

of former President Harry Truman (seated, right).

10 
THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SECURITY

MEDICARE & OTHER CHANGES 

The decade of the 1960s brought additional changes to

the Social Security program. Among the most significant

was a provision in the Amendments of 1961 lowering

the age at which men are first eligible for retirement

benefits to 62 (women previously were given this 

option in 1956). 

The most significant change involved the passage 

of Medicare. Under Medicare, health coverage was 

extended to Social Security beneficiaries aged 65 or

older (and eventually to those receiving disability 

benefits as well). Nearly 20 million beneficiaries enrolled

in Medicare in the first three years of the program.

Social Security would continue to have responsibility 

for the Medicare program until a 1977 reorganization

created the Health Care Financing Administration

(HCFA). HCFA assumed administrative responsibility

for Medicare at that time. (In 2001, HCFA was renamed

the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.)

President Johnson signs the Medicare Bill, in the presence 

of former President Harry Truman (seated, right).

10 
THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SECURITY

In the original 1935 Social Security Act, programs

were introduced for needy aged and blind individuals

and, in 1950, needy disabled individuals were added.

These three programs were known as the “adult 

categories” of welfare and were administered by state

and local governments with partial federal funding.

Over the years, the state programs became more 

complex and inconsistent, with as many as 1,350 administrative agencies involved and payments varying more

than 300 percent from state to state. In 1969, President

Nixon identified a need to reform these and related

welfare programs to “bring reason, order, and purpose

into a tangle of overlapping programs.” In 1971,

Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare Elliot

Richardson proposed that Social Security assume

responsibility for the adult categories. In the Social

Security Amendments of 1972, Congress federalized

the adult categories by creating the SSI program and

assigned responsibility for it to Social Security.

SSI is a needs-based program for elderly, blind 

and disabled individuals.

THE DECADE OF THE 1980s

12 

President Reagan signs the 1983 amendments.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SECURITY

In the original 1935 Social Security Act, programs

were introduced for needy aged and blind individuals

and, in 1950, needy disabled individuals were added.

These three programs were known as the “adult 

categories” of welfare and were administered by state

and local governments with partial federal funding.

Over the years, the state programs became more 

complex and inconsistent, with as many as 1,350 administrative agencies involved and payments varying more

than 300 percent from state to state. In 1969, President

Nixon identified a need to reform these and related

welfare programs to “bring reason, order, and purpose

into a tangle of overlapping programs.” In 1971,

Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare Elliot

Richardson proposed that Social Security assume

responsibility for the adult categories. In the Social

Security Amendments of 1972, Congress federalized

the adult categories by creating the SSI program and

assigned responsibility for it to Social Security.

SSI is a needs-based program for elderly, blind 

and disabled individuals.

THE DECADE OF THE 1980s

12 

President Reagan signs the 1983 amendments.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SECURITY

In 1989, as part of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, President George Bush signed into law the

requirement that Social Security send annual Social

Security Statements to almost all persons working under

Social Security. These Statements are an important

financial planning tool available from Social Security.

THE DECADE OF THE 1990s

14 

President Clinton signs the “Ticket to Work” bill, December 1999.

President Bush signs the 1989 law authorizing annual 

Social Security Statements.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SECURITY

In 1989, as part of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, President George Bush signed into law the

requirement that Social Security send annual Social

Security Statements to almost all persons working under

Social Security. These Statements are an important

financial planning tool available from Social Security.

THE DECADE OF THE 1990s

14 

President Clinton signs the “Ticket to Work” bill, December 1999.

President Bush signs the 1989 law authorizing annual 

Social Security Statements.


THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SECURITY 

18 

Administratively, the “Ticket to Work” regulations

were finalized in late 2001, and the program launched

in the first set of states in early 2002. In recent years,

improvements have been made to enhance the integrity

of Social Security numbers, to guard against “identify

theft,” to ease the wage reporting burdens on small

businesses and to streamline the processing of 

disability claims. 

In late 2003, President Bush signed into law the

Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and

Modernization Act. The Social Security Administration

has significant administrative responsibilities in the

implementation of this law. In 2004, the President

signed into law the Social Security Protection Act

(improving the management of the representative

payee process) and the Identity Theft Penalty

Enhancement Act. 

Social Security has grown to become a major facet 

of modern life. One in six Americans receives a Social

Security benefit, and about 98 percent of all workers

are in jobs covered by Social Security. From 1940, 

when slightly more than 222,000 people received

monthly Social Security benefits, until today, when

more than 47 million people receive such benefits,

Social Security has grown steadily. The SSI program,

meanwhile, provides income support to more than

seven million people.

THE GROWTH OF SOCIAL SECURITY
THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SECURITY 

18 

Administratively, the “Ticket to Work” regulations

were finalized in late 2001, and the program launched

in the first set of states in early 2002. In recent years,

improvements have been made to enhance the integrity

of Social Security numbers, to guard against “identify

theft,” to ease the wage reporting burdens on small

businesses and to streamline the processing of 

disability claims. 

In late 2003, President Bush signed into law the

Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and

Modernization Act. The Social Security Administration

has significant administrative responsibilities in the

implementation of this law. In 2004, the President

signed into law the Social Security Protection Act

(improving the management of the representative

payee process) and the Identity Theft Penalty

Enhancement Act. 

Social Security has grown to become a major facet 

of modern life. One in six Americans receives a Social

Security benefit, and about 98 percent of all workers

are in jobs covered by Social Security. From 1940, 

when slightly more than 222,000 people received

monthly Social Security benefits, until today, when

more than 47 million people receive such benefits,

Social Security has grown steadily. The SSI program,

meanwhile, provides income support to more than

seven million people.

THE GROWTH OF SOCIAL SECURITY
KEY DATES IN THE HISTORY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

06/08/34: Federal legislation to promote economic security was 

recommended in President Roosevelt’s Message to Congress.

06/29/34: President Roosevelt created the Committee on Economic

Security to study the problems related to economic security

and to make recommendations for a program of legislation.

01/17/35: The Committee on Economic Security’s recommendations

were introduced in the 74th Congress.

04/19/35: The Social Security Act was passed in the House of

Representatives, 372 to 33.

06/19/35: The Social Security Act was passed in the Senate by a 

vote of 77 to 6.

08/14/35: The Social Security Act became law with President

Roosevelt’s signature.

08/23/35: The Senate confirmed the President’s nomination of the 

original members of the Social Security Board: John G.

Winant, Chairman; Arthur J. Altmeyer; and Vincent M. Mile

10/36: The first Social Security field office was opened 

in Austin, Texas.

11/09/36: The Baltimore office for record-keeping operations opened 

in the Candler Building.

11/24/36: Applications for Social Security account numbers were first 

distributed by the Post Office.

20 

Here is a summary of some of key dates in the development of the

Social Security program:
KEY DATES IN THE HISTORY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

06/08/34: Federal legislation to promote economic security was 

recommended in President Roosevelt’s Message to Congress.

06/29/34: President Roosevelt created the Committee on Economic

Security to study the problems related to economic security

and to make recommendations for a program of legislation.

01/17/35: The Committee on Economic Security’s recommendations

were introduced in the 74th Congress.

04/19/35: The Social Security Act was passed in the House of

Representatives, 372 to 33.

06/19/35: The Social Security Act was passed in the Senate by a 

vote of 77 to 6.

08/14/35: The Social Security Act became law with President

Roosevelt’s signature.

08/23/35: The Senate confirmed the President’s nomination of the 

original members of the Social Security Board: John G.

Winant, Chairman; Arthur J. Altmeyer; and Vincent M. Mile

10/36: The first Social Security field office was opened 

in Austin, Texas.

11/09/36: The Baltimore office for record-keeping operations opened 

in the Candler Building.

11/24/36: Applications for Social Security account numbers were first 

distributed by the Post Office.

20 

Here is a summary of some of key dates in the development of the

Social Security program:
KEY DATES IN THE HISTORY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

08/01/56: The Social Security Act was amended to provide monthly

benefits to permanently and totally disabled workers aged 

50-64 and for adult children of deceased or retired workers, 

if disabled before age 18.

06/30/61: The Social Security Amendments of 1961 were signed by

President John Kennedy, permitting all workers to elect

reduced retirement at age 62.

07/30/65: President Johnson signed the Medicare bill at the Truman

Presidential Library in Independence, Mo.

10/12/66: President Johnson visited Social Security headquarters to 

participate in the 15th Annual Honor Awards Ceremony —

the only visit by a President.

07/01/72: President Nixon signed into law P.L. 92-336 which authorized

a 20 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), effective 9/92

and established the procedures for issuing automatic annual

COLAs beginning in 1975.

10/30/72: Social Security Amendments of 1972 signed into law by

President Nixon — creating the Supplemental Security

Income (SSI) program.

01/01/74: SSI program went into operation as a result of the Social

Security Amendments of 1972.

03/09/77: HEW reorganization plan was published in Federal Register, 

creating the Health Care Financing Administration to manag

the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

05/4/80: HEW was abolished and replaced by the Department of

Health and Human Services (HHS). Social Security became 

a part of HHS at this time.

22 
KEY DATES IN THE HISTORY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

08/01/56: The Social Security Act was amended to provide monthly

benefits to permanently and totally disabled workers aged 

50-64 and for adult children of deceased or retired workers, 

if disabled before age 18.

06/30/61: The Social Security Amendments of 1961 were signed by

President John Kennedy, permitting all workers to elect

reduced retirement at age 62.

07/30/65: President Johnson signed the Medicare bill at the Truman

Presidential Library in Independence, Mo.

10/12/66: President Johnson visited Social Security headquarters to 

participate in the 15th Annual Honor Awards Ceremony —

the only visit by a President.

07/01/72: President Nixon signed into law P.L. 92-336 which authorized

a 20 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), effective 9/92

and established the procedures for issuing automatic annual

COLAs beginning in 1975.

10/30/72: Social Security Amendments of 1972 signed into law by

President Nixon — creating the Supplemental Security

Income (SSI) program.

01/01/74: SSI program went into operation as a result of the Social

Security Amendments of 1972.

03/09/77: HEW reorganization plan was published in Federal Register, 

creating the Health Care Financing Administration to manag

the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

05/4/80: HEW was abolished and replaced by the Department of

Health and Human Services (HHS). Social Security became 

a part of HHS at this time.

22 


KEY DATES IN THE HISTORY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

09/25/03: At a hearing before the House Ways and Means

Subcommittee on Social Security, Commissioner Barnhart pre

sented an approach to improving the disability determination

process that would shorten decision times, pay benefits faster

to people who are obviously disabled, and test new incentives

for those with disabilities who wish to remain in, or return to,

the workforce.

12/08/03: President Bush signed into law the Medicare Prescription

Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003.

03/02/04: President Bush signed into law H.R. 743, the Social Security

Protection Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-203). This law 

contains more than 50 main provisions, many affecting the

conduct of representative payees under the law, as well as 

a wide variety of other administrative and technical matters.

07/15/04: President Bush signed into law H.R. 1731, the Identity Theft

Penalty Enhancement Act, which imposes criminal penalties

for theft of another person’s identity, including for purposes 

of obtaining Social Security-related benefits.

01/26/05: Mississippi became the first state to fully implement Social

Security’s new fully electronic disability application process

under its eDib initiative. 

26 
KEY DATES IN THE HISTORY OF SOCIAL SECURITY

09/25/03: At a hearing before the House Ways and Means

Subcommittee on Social Security, Commissioner Barnhart pre

sented an approach to improving the disability determination

process that would shorten decision times, pay benefits faster

to people who are obviously disabled, and test new incentives

for those with disabilities who wish to remain in, or return to,

the workforce.

12/08/03: President Bush signed into law the Medicare Prescription

Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003.

03/02/04: President Bush signed into law H.R. 743, the Social Security

Protection Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-203). This law 

contains more than 50 main provisions, many affecting the

conduct of representative payees under the law, as well as 

a wide variety of other administrative and technical matters.

07/15/04: President Bush signed into law H.R. 1731, the Identity Theft

Penalty Enhancement Act, which imposes criminal penalties

for theft of another person’s identity, including for purposes 

of obtaining Social Security-related benefits.

01/26/05: Mississippi became the first state to fully implement Social

Security’s new fully electronic disability application process

under its eDib initiative. 

26 
AGENCY ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY

28 

HEW Replaced by HHS

On 5/4/80, the Department of Health and Human Services replaced

HEW. Social Security was a major part of HHS until it returned to its

original status as an independent agency.

Social Security Becomes an Independent Agency

Throughout the years, arguments had been made that Social Security

should be returned to independent agency status. This debate was given

impetus in 1981 when the National Commission on Social Security 

recommended that the agency once again become an independent 

Social Security Board. The 1983 National Commission on Social Securit

Reform (a.k.a., the Greenspan Commission) again raised this issue 

and recommended a special study be commissioned of the matter. This

special study was completed in 1984, and it outlined several options for

making Social Security an independent agency. This led to numerous 

legislative proposals in the ensuing years and in 1994 the legislation

passed both houses of Congress unanimously making Social Security,

once again, an independent agency. President Clinton signed the bill on

August 15, 1994 (59 years and one day after FDR signed the original

Act). The change took effect on March 31, 1995. 
AGENCY ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY

28 

HEW Replaced by HHS

On 5/4/80, the Department of Health and Human Services replaced

HEW. Social Security was a major part of HHS until it returned to its

original status as an independent agency.

Social Security Becomes an Independent Agency

Throughout the years, arguments had been made that Social Security

should be returned to independent agency status. This debate was given

impetus in 1981 when the National Commission on Social Security 

recommended that the agency once again become an independent 

Social Security Board. The 1983 National Commission on Social Securit

Reform (a.k.a., the Greenspan Commission) again raised this issue 

and recommended a special study be commissioned of the matter. This

special study was completed in 1984, and it outlined several options for

making Social Security an independent agency. This led to numerous 

legislative proposals in the ensuing years and in 1994 the legislation

passed both houses of Congress unanimously making Social Security,

once again, an independent agency. President Clinton signed the bill on

August 15, 1994 (59 years and one day after FDR signed the original

Act). The change took effect on March 31, 1995. 
SOCIAL SECURITY COMMISSIONERS

30 

Since 1946, a

Commissioner 

has headed the 

Social Security

Administration. 

As of 2005, 

23 men and 

women have 

served as the 

permanent 

or acting

Commissioner 

of Social Security. 

(*Denotes 

acting status.)

Arthur J. Altmeyer

7/46-4/53

William L. Mitchell*

4/53-11/53

John W. Tramburg

11/53-8/54 

Charles I. Schottland

8/54-2/59

William L. Mitchell

2/59-4/62

Robert M. Ball 

4/62-3/73

Arthur E. Hess* 

3/73-10/73
SOCIAL SECURITY COMMISSIONERS

30 

Since 1946, a

Commissioner 

has headed the 

Social Security

Administration. 

As of 2005, 

23 men and 

women have 

served as the 

permanent 

or acting

Commissioner 

of Social Security. 

(*Denotes 

acting status.)

Arthur J. Altmeyer

7/46-4/53

William L. Mitchell*

4/53-11/53

John W. Tramburg

11/53-8/54 

Charles I. Schottland

8/54-2/59

William L. Mitchell

2/59-4/62

Robert M. Ball 

4/62-3/73

Arthur E. Hess* 

3/73-10/73
SOCIAL SECURITY COMMISSIONERS

Gwendolyn S. King

8/89-10/92

Louis D. Enoff * 

10/92-7/93

Lawrence H. Thompson*

7/93-10/93

Shirley S. Chater

10/93-3/97

John J. Callahan* 

3/97-9/97

Kenneth S. Apfel 

9/97-1/01

William A. Halter*

1/01-3/01

Larry G. Massanari*

3/01-11/01

32 

Jo Anne B. Barnhart

11/01-present
SOCIAL SECURITY COMMISSIONERS

Gwendolyn S. King

8/89-10/92

Louis D. Enoff * 

10/92-7/93

Lawrence H. Thompson*

7/93-10/93

Shirley S. Chater

10/93-3/97

John J. Callahan* 

3/97-9/97

Kenneth S. Apfel 

9/97-1/01

William A. Halter*

1/01-3/01

Larry G. Massanari*

3/01-11/01

32 

Jo Anne B. Barnhart

11/01-present
Social Security Administration

SSA Publicaton No. 21-059

ICN 440000

Unit of Issue - HD (one hundred)

August 2005 (Recycle prior editions) 

Printed on recycled paper