From: "Social Security: Summary of Major Changes in the Cash Benefits Program" at government website:
"..For most of the history of Social Security in the following decades, changes to the program were ones of expansion.. " and "..The types of recipients eligible for benefits were expanded over the years, and benefit levels were increased periodically. In 1972, legislation provided that, beginning in 1975, benefits would rise by the same percentage as the cost-of-living."  Yep, I've got the misinformation alright :-)