The Last Word On Social Security's 75th Birthday

Happy 75th Anniversary!

Presidential Proclamation

President Obama has issued a proclamation in honor of Social Security's 75th birthday coming up tomorrow. I have not heard of any event involving the President honoring this occasion. I find this disappointing. I know that many Social Security field offices held open houses this week in honor of the anniversary. I am unaware of any event at Social Security's central offices but that does not mean that there was no such event.

Astrue On 75th Anniversary

From a piece supposedly written by Social Security Commissioner Michael Astrue that must have been sent out to newspapers by Social Security's press office:

Social Security, the most successful domestic program in our nation’s history, is celebrating its 75th anniversary. ...

Today, millions of retirees live in dignity thanks to their monthly Social Security benefit payment. Over the decades, Social Security expanded to not only protect against the risk of poverty in old age, but also the economic risk of career-ending disability and the premature death of a worker. ...

As we celebrate 75 years, I reflect on how Social Security was there for my family, how proud I am to work for this remarkable program, and how lucky I am to lead such a talented and compassionate work force.

I have two wonderful children who entered the work force in the past year. One is being called up for active military duty in October and the other will teach inner-city children. It is imperative that they and millions of other young Americans have confidence that we will continue to honor the great inter-generational contract that is Social Security.

It is in this spirit that President Barack Obama established the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform that in December will make recommendations regarding the future of Social Security. ...

Social Security's 75th Anniversary On August 14

From the Sacramento Bee:

Evelyn Sekula's widowed grandmother struggled to survive during the Depression. Like millions of other elderly people, she had no pension and no savings.

"She had no income at all except for what my father gave her," said Sekula, 90, who lives at the Atria El Camino Gardens senior residence in Carmichael. "She was always looking for a way to make money. My father probably gave her $10 a month."

Today's older adults were children and teenagers when President Franklin D. Roosevelt changed the face of aging on Aug. 14, 1935, when he signed the Social Security Act into law.

They remember the difficult years when old age took place in a bleak, Dickensian landscape of need dotted with poor houses for those whose families couldn't support them. And they remember the difference that Social Security made in ordinary people's lives.

They also remember their parents' fears that Social Security amounted to socialism. Yet on the edge of the program's 75th anniversary, most of them can't imagine retirement without the small cushion of funds and dignity that Social Security provides. ...

"If it wasn't for Social Security, I'd be living under a bridge," said Jeneva Hammonds, 84 ...

"Social Security was the first government program instituting the concept that we have a collective responsibility for each other," said American River College gerontology department Chairman Barbara Gillogly. "Before that, there was no real concept of retirement.

"Most people worked until they died or were too ill, and then they were at the mercy of their family and friends."

What Do You Mean "We", Kemo Sabe?

From KTKA News:

On Tuesday, the head of the Social Security Administration Commissioner Michael Astrue arrived in Topeka to mark the opening of the state’s newest hearing office. The Topeka office is expected to cut down on the amount of time people must wait for a judge to hear their disability case. Next week, the office will start hearing cases.

“In the short term, this office allows times in Nebraska, Missouri and Kansas to start dropping very dramatically. Also, in the bigger picture, it is a great sign for the future of the agency we started 75 years ago, SSA Commissioner Michael Astrue said.

Yes, I realize that the "we" may be a reference to we as a nation but it still sounds odd coming from a Republican. The reporter may not have gotten the quote exactly right since she thought that Social Security was only given $500,000 in the Recovery Act to use in working down backlogs!

Social Security's Chief Actuary Questions Raising Normal Retirement Age

Stephen Goss, Social Security's Chief Actuary, has written an article for an issue of the Social Security Bulletin. Goss' article is worth reading in whole. Indeed most of this issue of the Social Security Bulletin, which is devoted to Social Security's impending 75th anniversary, is worth reading. Goss' most important point is that the primary cause of Social Security's long term funding problem is the decreased rate of fertility, that is, the average number of children born to the average American woman, rather than increased life expectancy. Goss throws in this paragraph towards the end of the article:

Because the large shift in the cost of the OASDI [Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance] program over the next 20 years is not due to increasing life expectancy, it is not clear that increasing the NRA [Normal Retirement Age] should be the principal approach for restoring long-term solvency. Increasing the unreduced retirement age beyond 67 is one option that may be considered, given that the population may be healthier in the future and able to work to an older average age. However, this raises the question of the adequacy of monthly benefit levels. After the NRA reaches 67, those persons claiming benefits at age 62 will receive only 70 percent of the unreduced benefit level. Further increase in the NRA would decrease the adequacy of monthly benefits at age 62, and at all other ages, even further.

Raising the normal retirement age has been the favorite plan of many on the right for "fixing" Social Security. My opinion is that increasing the normal retirement age to 67 was a bad idea and that increasing it to 70 is a horrible idea. Raising the normal retirement age to 70 would be terrific way to decrease public support for Social Security, which is exactly why those on the right promote the idea.

Share Your Stories

A press release from Social Security:

Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, today announced that Social Security is asking members of the public, as well as current and former employees, to help the agency celebrate its 75 years of public service by sharing their personal stories and reflections about how Social Security has touched their lives. To share your story, go to www.socialsecurity.gov and click on the box that says “Social Security Celebrates 75 Years of Public Service.” Selected stories will be edited for content and brevity and posted for everyone to read.

“On August 14, the most important and successful domestic program in our nation’s history turns 75,” Commissioner Astrue said. “For three quarters of a century, Social Security has provided a financial lifeline to millions of Americans. As we approach our anniversary, Social Security remains a solid foundation for retirees, the disabled, and survivors. I encourage everyone to visit our website, share their stories, and join me in wishing Social Security a happy 75th anniversary.”

Social Security is asking people to tell how the program made a difference in their lives and the lives of their family and friends. For example:

• How did it feel to receive your first retirement check?
• Tell us if you received survivors benefits when a loved one died.
• How has the Social Security disability program helped you?
• How did a Social Security Administration employee go above and beyond to provide you with great service?
• Current and former Social Security Administration employees: Share your memorable stories of service.

Social Security also will soon launch a video contest “How Social Security Has Made a Difference in My Life.” Submitted videos will be posted on the agency’s YouTube channel and the winning video will be posted on www.socialsecurity.gov. Details of the contest will be posted on the website later this week.

Social Security invites the public to view a special photo gallery that takes them on a brief journey through the agency’s 75-year history. The photo gallery is available at www.socialsecurity.gov/75thanniversary. A more extensive collection of history-related materials that presents both the institutional history of the Social Security Administration and the history of the Social Security program is available at www.socialsecurity.gov/history.

First 75th Birthday Event

I have received notice of the first official commemoration of Social Security's 75th anniversary on August 14. This is not the major, official event but I am sure that one is coming. This one involves:

[A] special presentation and historical exhibit at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, 1st Street NE, Washington, D.C., in Senate Meeting Room SVC203/202, on Friday, July 23, 2010. Commissioner Michael J. Astrue will open the exhibit at 10 a.m. and introduce our keynote speaker Dr. Edward Berkowitz, professor at the George Washington University, Social Security historian and author. The exhibit will remain open until 3 p.m. Larry DeWitt, our Social Security Historian, will be on hand to answer questions.

Plans For Social Security 75th Anniversary?

I know there will be some major event to mark Social Security's 75th anniversary, coming up on August 14, 2010. The Social Security Administration has not announced anything yet. The National Park Service, which runs the Franklin Roosevelt house in Hyde Park, NY, has not announced anything yet. Hyde Park has been the site for similar events in the past. I would bet that the White House is arranging this. I wonder if they delay announcing these things for security reasons. Does anyone know what is in the works?

The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare isn't waiting. They have an extensive commemoration planned.

Social Security Subcommittee Hearing Scheduled

From a press release issued by the House Social Security Subcommittee:

Congressman Earl Pomeroy (D-ND), Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee Subcommittee on Social Security, announced today that the Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the continued importance of Social Security for seniors, survivors, and persons with disabilities and their families as the program approaches its 75th anniversary.

The hearing will take place on Thursday, July 15, 2010 in room B-318, Rayburn House Office Building, beginning at 9:30 a.m. ...

Subcommittee Chairman Earl Pomeroy (D-ND) stated "In addition to commemorating the 75th anniversary of Social Security, this hearing will provide an opportunity to learn how vital this program continues to be for the well-being of all Americans and why we should consider very carefully any changes being proposed for how they will affect the lives of current and future generations of beneficiaries.

Tell Your Story

From a press release:

A new effort to gather stories about the importance of Social Security in our society has been launched. The Social Security Stories Project is seeking story submissions from the public, with a goal of receiving 1,000 stories by the end of July. The stories will then be reviewed for possible inclusion in a new book to be published in honor of the 75th anniversary of Social Security on Aug. 14, 2010. ...

“We are hoping the younger generations will interview their parents and grandparents on the subject which is why our website offers interview questions,” says Barbara Burt, executive director for the Frances Perkins Center, a nonprofit organization leading the project as part of its mission to honor and learn from Frances Perkins (the first woman to serve in a presidential cabinet). A pioneering woman in and ahead of her time, Perkins was U.S. secretary of labor for Franklin Delano Roosevelt. She was champion of the New Deal, close friend and advisor to FDR.

Social Security Working On 75th Anniversary Plans

From the Social Security Update, a newsletter put out by the Social Security Administration:

Social Security’s 75th Anniversary

As we ring in 2010, we also will be ringing in the 75th anniversary of Social Security. On August 14, 1935, Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law. Since then, for 75 years, Social Security has been a cornerstone of our nation, touching the lives of almost every American at one time or another. We’re hoping that Congress will help us celebrate our anniversary by enacting legislation we proposed to name the Operations Building at our headquarters complex after former Commissioner Robert Ball.

Happy 74th Birthday, Social Security!

Getting Ready For A Party

Social Security turns 75 on August 14, 2010. Social Security is already soliciting suggestions on how to celebrate the occasion.