The U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) has celebrated a historic milestone — 90 years of providing financial stability to retirees, individuals with disabilities, and families facing hardship.
Established in 1935 under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Social Security has become one of the most trusted institutions in America, delivering essential benefits to millions of people every month.
A New Era Under Leadership
This year’s anniversary marks more than just a celebration of its legacy. It signals the beginning of a new chapter under the leadership of Commissioner Frank J. Bisignano. With support from President Donald J. Trump, the SSA is undergoing a digital-first transformation, designed to make services faster, smarter, and more accessible.
A Leap Forward in Public Service
Since taking office, Commissioner Bisignano has implemented sweeping changes that have redefined the way Americans interact with Social Security. Key changes include:
24/7 Access to Personal Accounts: Beneficiaries can now access their personal accounts anytime, resulting in over half a million transactions within three weeks. This is a significant shift from previous years when the system was offline 29 hours each week.
Improved Call Center Performance: Average wait times on the SSA’s National 800 Number have dropped dramatically, from 30 minutes to just a few minutes. Additionally, 30% of calls are now resolved instantly with advanced technology, and 90% of inquiries are completed through self-service or convenient callbacks.
Enhanced Field Office Efficiency: Wait times at field offices have decreased by 30%, appointment bookings have reached record levels, and phone systems have been upgraded nationwide. Disability claim backlogs have been reduced by 26%, and hearing wait times have been shortened by 60 days.
Record Support for Beneficiaries
In 2025, Social Security will provide over $1.6 trillion in benefits to 72 million Americans, highlighting the program’s crucial role in retirement and income security.
The SSA also accelerated over $17 billion in payments under the Social Security Fairness Act, delivering funds five months ahead of schedule to more than 3 million beneficiaries.
Commitment to Modernization and Security
Under Bisignano’s leadership, the SSA is focusing on operational agility, data-driven decision-making, and robust security. The agency has strengthened its safeguards against fraud, waste, and abuse, while also bolstering cybersecurity measures in response to previous breaches.
Looking to the Future: Securing the Next 90 Years
“We are committed to meeting people’s needs quickly and completely, no matter how they reach us,” Commissioner Bisignano said. “We’re empowering our workforce, integrating cutting-edge technology, and ensuring that Social Security remains strong for generations to come.”
As the SSA celebrates its 90th anniversary, the focus is on a future defined by innovation, efficiency, and trust — the pillars that will continue to support this essential program for decades to come.
