Ninety years ago, on August 14, 1935, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law so as to provide a basic social safety net that would be of broad benefit to the general public. Social Security not only protects vulnerable populations — the elderly, the young, those suffering from illness — but also provides social insurance benefits to workers who become disabled and to families whose breadwinner dies.
The Social Security Act is now the longest-lasting public health law in the United States, notes the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. According to the Center on Budget & Policy Priorities (CBPP), nearly 67 million people, or about 1 in every 5 U.S. residents, collected Social Security benefits in February 2024. Social Security lifts millions of older Americans – more than 16.5 million, according to the CBPP – over the poverty line.
Furthermore, Social Security is the biggest source of retirement income for most retirees — according to the Pew Research Center‘s Drew Desilver:
In 2022, Social Security made up at least 50% or half of total personal income for 38.3 million people, or 63.2% of adult recipients, according to the SIPP data [the Census Bureau’s Survey of Income and Program Participation].
For 26.5 million people or 43.6% of recipients, Social Security accounted for 75% or three-quarters of their income.
For 16.4 million or 27% of recipients, Social Security was their sole source of income.
Ida May Fuller of Ludlow, VT:
1st recipient of monthly Social Security benefits
(image courtesy of Social Security Administration)
Social Security — “one of the most successful anti-poverty programs in the history of our country,” according to the Social Security Administration (SSA) — delivers close to $1.5 trillion in benefits to 71 million Americans. 79% of U.S. adults share the view that Social Security benefits should not be reduced in any way, according to a 2024 Pew Research Center Survey.
To help get the word out to rural Americans during the 1970s about widow’s benefits, childhood disability, family protection, Supplemental Security Income, and the cost of kidney treatment, among other health and income security matters of consequence, the Social Security Administration partnered with A-list entertainers to produce a special series of LP that dispensed music and information in relatively equal measure. 1973 would see Johnny Cash, the popular television host, singer and songwriter, record a series of radio show broadcast albums (possibly as many as eight in all) that were issued by the U.S. Social Security Administration.
Produced by US Dept. of Health, Education & Welfare,
in conjunction with the Social Security Administration
Discogs helpfully informs us —
Each spot has a lead-in with a snippet of “I Walk the Line” and then Cash giving out some important info about Social Security changes, followed by a full Johnny Cash song.
Because each spot is designed for a particular broadcast week, the pressing is designed so that the needle does not advance automatically to the next cut. Rather, the dead wax between songs is wide and the DJ would put the needle where desired. In other words, when you play this, you will advance the needle manually from one cut to the next.
text from the rear cover
Some of the information about social security that listeners in your area will find of great interest:
The following year, in 1974, the Social Security Administration released a similar LP series centered around Donna Fargo, who was enjoying the momentum of back-to-back number one country hits, “Happiest Girl In The Whole U.S.A.” (1972) and “Funny Face” (1973).
“New” Social Security Presents Donna Fargo –
A new series of 5-minute radio shows starring Donna Fargo and her music
The “New” Donna Fargo Show
with guest appearances by other top performers
(rear cover)
text from the rear cover
Some of the information about social security that listeners in your area will find of great interest:
Fargo’s list of musical guests for these special 5-minute radio spots is a rather long one: Hank Snow, Jim Stafford, Moe Bandy, Bill Anderson, Bobby Bare, Ray Stevens, Olivia Newton-John, Mel Tillis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Porter Wagoner, Red Steagall, Billy Swan, Cal Smith, Don Williams, Johnny Paycheck, Ronnie Milsap, Stoney Edwards, Eddy Raven, Ferlin Husky, Dave Dudley, Hoyt Axton, Joe Stampley, Barbara Fairchild, Glen Campbell, George Jones, Billie Jo Spears, Sonny James, Ray Price, Johnny Duncan, Larry Gatlin, Lynn Anderson, Kenny Rogers, Del Reeves, Oak Ridge Boys, Dave Loggins, Johnny Rodriguez, Waylon Jennings, Mary Kay Place, Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash, Marty Robbins, and Dottie West among many others.
In 1974 and 1975, the Social Security Administration would release a “new” LP series of 15-minute radio shows starring Duke Ellington and his music entitled, Social Security Presents The Genius Of Duke. These albums include classic compositions from the Duke canon, including “Mood Indigo“; “Come Sunday“; “Afrique“; “The Blues Ain’t“; “Acht O’Clock Rock“; “Daybreak Express“; “Take The A Train“; “Satin Doll” (the last two written with Billy Strayhorn), with special musical friends, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Lionel Hampton, Billy Taylor, and (son) Mercer Ellington, servings as hosts.
(rear cover)
text from the rear cover –
Features many of Duke Ellington’s all-time favorites and some of his latest musical moods — plus the Duke’s informal comments on his compositions. Hal Jackson with information on social security rights and benefits:
In 1977, the Social Security Administration released a 12-inch album of radio spots — 16 on side one and 13 on side two, voiced by Donna Fargo, James Earl Jones, Hal Jackson, and an unnamed announcer —- that addressed a wide range of issues and concerns.
1977 LP
compilation of radio spots
The Social Security Administration then followed with an LP series in 1978 – “Music You Can’t Forget” – that comprised 15-minute radio programs featuring Carol Channing as host.
Social Security Presents
Carol Channing
Historical Footnote:
Among the items belonging to the Carol Channing Estate that were auctioned in 2021 by the Abell Auction Company:
A group of approximately 28 new old stock of the two box sets of Social Security Administration Presents Music You Can’t Forget Hosted by Carol Channing for Shows 53-65 and Shows 66-78, respectively, most being the former.
In 1979, the Social Security Administration released Genius On The Black Side — “a brand new series of 5-minute radio shows hosted by James Earl Jones and featuring leading black artists” (i.e., Count Basie, Sarah Vaughn, Lou Rawls, The Four Tops, Wilson Pickett, Jimmy Lunceford, Cheryl Lynn, Billy Eckstine, The Commodores, Little Richard, Thelma Houston, Fats Waller, Charles Mingus, Della Reese, Herbie Hancock, The Crusaders, Ben Vereen, Art Tatum, and Ramsey Lewis, among others).
series began earlier in 1975, apparently
Harry Chapin (circa early 1980s) was also tapped by the Social Security Administration to record a special series of informational radio spots — with help from Johnny Mathis, Tammy Grimes, Tom Chapin, and comedy team, Duncan, Dooley, Lipton — on a whole host of health and income security matters. The Social Security Administration would also Chapin’s :
Social Security Presents Keep The Change –
Hosted by Harry Chapin
Radio Spots
Harry Chapin & Friends
“Social Security“
Jim Nesbitt
(1968)
“Ida Mae“
Joe Glazer
(1986)
“Waiting For The Mail And Social Security“
Norman & Nancy Blake
(2017)
“Hands Off Our Social Security!“
Louise & Thom Hartmann
(2025)
A P P E N D I X
Translating Legislation Into Direct Action
State Children’s Health Insurance Program
Medicaid’s website says —
With 9.6 million children enrolled (as of 2018), the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides health coverage to eligible children through both Medicaid and separate CHIP programs. Children eligible for CHIP are in families with incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid, but too low to afford private coverage. CHIP, which is funded by states and the federal government, is managed by states according to federal requirements.
Medicaid and CHIP currently cover over 37 million children, based on Medicaid data. According to a 2025 report from Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy, Medicaid, along with the Children’s Health Insurance Program, collectively provide coverage to more than 40% of US children under the age of six, including 75% of young, low-income children.
Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant
(Title V)
US Dept. of HHS’ Health Resources & Services Administration’ (HRSA) website notes —
As one of the largest Federal block grant programs, Title V is a key source of support for promoting and improving the health of the Nation’s mothers and children. The purpose of the Title V Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant Program is to create Federal/State partnerships that enable each state/jurisdiction to address the health services needs of its mothers, infants and children, which includes children with special health care needs, and their families.
In 2020, Title V services reached about 32% of all pregnant women, 98% of all infants, and 60% of all children nationwide, which includes 50% of all children and youth with special health care needs, according to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
Federal Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Benefits
(Title II)
Supplemental Security Income for the Aged, Blind & Disabled
OASDI, primarily financed by a federal payroll tax on cash wages, is one of the largest items in the federal budget, with benefits payments of $1.23 trillion in 2022, according to the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, who note that this figure represents 23 percent of total federal receipts.
Social Security Administration’s website explains how disability insurance was incorporated into Social Security’s mandate:
Today it is widely recognized that the acronym OASDI refers to the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance program of the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, the program that began in 1935 originally did not contain provisions for disability insurance. In fact, the “D” in OASDI was implemented more than 20 years later, on August 1, 1956. This is the date that President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed into law the 1956 Amendments to the Social Security Act establishing the Social Security Disability Insurance program.
In a 2022 study entitled Disability Insurance Income Saves Lives, researchers from the SSA’s Disability Research Consortium at the National Bureau of Economic Research found that federal disability insurance payments “reduce mortality among lower-income beneficiaries.”
Social Security Administration’s website also notes —
Social Security benefits are essential to the economic well-being of millions of individuals. At the end of December 2019, about 64 million people were receiving benefits that totaled approximately $89 billion for the month. Beneficiaries were paid approximately $1.05 trillion in calendar year 2019. During that year, approximately 176 million employees and self-employed workers, along with employers, contributed $944 billion to the OASDI trust funds—through which contributions are credited and benefits are paid.
Grants to States for Unemployment Compensation Administration
Social Security Administration’s website explains —
Unemployment insurance was initiated on a national basis in the United States as Title III and Title IX of the Social Security Act of 1935. It is a Federal-State coordinated program. Each State administers its own program within national guidelines promulgated under Federal law. The program is designed to provide partial income replacement to regularly employed members of the labor force who become involuntarily unemployed.
A 2022 report from The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities found that historic unemployment insurances (UI) programs during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic “provided vital support to workers and the economy”:
The temporary pandemic unemployment programs significantly increased the coverage, duration, and adequacy of unemployment benefits compared to regular UI, substantially reducing hardship and providing important stabilization and impetus for recovery for a sharply declining economy. Without these measures, about 5 million more people would have had annual income below the poverty line in 2020 (and potentially 6 million more in 2021); many additional millions would have had less money for food, shelter, and other necessities for their families; the jobs rebound that far surpassed initial projections would have lost steam; tens of millions of workers not covered by regular UI, especially workers of color, would not have received any benefits; and up to 27,000 more people may have died from COVID-19 in its early months because they needed to work in higher-risk occupations to make ends meet.
Health Insurance for the Aged and Disabled
President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Medicare and Medicaid Act into law on July 30, 1965. Also known as the Social Security Amendments of 1965, this major piece of legislation established Medicare, a health insurance program for the elderly, and Medicaid, a health insurance program for people with limited income. Funding for these programs would be linked to a tax on the earnings of employees, and matched by contributions paid by employers. The initial impetus, however, had come from Harry S. Truman twenty years prior when the President sent a message to Congress inquiring about legislation for a national health insurance plan, particularly in light of a growing aged population in an time of rising health costs taking a bigger share of limited incomes, with one in eight Americans then lacking health insurance.
The National Archives’ website provides additional historical context:
Private insurers had long considered this illness-prone population [the elderly] a “bad risk.” A broad debate about the need for a social insurance program to provide older Americans with reliable health care coverage started within the Social Security Administration and in Congress. Public hearings were held, and the House of Representatives considered several proposals, but the debate did not intensify until 1960, when it became clear that private insurers were becoming increasingly incapable of providing comprehensive, affordable health care coverage to the rapidly growing population of older adults. Between 1960 and 1965, the health coverage debate was a front burner issue in Congress, with dozens of proposals introduced and testimonies given by representatives of major organizations, including the American Hospital Association, the American Medical Association, and the AFL-CIO.
