Social Security Act
June 8, 1934 ? FDR announced his intention to provide a program for Social Security
Created Committee on Economic Security
January 1935 ? Committee reported to FDR and both Houses of Congress
August 14, 1935 ? Social Security Act signed into law
Notes:
On June 8, 1934, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt,, announced his intention to provide a program for Social Security in a message to Congress. The President created the Committee on Economic Security, which was composed of Frances Perkins, Secretary of Labor, Chairwoman; Henry Morgenthau, Jr., Secretary of the Treasury; Henry A. Wallace, Secretary of Agriculture; Homer S. Cummings, Attorney General; and Harry L. Hopkins, Federal Emergency Relief Administrator. The committee was instructed to study the entire problem of economic insecurity and to make recommendations that would serve as the basis for legislative consideration by the Congress.
In early January 1935, the Committee made its report to the President, and on January 17 the President introduced the report to both Houses of Congress. The Social Security Act was signed into law on August 14, 1935. In addition to several provisions for general welfare, the new Act created a social insurance program designed to pay retired workers age 65 or older a continuing income after retirement.