Table of Contents
- What Is the Social Security Administration (SSA)?
- Social Security Administration Programs
- History of the Social Security Administration
- Social Security Administration: Annual Report
- What Programs Does the Social Security Administration Oversee?
- What’s the Difference Between Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Benefits?
- How Can Individuals Replace a Social Security Card?
- The Bottom Line
What Is the Social Security Administration (SSA)?
Let me tell you directly: The Social Security Administration (SSA) is the U.S. government agency that handles social programs for disability, retirement, and survivors’ benefits, plus other services. It's also in charge of issuing Social Security numbers and managing the program's finances and trust funds.
Unlike most agencies, the SSA is based in Baltimore, Maryland, not Washington, D.C. It operates 10 regional offices, six processing centers, and about 1,230 field offices, with nearly 60,000 employees. Be aware that the SSA has planned workforce cuts and office closures for 2025 under President Donald Trump.
Social Security Administration Programs
The SSA runs the Social Security program, which is crucial for your retirement planning, especially since savings rates are low at 4.6% as of February 2025. Nearly 69 million Americans, including retirees, disabled workers, and survivors, will get monthly benefits in 2025, making it one of the world's largest government programs.
These benefits come from payroll taxes paid by employers, employees, and the self-employed, flowing into two trust funds: the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund for retirees and the Disability Insurance Trust Fund (DI) for disability recipients.
Beyond retirement and disability, the SSA offers services like administering Supplemental Security Income (SSI), enrolling people in Medicare Parts A and B, and issuing Social Security numbers (SSNs) needed for things like credit, insurance, or even hunting licenses. Remember, SSI is separate from Social Security—it's not funded by payroll taxes and helps the disabled, blind, and elderly with limited income and resources.
History of the Social Security Administration
The story starts in 1935 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act, creating the Social Security Board for old age insurance, unemployment, and public assistance. In 1946, that board was replaced by the Social Security Administration, which was under the Department of Health and Human Services until 1994, when it became independent again.
In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson established Medicare, which the SSA administers. Amendments in 1972 added the SSI program and annual cost-of-living adjustments to benefits. As of 2025, the SSA is led by Acting Commissioner Lee Dudek, appointed by President Trump, with Frank Bisignano nominated and awaiting Senate confirmation as of April 4, 2025. The trustees issue annual reports on the financial status of Social Security and Medicare.
Social Security Administration: Annual Report
Each year, the Boards of Trustees for Social Security and Medicare release a report on the programs' current and future finances. In the 2024 report, they project the OASI Trust Fund will run out in 2033, same as in 2023, but payroll taxes would cover 79% of benefits then, up from 77%.
The DI Trust Fund is expected to cover 100% of benefits through 2098, an extension from 2097 in the prior report. Combined, the OASDI funds are projected to last until 2035, after which income would cover 83% of benefits—better than the 2034 depletion and 80% coverage from the 2023 report.
What Programs Does the Social Security Administration Oversee?
The SSA oversees Social Security benefits for qualified retirees, disabled individuals, and their families, plus it handles SSI payments, Medicare Parts A and B, and issues Social Security numbers.
What’s the Difference Between Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Benefits?
SSI provides monthly cash to elderly or disabled people with low income to cover basics, and it's entirely separate from Social Security's retirement and disability benefits.
How Can Individuals Replace a Social Security Card?
If you need to replace your Social Security card without changes, request it online at the SSA website or fill out a printed application and mail it back.
The Bottom Line
The SSA manages and distributes benefits to millions of Americans every year. Knowing how it operates ensures you and your family get the benefits you're entitled to.
Key Takeaways
- The SSA oversees the U.S. Social Security program.
- It administers retirement and disability income benefits.
- The SSA issues Social Security numbers and manages finances and trust funds.
- It handles SSI payments and Medicare Parts A and B.
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