Carolyn Colvin: SSA celebrates 80 years of service

Federal Drive

Carolyn Colvin: SSA celebrates 80 years of service

On Aug. 14 1935, President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act. Its goal was to give Americans a national plan for economic security when they ret...

August 14, 2015 11:07 am

< a min read

On Aug. 14 1935, President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act. Its goal was to give Americans a national plan for economic security when they retired. Eighty years later, the Social Security Administration provides retirement and disability benefits for 60 million Americans at a cost of $850 billion a year. Carolyn Colvin is the Acting Commissioner for the Social Security Administration. She spoke with Federal News Radio's Emily Kopp on the Federal Drive to talk about the agency's rich history, plans for keeping it vital, and the impact social security has had.