Social Security Act
Title
Social Security Act
Creator
United States Congress
Subject
Great Depression
New Deal
Social welfare—United States
Unemployment insurance—United States
Economic recovery—United States
Social Security
New Deal
Social welfare—United States
Unemployment insurance—United States
Economic recovery—United States
Social Security
Description
The Social Security Act, signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on August 14, 1935, established a federal system of old-age benefits, unemployment insurance, and assistance programs for vulnerable Americans during the Great Depression. The act marked a major expansion of the federal government’s role in economic security and social welfare. It was designed to provide long-term financial stability and reduce the economic hardships caused by unemployment, poverty, and old age.
Publisher
National Archives and Records Administration
Contributor
Roosevelt, Franklin D.
Wagner, Robert F.
Lewis, David J.
Wagner, Robert F.
Lewis, David J.
Date
1935-08-14
Type
text
Format
Digital text (government document)
Identifier
https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/social-security-act?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Source
National Archives and Records Administration, Milestone Documents
Language
English
Relation
Related to the New Deal; related to unemployment insurance and federal welfare programs
Coverage
1935 United States
Rights
Public Domain
Files
Collection
Citation
United States Congress, “Social Security Act,” Santa Clara University Digital Exhibits, accessed May 12, 2026, https://dh.scu.edu/exhibits/items/show/5899.
Item Relations
This item has no relations.