<Tr> <Th_colspan="8"> Notes: Tax rate is the sum of the OASDI and Medicare rate for employers and workers . In 2011 and 2012, the OASDI tax rate on workers was set temporarily to 4.2% while the employers OASDI rate remained at 6.2% giving 10.4% total rate . Medicare taxes of 2.9% now (2013) have no taxable income ceiling . Sources: Social Security Administration </Th> </Tr> <P> Social Security Timeline </P> <Ul> <Li> 1935 The 37 - page Social Security Act signed August 14 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt . Retirement benefits only to worker, welfare benefits started </Li> <Li> 1937 First Social Security Cards issued by post offices, over 20 million issued in first year </Li> <Li> 1937 Ernest Ackerman receives first lump - sum payout (of 17 cents) in January . </Li> <Li> 1939 Two new categories of beneficiaries added: spouse and minor children of a retired worker </Li> <Li> 1940 First monthly benefit check issued to Ida May Fuller for $22.54 </Li> <Li> 1950 Benefits increased and cost of living adjustments (COLAs) made at irregular intervals--77% COLA in 1950 </Li> <Li> 1954 Disability program added to Social Security </Li> <Li> 1960 Flemming v. Nestor . Landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling that gave Congress the power to amend and revise the schedule of benefits . The Court also ruled that recipients have no contractual right to receive payments . </Li> <Li> 1961 Early retirement age lowered to age 62 at reduced benefits </Li> <Li> 1965 Medicare health care benefits added to Social security--20 million joined in three years </Li> <Li> 1966 Medicare tax of 0.7% added to pay for increased Medicare expenses </Li> <Li> 1972 Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program federalized and assigned to Social Security Administration </Li> <Li> 1975 Automatic cost of living adjustments (COLAs) mandated </Li> <Li> 1977 COLA adjustments brought back to "sustainable" levels </Li> <Li> 1980 Amendments are made in disability program to help solve some problems of fraud </Li> <Li> 1983 Taxation of Social Security benefits introduced, new federal hires required to be under Social Security, retirement age increased for younger workers to 66 and 67 years </Li> <Li> 1984 Congress passed the Disability Benefits Reform Act modifying several aspects of the disability program </Li> <Li> 1996, Drug addiction or alcoholism disability benefits could no longer be eligible for disability benefits . The Earnings limit doubled exemption amount for retired Social Security beneficiaries . Terminated SSI eligibility for most non-citizens </Li> <Li> 1997 The law requires the establishment of federal standards for state - issued birth certificates and requires SSA to develop a prototype counterfeit - resistant Social Security card--still being worked on . </Li> <Li> 1997 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, (TANF), replaces Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program placed under SSA </Li> <Li> 1997 State Children's Health Insurance Program for low income citizens--(SCHIP) added to Social Security Administration </Li> <Li> 2003 Voluntary drug benefits with supplemental Medicare insurance payments from recipients added </Li> <Li> 2009 No Social Security Benefits for Prisoners Act of 2009 signed . </Li> </Ul> <Li> 1935 The 37 - page Social Security Act signed August 14 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt . Retirement benefits only to worker, welfare benefits started </Li>

When did social security began in the united states