90th Anniversary of the Social Security Act

Published: Thu 14th Aug 25

President Donald J. Trump's proclamation declares August 14, 2025, the 90th anniversary of the Social Security Act.

The proclamation praises the Act's enduring importance, highlights the administration's efforts to combat fraud and improve the Social Security Administration's efficiency, and celebrates the significant tax relief provided to seniors.

Trump also connects strong border security policies to the preservation of Social Security benefits.

Arguments For

  • Intended benefits: Celebrates the historical significance of the Social Security Act and reaffirms the administration's commitment to protecting and strengthening the program. The proclamation highlights measures taken to reduce fraud, waste, and abuse, resulting in cost savings and ensuring future solvency for the program. The proclamation also celebrates the largest tax break for seniors in US history.

  • Evidence cited: The proclamation mentions the passage of the "One Big Beautiful Bill" leading to tax relief for seniors and the administration's efforts to combat fraud.

  • Implementation methods: The proclamation describes the administration's actions to combat fraud, improve efficiency within the Social Security Administration, and strengthen border security to protect the program's integrity.

  • Legal/historical basis: The proclamation is issued by the President, invoking the authority vested in him by the Constitution and laws of the United States. It commemorates the 90th anniversary of the Social Security Act.

Arguments Against

  • Potential impacts: Critics might argue that the measures to combat fraud could disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. The connection between border security and social security benefits might be viewed as tenuous or politically motivated.

  • Implementation challenges: Combating fraud effectively and improving the efficiency of the Social Security Administration are complex tasks with potential for unforeseen challenges.

  • Alternative approaches: Alternative solutions to enhance Social Security's long-term solvency, such as raising the retirement age or increasing payroll taxes, might not have been discussed or considered. Alternative approaches to border security may be viewed as more effective or less controversial.

  • Unintended effects: Increasing border security measures to protect social security benefits might have negative impacts on related programs or overall immigration policy.

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

On August 14, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into law the Social Security Act — a monumental legislative achievement that protects our seniors, uplifts our citizens, and sustains the livelihoods of hardworking Americans who devoted their professions to bettering our country.  On the 90th anniversary of the establishment of this historic program, I recommit to always defending Social Security, rewarding the men and women who make our country prosperous, and taking care of our own workers, families, seniors, and citizens first.

To this day, Social Security is rooted in a simple promise:  those who gave their careers to building our Nation will always have the support, stability, and relief they deserve.  Thanks to my Administration’s efforts, Social Security now stands stronger and more resilient than ever before.  Following the passage of the historic One Big Beautiful Bill last month, the vast majority of seniors who receive Social Security will pay zero tax on their Social Security benefits — the largest tax break for seniors in the history of our country.

To further strengthen Social Security, my Administration is aggressively rooting out all fraud, waste, and abuse that rob our Federal programs of resources — including stopping payments to the deceased and eliminating benefits for those who do not legally qualify.  These measures will save American taxpayers billions of dollars every year and ensure that future generations receive the benefits they spent their lives paying into.  At the same time, I am making the Social Security Administration more efficient, more responsive, and more effective than ever before — reducing wait times and delivering the payments the American people worked hard to earn.  I am also proudly restoring strong border security policies to ensure that Medicare and Social Security are preserved for the citizens who paid into them — not abused by illegal aliens who have no right to be here.

On this 90th anniversary of the Social Security Act, we recognize the countless contributions of every American senior who has invested their time, talent, and resources into our Nation’s future.  On this momentous milestone, we recommit to strengthening our retirement system, protecting programs like Social Security and Medicare against fraud and abuse, and ensuring that every future generation of American citizens has the income security they need and earned.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim August 14, 2025, as the 90th Anniversary of the Social Security Act.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this

fourteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.

DONALD J. TRUMP