THIS MONTH IN SOCIAL SECURITY HISTORY

May 18, 1933 The first significant use of the term "Social Security" came about when the American Association for Old-age Security became the American Association for Social Security.

May 13, 1935 The Social Security Bill (H.R. 7260) was reported out by the Senate Finance Committee.

May 1, 1936 The first seven regional offices of the Social Security Board were opened; the remaining five were opened by the end of the year.

May 8, 1936 The following appointments of Regional Directors of the Social Security Board were made: John Pearson, Region I (Boston); Anna Rosenberg, Region II (New York) ; William L. Dill, Region III (Philadelphia); Fred Wilcox, Region VIII (Minneapolis); Ed McDonald, Region IX (Kansas City); Oscar Powell, Region X (San Antonio).

May 19, 1936 Clowacki R. Parker was appointed the Regional Director of the Social Security Board, Washington, D.C.

May 10, 1937 The Social Security Board joined with a Special Committee on Social Security of the Senate Finance Committee in the appointment of an Advisory Council on Social Security. It consisted of representatives of labor and employers' organizations, as well as actuaries and economists, to advise and report specifically on the old-age benefits program and its extension to survivors of insured workers and to groups now excluded.

May 24, 1937 In three decisions, the Supreme Court validated the unemployment insurance provisions of the Social Security Act and ruled old-age pensions were constitutional, (301 U.S. 495, 548, 619) in Steward Machine Company v. Davis; Helvering v. Davis; and Carmichael v. Southern Coal Company.

May 5, 1942 Arthur J. Altmeyer, Chairman of the Social Security Board, was appointed Executive Director of the War Manpower Commission. He continued his duties on the Social Security Board.

May 8, 1948 The Advisory Council on Social Security presented its second report, with recommendations for an insurance system to cover the risks of permanent and total disability, to the Senate Finance Committee.

May 24, 1962 Secretary Ribicoff sent the first message to go out nationwide over the newly completed Bureau of Old-Age and Survivors Insurance telecommunication network. The network linked the 599 Social Security District Offices and the seven Payment Centers with headquarters in Baltimore.

May 5, 1965 Lyndon B. Johnson presented a Social Security check to the 20-millionth beneficiary.

May 16, 1966 The one-millionth disabled worker in current payment status was added to the disability benefit rolls. In February 1966, Marlin Enders, a 51-year-old coal miner from Tremont, Pennsylvania was awarded disability benefits for himself and his family.

May 1969 Secretary Finch released the final report of the Task Force on Prescription Drugs. Dr. Philip R. Lee headed the Task Force from its inception in May 19, 1967. The Task Force's charge was to study the possibility of adding prescription drug coverage to the recently enacted Medicare program.

May 2, 1970 The first Black Lung benefits were paid.

May 25, 1970 Robert J. Myers, SSA's Chief Actuary since 1947, retired.

May 4, 1980 With the departure of the Office of Education, DHEW became the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

May 6, 1981 John A. Svahn became the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration.

May 17, 1994 SSA's Internet site was launched on the World-Wide Web (SSA Online at http://www.ssa.gov). Bruce Carter was appointed as the Webmaster.

May 1, 1997 The cycling of Social Security benefit payments began. Under payment cycling, new beneficiaries receive their payment on one of three Wednesdays during the month, based on their date of birth (or the worker's DOB in the case of auxiliaries). For DOB 1-10, second Wednesday; for DOB 11-20, third Wednesday; for DOB 21-end, fourth Wednesday.

May 2, 2001 President Bush announced the appointment of a 16-member bi-partisan Commission on Social Security. The Commission has been tasked to develop a proposal to modernize and restore financial soundness to Social Security, according to the principles the President announced in his State-of-the-Union Address.