General

Why I Serve

August 13, 2015 • By

Reading Time: 1 Minute

Last Updated: August 19, 2021

A local office Social Security employee helps a person fill out formsOn the eve of Social Security’s 80th anniversary, we want to share a personal moment with you. We usually talk about the services we offer, and why we believe offering these services is important to you and our nation.

We seldom get the opportunity to speak about our employees – those who stand behind the desk, behind the computer screen, or on the other end of the calls to our toll-free telephone service. Social Security employs more than 62,000 men and women nationwide.

Our employees’ duties range from taking a retirement application, to designing the signs posted on the walls of our field offices, to creating and editing thousands of publications, to designing and maintaining our vast computer network. Our team does this with a common goal of serving America by providing services to our nation’s most vulnerable citizens in times of personal hardship, transition, and uncertainty.

In the past few months, we asked our employees to share why they serve. Their answers, often expressed in heartfelt narratives, almost universally contained one sentiment.

I serve because I enjoy working with our public and because the services we provide matter.

Our greatest satisfaction comes from knowing that the people who need our benefits most – retirees, people with the disabilities, children, and families – receive the help they need. Social Security continues to give Americans hope and support with expanded programs that offer more than even President Franklin D. Roosevelt envisioned 80 years ago, when he signed the Social Security Act into law.

Tomorrow, we celebrate the anniversary of our program. Today, we celebrate the thousands who bring that program to life every day.

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About the Author

Doug Walker, Deputy Commissioner, Communications

Deputy Commissioner, Office of Communications

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Comments

  1. Craig N.

    I have received very courteous, friendly service, and helpful advice both on the phone and at our local SSA office. This is especially true when compared to many companies with ill-prepared and sometimes unfriendly service people. Thank you.

    • Constance

      Areltics like this make life so much simpler.

  2. Mara M.

    Thank You” Federal Staffing(S.S.A),” for your continued Faith in providing a Shield for We-The- People. In life there is unexpected uncertainty , where We All may need a helping hand to override hurdles thrown our way. Many things are out of our control, like Retirement ( extended break ), therefore let us all have a greater understanding, just how Vital the S.S.A. is in our daily lives!

  3. Norm B.

    I retired from SSA years ago and continue to share program information and just this week attended the Florida Council on Aging conference in Orlando. I shared with 500 in the aging field that the program pays children and disabled as well as retirees. 34% of the payments go to children, the disabled, young mothers and others. We agreed that SS will continue to serve the wage earners of America well and will continue well into the future. It is an earned right with a defined benefit. What’s not to love….

    • Nathan

      Thanks for speaking up on behalf of workers of America.

  4. Micheal T.

    My step-grandfather had very painful arthritis but knew nothing about the disability provisions of the SSA. When he reached 62, he took the reduced benefits of early retirement because he had to retire – he just couldn’t keep going. The benefits were not very much in those days (they’re not really all that high now!) and he asked the agent who enrolled him whether there was anything that could be done to increase the amount, and the agent — who still did not know about Grandpa’s disability (because Grandpa didn’t know it would make a difference, so he didn’t mention it) — said that, regrettably, there wasn’t. But when Grandpa got up and started to leave, the agent noticed he was walking somewhat gingerly. “Mr. Green,” he called. “Do you have rheumatoid arthritis?” “Yes, I do,” Grandpa answered. “Come back! There *is* something we can do!” And that’s how my grandfather got full disability benefit, which was significantly higher than the reduced retirement benefit he would have gotten at age 62, if that agent had not been alert and noticed that he was in great pain just from walking.

  5. asmith

    Lets hope the politicians do not cut SS. If the wage cap was raised there will be money to fund it. I paid in for 40 plus years now and have a few years to go, my kids are paying in. We didnt pay in it to see it cut. Most of the politicians have regular jobs that pay well on top of the political salaries so they could care less about their ss checks.

  6. Joan C.

    Ms. Washington from the Birmingham, Alabama office was very professional and courteous during our application for my husband’s retirement benefits. Many thanks to her.

  7. Deberah A.

    Congratulations on your anniversary. I would like to send a “thank you” to one of your officers in the Fort Worth, TX downtown office, Roger Carrillo. Mr. Carrillo worked with my husband and myself in February and again this past Monday, August 10, 2015. I cannot compliment him enough for his professionalism, kindness and compassion. As I told him, serving a school district for 37 years, was a piece of cake, but wrapping up retirement issues, well I was out of my element and it was stressful. Mr. Carrillo made all the anxiety go away, we couldn’t have been more pleased. In our case, you most assuredly hired the right person… Well done, Mr. Carrillo, we are so grateful for all your help and expertise. Most appreciative,

  8. Sally

    I gave almost 40 yrs snd yes I loved my SSA job, health issues caused me to retire.
    My husband is completing 42 yrs this Sept

  9. Araya V.

    Happy 80th. Anniversary SSA!. I did not volunteer to work for SSA just yet, but I would like to sent a BIG Thank You to an officer at Tampa, FL. His name is Kashif Taalib-Din. He is very helpful and professionally give me many good advice. He represents SSA very well.
    Best Regards,
    Araya Vann

  10. phill

    I have worked with the Butler, PA SS Office and found everyone to be very kind and knowledagable.

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