Why I Serve
Reading Time: 1 MinuteLast Updated: August 19, 2021
On 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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Tags: social security, SSA
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Doug Walker, Deputy Commissioner, Communications
Deputy Commissioner, Office of Communications
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pearl
Sorry, folks, but as long as the SSA continues to dole out benefits to the illegals here in our country, the SSA is not serving me. I paid into the SS system for over 50 years, and now that I’m retired and desperately need help, I cannot get it.
I would be interested to know who the SSA rocket scientists are who determine whether or not we will get an annual COLA raise, as well as how much that COLA raise, if any, will be. This year, I got a 1.7% SS COLA raise, which does not begin to cover the $400/month apartment rent increase I have received over the last three years; or the 4.5% cost increase in groceries over the past year; or the 20% cost increase in medical costs over the past year, etc.
The SS system is a colossal farce!!! It serves the illegals in our country very well, but ignores we who have paid into the system all our working lives.
I urge everyone to write to the SSA, as well as to their elected representatives, demanding that this wrong be corrected, and that we receive realistic annual COLA raises in order to survive!!!
K.C.
Hold on Kevin you’re not alone !
I myself, I am thoroughly disgusted and literally moreover physically want to vomit on how the taxpaying citizens are brushed aside because they cannot stand up for themselves due to the fact that they don’t have the mental ability to. This is then take evangel upon by anyone or everyone that has anything to do with the Social Security ministration, lawyers, judges, etc. to see your weakness and they most definitely take advantage of it ( mainly pushing you to your breaking point to who knows what that is )
instead of offering assistance ( which is their moral and lawful obligation) to find a solution to it
I am absolutely furious about how far off, corrupt and how far and corrupt; oh did I mention that?
As I was stating I am thoroughly disgusted with the system altogether while illegal immigrants, I’m not pointing the finger at any race merrily stating how people who should not rightfully be in this country receive benefits before born citizens who have paid into the system. Believe me I’ve cried over this many times and that is the only brief moment of relief I get why I don’t know I’m mentally screwed up but for that brief second I have a glimmer of hope for some reason. If you don’t know what I’m speaking about right now then you do not have a mental disability or at least one similar to the one I suffer from , I am definitely looking forward to the response the SSA gifts to this poor young man who is literally at the end of his rope and I can see how he feels that’s where they want him
CORNELL H.
After serving as a U.S. Marine, i had the honor to work at the Department Of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Dallas as a Program Support Clerk, and at the Internal Revenue Service Downtown Dallas at the Earl Cable Building as a Clerk And i Surely continued my service to my Country when the 911 came and they needed Federal Security Screen Personnel at Dallas Love Field Airport with T.S.A./Homeland Security, You see i asked not what my country could do for me? But what i (cornell Hill) could do for my country:And i regret that i have but only Life to give to my Country,Thank You,Semper Fi And God Bless America.
bettyg
thank you to the AMES, IOWA SS STAFF who worked with me on my 1st and 2nd ssdi claims; they were very helpful and KIND to me.
their director, elizabeth g, was especially great saying, “betty, DON’T GIVE UP EVER; you deserve to be approved”. thanks elizabeth; it took 5 yrs. of hell to be approved.
there are many good staff out there, but it takes a few rotten apples with bad and nasty attitudes that makes it bad for the rest of you who do bust your butts daily for good/personablle service 😉
hugs/prayers to you all also,
bettyg, iowa
Paul L.
I served as an SSA employee for 35 years, both on the front lines and as a manager. I truly believed then and now that what I was doing was making a difference in people’s lives.
MJean
Please stop sending checks to dead people and to those who lie about being disabled!
LGil
I like to thank all the employees of Social Security Administration, especially the employees that work in the Ponce, Puerto Rico Office for all they do for us, excelent job. Thank You
R.F.
Thank you! We’re pleased we can help. Our employees are committed to providing the public with the best service possible. Your note makes us happy, knowing we have made a difference to those we serve every day.
Janice
Poor David in MA. We all need to pray for him. Sounds like he is a lost soul who needs to get to know his Lord and Savior. (Did give me a chuckle though to know someone is so ignorant) Praying for you David!!!
Robert H.
Our AmeriCorps Financial Empowerment Services program members in eight states have been helping for the past six years to educate individuals with disabilities about their Social Security disability benefits and how work incentives can help them gain employment. SSA has been one of the best federal agencies to work with – your employees are dedicated and do good work!
Ned
First and foremost is my concern with the financial viability for continued benefits for the “xers” and “millennians” going forward. There is a growing resentment of these generations towards the “Great Generation” and Boomer folks. They believe we are saturating the pot and there will a negative $$ balance of retirement benefits when they become of age-66-67. Not to fret my child!! Human dynamics have a way of self-leveling when its for the benefit of the masses. The full-time working class will have benefits waiting for them because; 1. aging people are retiring much later than the mandatory age therefore opting to receive benefits later in life. 2. aging people are much healthier today than 20 yrs ago and don’t require high cost medicare treatments or they are choosing to live at home vs. a high cost nursing home. Medical technology advancements are saving medicare $$$$ while chronic disease mgmt. is reducing waste and redundancy.
The general public must change its perception about the intent of Soc. Security. It is and was not designed as a mass dole program. It is not a welfare program. It is not a hand-out for the weak and unmotivated. It is an entitlement program deserving of those who have worked their fannies off for 30yrs or more. It is essentially a built in savings plan for you that most Americans have been unable to accomplish of their own free will.
Social Security is more than a process. At 80 yrs old I find it to be an engrained institution throughout the fabric of our lives. Imagine this entitlement to be non-existent during this current demographic bulge. As the definition of security is evidenced in benefits think of the 8000 boomers daily who are choosing to retire. What would they rely on to keep them secure and reasonably safe and healthy in their golden years. Lets face the facts, 7 out of 10 retiring populations haven’t saved a nickel for retirement.
“Thank You Social Security”