Social Security Administration (SSA)

What is the Social Security Administration (SSA)?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is the U.S. government agency that administers federal social insurance and assistance programs, including retirement, disability, and survivors’ benefits. The SSA issues Social Security numbers (SSNs), manages program finances and trust funds, handles enrollment for Medicare Parts A and B, and administers Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The agency is headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, and operates regional, processing, and field offices nationwide.

Core programs and services

• Social Security retirement benefits — monthly income for eligible retired workers and their families.
• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) — benefits for workers with qualifying disabilities and, in some cases, their dependents.
• Survivors’ benefits — payments to family members of deceased workers who qualified for Social Security.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) — needs-based cash assistance for elderly, blind, and disabled individuals with limited income and resources (funded separately from Social Security payroll taxes).
• Medicare Parts A and B — the SSA handles enrollment for these programs.
• Social Security numbers — issuance and replacement of SSN cards required for many government and private-sector services.

How Social Security is financed

Social Security benefits are primarily funded by payroll taxes collected under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) and by self-employment taxes. Payroll tax receipts flow into two main trust funds:

• Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund — supports retirement and survivors’ benefits.
• Disability Insurance (DI) Trust Fund — supports disability benefits.

SSI is administered by the SSA but is financed through general federal revenues, not payroll taxes.

History in brief

• 1935: The Social Security Act established old-age insurance and other programs.
• 1946: The Social Security Administration was formed to carry out Social Security functions.
• 1965: Medicare was created, with SSA responsible for enrollment administration.
• 1972: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) was established and annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) were added.

Financial outlook (trustees’ findings)

According to the 2024 report of the Boards of Trustees for Social Security and Medicare:

• The OASI Trust Fund was projected to be depleted in 2033; payroll tax income would then be sufficient to pay about 79% of scheduled benefits that year (an improvement from prior estimates).
• The DI Trust Fund was projected to be able to pay 100% of scheduled benefits through 2098.
• Combined OASI and DI (OASDI) were projected to pay full scheduled benefits through 2035; after reserves are depleted, continuing income would cover a smaller share (about 83% in the trustees’ projection).

These projections are updated annually and reflect assumptions about economic and demographic trends.

Replacing a Social Security card

If you need a replacement SSN card and your information is unchanged, you can request a new card online via the SSA website (where available). Alternatively, you can complete the paper application and submit it by mail or in person at a field office, following SSA instructions and documentation requirements.

Key takeaways

• The SSA administers Social Security retirement, disability, survivors’ benefits, SSI, Medicare enrollment (Parts A and B), and issues SSNs.
• Payroll taxes fund Social Security benefits through the OASI and DI trust funds; SSI is funded from general revenues.
• Trustees’ reports project long-term financing challenges for OASI and combined OASDI, prompting ongoing policy discussions.
• Individuals can replace an SSN card through SSA online services or by submitting a paper application.

Bottom line

The SSA plays a central role in the U.S. social safety net, delivering benefits to millions and maintaining critical administrative functions such as SSN issuance and Medicare enrollment. Understanding the agency’s programs, funding structure, and financial outlook can help individuals better plan for retirement, disability contingencies, and access to benefits.