The Social Security program has been expanded, updated, or shored up by almost every occupant of the Oval Office for over 90 years. Most presidents in the modern era have left a unique fingerprint on your monthly check.
From Franklin D. Roosevelt’s historic stroke of a pen in 1935 to the recent tax-cutting measures of the Trump administration in 2025, the program has evolved from a simple safety net into a complex system of retirement, disability and health insurance.
Think you know the history of your benefits? We’ve put together a quick, 8-question challenge to see if you can match the policy to the president.
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And don’t worry if you miss an answer; you can follow the links below the quiz to brush up on your knowledge of the program and how presidents helped shape the program.
