State landmarks, including Niagara Falls, to be lit for 90th anniversary of Social Security

Press Release 

Gov. Kathy Hochul today announced the lighting of state landmarks on Aug. 14 to honor the 90th anniversary of Social Security, a bedrock federal economic security program that provides financial protection for older adults, individuals with disabilities, and families in New York and nationally.

“A great New Yorker and former governor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, signed Social Security into law 90 years ago, creating a safety net for generations to come,” Hochul said. “I am proud to help safeguard and build upon this legacy for older adults and people of all ages in New York state, because your family is my fight.”

Roosevelt signed Social Security into law on Aug. 14, 1935, to “give some measure of protection to the average citizen and to his family against the loss of a job and against poverty-ridden old age,” the president stated.

According to the Social Security Administration, more than 3.7 million New Yorkers receive Social Security benefits, amounting to $81.9 billion annually. In New York, this includes: retirement benefits to over 2.8 million retired workers and nearly 161,000 spouses and children; survivors benefits for nearly 290,000 individuals; and disabilities benefits to approximately 422,000 disabled workers (as well as 66,000 spouses and children). For many of these individuals, Social Security is the only or primary source of income to pay for food, bills, gas, car insurance, and other needs.

The governor has been outspoken in her defense of Social Security against federal changes that would hamper access to benefits, joining Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand earlier this year to condemn Trump administration efforts to close Social Security field offices and cut staff who assist beneficiaries.

Social Security is primarily funded through a dedicated payroll tax. Benefits are determined based on an individual's lifetime earnings, years worked, and other factors.

It is just one way that New Yorkers are contributing to the social safety net and economy as they age. According to the New York State Office for the Aging:

•Adults 50-plus in New York are responsible for approximately $1.8 trillion in federal, state and local taxes (2018), a figure that will quadruple by 2050.

•Adults 50-plus in New York are 36% of the population, yet support about 43% of federal tax revenue ($1.4 trillion) and 37% of state and local tax revenue nationwide ($650 billion).

•Adults 50-plus in New York contribute $72 billion in state and local taxes (39% of total), a contribution that will triple to $255 billion by 2050.

This year marks several historical milestones for federal safety-net programs supporting older adults and families. In addition to the 90th anniversary of Social Security, 2025 is the 60th anniversary of the Older Americans Act, Medicaid and Medicare. It is also a banner year in furthering the advancement of programs, policies and investments to strengthen New York’s status as the first designated Age Friendly State.

In the fiscal year 2026 state budget, Hochul announced the state's largest-ever investment in services for older adults through NYSOFA, providing an increase of $52 million, including $45 million to address locally determined needs for services, coupled with a $5 million increase for a cost-of-living-adjustment for aging services and other investments. These investments in services for older adults is part of a broader affordability agenda for older adults and families, including middle class tax cuts for joint filers up to $323,000 per year, inflation rebates ($300 for single taxpayers and $500 for joint filers) to help address the cost of living for older adults and families, and expansion of the child tax credit.

Hochul also recently issued the final report for the state's first-ever master plan for aging, a comprehensive blueprint of over 100 proposals designed to help individuals age with dignity, independence and the support they need and deserve to thrive.

In honor of the 90th anniversary of Social Security, landmarks including Niagara Falls will illuminate red, white and blue tonight.