by Kirk Larson

Social Security Western Washington Public Affairs Specialist

Eighty years ago, on Aug. 14, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law. Here in Washington, Social Security plays a major part in supporting our communities and our economy.

More than 1.25 million people receive monthly payments. Most are retired workers but about 180,000 are disabled workers and 75,000 surviving spouses.

Here are eight trivia questions to test your knowledge of Social Security. The answer is at the bottom of each question.

1. In 1935, what budget was given to the newly created Social Security board?

A. $0

B. $50,000

C. $100,000

D. $250,000

In 1935, the newly created Social Security Board, had no budget with which to begin operations. The proposed budget for the Social Security Administration for fiscal year 2015 is $12.5 billion.

2. What was the original percentage of payroll tax withholding for Social Security?

A. 1 percent

B. 2 percent

C. 3 percent

D. 5 percent

Payroll tax withholding for Social Security began Jan. 1, 1937. The original Social Security contribution rates were 1 percent for the employee and 1 percent for the employer on wages up to $3,000.

In 2015, the contribution rates are 6.2 percent for both the employee and the employer on wages up to $118,500.

3. How many people tried to use the most-used Social Security number of all time?

A. 20

B. 453

C. 1,000

D. 40,000

In 1938, a wallet-manufacturing company included a sample Social Security card in each wallet. The sample card had the actual Social Security number of the company’s vice president’s secretary.

Until the number was voided, more than 40,000 people had attempted to use that Social Security number. Twelve people still were trying to use it as late as 1977.

4. In what year did Social Security begin using computer systems?

A. 1949

B. 1956

C. 1962

D. 1971

On Feb. 27, 1956, Social Security’s first electronic computer system, an IBM 705, posted earnings records, computed benefit amounts and reinstated incorrectly reported earnings.

5. When did the Department of Defense first begin using the Social Security number instead of a serial number to identify military personnel?

A. 1954

B. 1962

C. 1969

D. 1974

In 1969, the Department of Defense began using the Social Security number instead of a military service, or serial, number to identify personnel in the armed forces.

6. How many phone calls have been placed to Social Security’s 800 number?

A. 1.3 billion

B. 2.2 billion

C. 3.4 billion

D. 4.2 billion

Social Security implemented its nationwide 800-number customer service number in October 1988. Since then, there have been more than 2.2 billion phone calls. More than 6,000 employees currently are trained to answer calls.

7. How many possible combinations does the 9-digit Social Security number have?

A. 650 million

B. 724 million

C. 876 million

D. 1 billion

Social Security has issued more than 453 million different Social Security numbers. There are about 1 billion possible combinations of the Social Security number—giving us enough new numbers for future generations.

8. How much money has Social Security paid in benefits?

A. $125 million

B. $40 billion

C. $15.2 trillion

D. $92 trillion

Since it began in 1935, Social Security has collected $18.0 trillion (largely from Social Security taxes paid by workers and employers) and paid out $15.2 trillion in benefits and administrative costs.