Ninety years ago, on August 14, 2035, our country made a promise—to provide hardworking Americans with a foundation for financial security in retirement. This year marks the 90th anniversary of Social Security— a cornerstone of financial security in America. To celebrate this remarkable achievement, AARP Nevada is hosting “Washoe Celebrates: A Toast to Social Security” on August 14, 2025 at the Sierra Arts Foundation, 17 S. Virginia Street, Reno 89501 from 4-7pm. Join us for appetizers and a champagne toast. Raise your glass and hip, hip, hurray for Social Security!

 Social Security is one of the most successful and popular initiatives in history. For nine decades, Social Security has kept hundreds of millions of Americans out of poverty and given families across the country peace of mind and dignity after a lifetime of hard work. https://www.ssa.gov/onlineservices/ 

This year, AARP is proudly honoring that legacy—and doubling down on more than 60 years of fighting to protect and strengthen Social Security for older Americans today, and for our kids and grandkids tomorrow. AARP is working with leaders from both parties—including President Trump, and Republicans and Democrats in Congress—because protecting and strengthening Social Security isn’t a partisan issue, it’s an American priority.

With every paycheck, both workers and employers pay their Social Security taxes to the trust fund that is managed by the Treasury Department who holds these accumulated funds and invests in securities guaranteed by the federal government. Today, nearly 69 million older Americans receive Social Security payments, and over 183 million workers are paying into the system. 

 And over its nine decades, it has never missed a payment. But there is growing concern about how long full payments can be made and much debate on ways to strengthen the program. According to the 2025 Social Security Trustees’ Report, the combined Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) and Disability Insurance (DI) Trust Fund reserves are projected to be depleted in 2034. This means that in 2034, if no action is taken, the program will only be able to pay approximately 81% of scheduled benefits. Proposed remedies include raising the maximum amount of wages subject to the payroll tax, broadening the tax base, raising the payroll tax rate, raising the retirement age, changing the benefit formula or adjusting cost-of-living increases. 

This 90th Anniversary isn’t just a celebration – it’s a time for reflection and a look towards the future. Right now, Social Security is still doing what it was built to do. It’s up to us to make sure it’s there for the next 90 years—because we’ve earned it and so has everyone in America who continues to work and pay into the program. So, after you’ve raised your glass and cheered this program that helps so many elders pay their bills and cover their expenses, contact your representatives in Washington, DC (Sen. Rosen 202-224-6244, Sen. Cortez-Masto 202-224-3542, Rep. Amodei 202-225-3121) and tell them about your views on the best way to keep Social Security paying full payments to all. Ask them to work across the aisle and vote on a plan to do just that as soon as possible. 

I hope to see you on August 14. For more information, please contact me at 775-240-2745 or donnanorm1@yahoo.com.