AARP Hearing Center
Harrisburg, PA — Governor Josh Shapiro has officially proclaimed August 14, 2025, as ‘Social Security Day’ in Pennsylvania, recognizing the program’s enduring impact on the lives of Pennsylvanians and Americans nationwide.
Social Security helps older Americans stay out of poverty and live with dignity after a lifetime of hard work. Signed into law in 1935, the Social Security Act has provided a foundation of financial stability for retirees, individuals with disabilities, and surviving spouses and families for nine decades. Today, more than 2.9 million Pennsylvanians rely on Social Security to help meet essential needs such as housing, food, and health care.
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“Social Security has stood the test of time, offering dignity, independence, and peace of mind to generations,” said AARP Pennsylvania State Director Bill Johnston-Walsh. “As we mark this historic milestone, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting and strengthening this vital program for the future.”
The program also plays a significant role in Pennsylvania’s economy, generating nearly $62.8 billion annually in economic activity. Social Security beneficiaries spend this steady income on essentials, fueling local businesses, supporting jobs, and generating tax revenue through a powerful ripple effect.
With the proclamation, Governor Shapiro urged all Pennsylvanians to reflect on the importance of Social Security and support efforts to ensure its continued strength for generations to come.
“Pennsylvania has one of the fastest growing older adult populations in the country, and by 2030, one in three Pennsylvanians will be over the age of 60,” said Governor Josh Shapiro. “That’s why Social Security is so critical here in the Commonwealth, where it supports more than 20 percent of our neighbors and generates nearly $62.8 billion every year in economic activity. From their first paycheck to their last, older Pennsylvanians put in decades of hard, honest work, and they deserve the peace of mind and financial security Social Security brings. This lifesaving program complements my Administration’s work to protect and invest in older adults, from a strategic 10-year aging plan to specialized support for unpaid caregivers to our work in returning historic amounts of property tax rebates to seniors. As we celebrate this major milestone, we must also reaffirm our commitment to protecting and strengthening Social Security for generations to come.”
To learn more about AARP’s efforts to protect Social Security, visit aarp.org/socialsecurity
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