Social Security Turns 80

About 59 million people received a Social Security benefit in 2014. Social Security is a key source of retirement income for older Americans: about 23 percent of people age 65 and older live in families that depend on Social Security benefits for 90 percent or more of their income. Another 25 percent receive at least half but less than 90 percent of their family income from Social Security. Reliance on Social Security increases with age, with nearly one third of persons aged 80 and older depending on Social Security for 90% or more of family income. In 2013, Social Security kept 33 percent of older Americans out of poverty.

Read the AARP results of a survey as we celebrate the 80th Anniversary of Social Security. The survey found several key themes that are both provocative and interesting to people of all ages: http://www.aarp.org/research/topics/economics/info-2015/social-security-80th-anniversary-report.html.

In addition to the survey, the AARP Bulletin has stories this month about Social Security's history, its future, and what it's doing for Americans today.