The following are facts about FICA, commonly known as Social Security, in the United States:
* August 14, 1935: Signed into law by President F. D. Roosevelt.
* January 1937: First payments made which were a one-time, lump-sum payment.
* January 31, 1940: Ida Fuller became the first person to receive a monthly payment, which began for her at $22.54. (Worth today $518.58)
* October 1950: The first cost of Living increase was made.
* July 1, 1966: Medicare first began.
8* July 1975: The first automatic COLA increases began.
* December 8, 2003: The prescription drug benefit began.
* January 1, 2006: Medicare Part D, began.
NOTE: Thanks to AARP Bulletin, May/June 2025 for all of the above information.