the social security act was enacted august 14 1935 the act was drafted during president franklin d roosevelt s first term by the president s committee on economic security under frances perkins and passed by congress as part of the new dealresident roosevelt signs social security act august 14 1935 standing are rep robert doughton d nc unknown person in shadow sen robert wagner d ny rep john dingell d mi rep joshua twing brooks d pa the secretary of labor frances perkins sen pat harrison d ms and rep david lewis d md