Social Security Board

Upon the signing of the Social Security Act on August 14, 1935, a three-person Social Security Board was created to run the new program. Although one member was designated as the Chairman, all three members had equal status and each had one vote in Board decisions. The first Chairman of the Board was John Winant (a former Governor of New Hampshire). Winant was Chairman from August 1935 until February 1937. Arthur J. Altmeyer became Chairman of the Board in 1937, until 1946. In 1946 a reorganization took place and the Social Security Board was replaced by the Social Security Administration (SSA), with a single Commissioner as head of the SSA. Arthur J. Altmeyer, the incumbent Chairman of the Board, became the first Commissioner of Social Security. (See information on Social Security Commissioners.)

 Member

Term of Service

From
To
John G. Winant (Chairman)
August 23, 1935*
November 16, 1936
September 30, 1936
February 19, 1937
Arthur J. Altmeyer (Member & Chairman)
August 23, 1935* (Member)
September 30, 1936 (Acting Chairman)
February 19, 1937 (Chairman)
September 30, 1936
November 16, 1936
July 16, 1946
August 23, 1935*
August 14, 1937
August 6, 1937*
July 16, 1946
August 18, 1937*
December 10, 1938
December 30, 1938
July 16, 1946
* Confirmed by Senate

photo of Social Security Board