The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM Union) marked the 90th anniversary of Social Security with a renewed pledge to support and strengthen the program for American workers. In a statement released on August 14, 2025, Brian Bryant, International President of the IAM Union, addressed the continued importance of Social Security for working families.
“On the 90th anniversary of Social Security, the IAM Union is reaffirming its commitment to protecting and strengthening the program that millions of working families rely on. Since its inception in 1935, Social Security has lifted millions of older Americans out of poverty and given workers the peace of mind that they can retire with dignity,” Bryant said.
Bryant noted that while Social Security has remained dependable through economic downturns, changes in retirement savings trends have made it increasingly vital. He pointed to fewer traditional pension plans and stagnant wages as factors contributing to many workers relying heavily on Social Security as their main source of income after retirement.
“Social Security has stood the test of time, proving to be a rock-solid lifeline for America’s working families, even through some of our nation’s most brutal economic times. However, the decline of traditional pension plans and decades of stagnant or falling real wages have made it more complicated than ever for working people to save for retirement. For millions, Social Security is now the largest and sometimes only source of retirement income for working people,” he stated.
Bryant emphasized that IAM members have contributed significantly to both their industries and the Social Security system. He reiterated the union’s ongoing efforts: “Our hardworking IAM members have invested their blood, sweat, and tears into this system, and they deserve more than empty promises. They deserve the guarantee of a secure retirement. The IAM’s legacy of fighting for dignified retirement benefits spans generations, yet the gains we’ve made are still not enough. We will never stop fighting to protect and strengthen Social Security, ensuring it remains a dependable, robust support system for every worker who has given their all to build this nation.”
IAM Union represents about 600,000 active and retired members across multiple industries in North America including aerospace, defense, airlines, railroads, healthcare and automotive sectors throughout both Canada and the United States.
More information about IAM Union can be found at goIAM.org.
