Brian Rohrenbach's passion for Social Security

Brian Rohrenbach was just 12 when his first Social Security check arrived. His father had died unexpectedly, and the Social Security Survivor benefits received by Brian, his sister and mother helped them financially survive their tragic loss.

When Brian became an adult he started paying into the Social Security system through his employment, first farming and later through ag equipment sales and as a chemical transport truck driver. Now at age 85, while receiving his full Social Security benefit, his friends say he “flunked” retirement because until recently he was continuing to help out by hauling fertilizer for a local farmers co-op.

Inspired by President Biden’s State of the Union finesse

In his 2023 State of the Union address, President Biden cleverly got the Republicans to agree that cuts to Medicare and Social Security were off the table in that year’s budget negotiations. He commended them for that. That inspired Brian to take action. He persuaded the Minnesota DFL (Democratic-Farmer-Labor party) to print signs that said “Protect Medicare and Social Security! Vote for Democrats”, with a promise that he would personally deliver them throughout the state.

Delivering signs to every corner of Minnesota

Through the experience of driving 7,000 miles to all parts of the state delivering signs to the homes and farms of loyal Democrats who were enthusiastic about the signs’ message, another inspiration occurred. “Let’s get this message up on a billboard.”

So, Brian reached out to friends and potential donors and described his billboard idea because, as he said, “the Republicans are back with their axe.” The response was so positive that his one billboard turned into 35 billboards in 2024.

That original yard sign project grew to a big project, really big. Billboard Big. Brian tells people, “I don’t want to get to the election and feel like I could have done more.”

Bringing a bipartisan message to Minnesota in 2026

Brian is now shifting his efforts to educating voters and candidates of any (or no) party affiliation on how the Social Security Expansion Act can save Social Security and extend it for the next 75 years. He urges Democrat and Republican voters to demand that their candidates support it now. If nothing is done, the trust fund will run dry in 2033, resulting in dramatic benefit cuts to beneficiaries.

Brian reasons that Social Security is vital to every American, and it’s up to all voters to make sure their candidates and elected officials support the expansion act or come with another solution that can