Social Security

Social Security

Social Security is one of the centerpieces of America's social safety net. It was created in 1935 by the Social Security Act (unemployment insurance and welfare were also instituted by this law).  Social Security is a federally administered and funded insurance program to alleviate poverty among the elderly. Social Security functions as a contributory system wherein workers and their employers contribute taxes to the program throughout their working lives, and are then able to utilize the fund upon retirement. The Social Security Act has been expanded and amended over the years.

Commentary

Lessons from FDR: When the Right Cries Wolf, Bite Back

August 14, 2010

Cry Wolf Quotes

Business and industry are already operating under heavy burdens: and that old –age insurance would cause more unemployment.

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Allen Treadway (R-Mass), the ranking minority member of the Ways and Means committee.

Imagine the vast army of clerks which will be necessary to keep these records.

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Alf Landon, the 1936 Republican nominee for president.

The lash of the dictator will be felt and 25 million free Americans will for the first time submit themselves to a finger print test.

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Representative Daniel Reed (R-NY)

So-called social security [will] mean industrial in-security.

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National Association of Manufacturers, May, 1935.

Related Laws and Rules

Resources

Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) is a progressive think tank that concentrates on social and economic policy, both domestic and international.

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) is a think tank focused on tax and fiscal policy. They provide in-depth analysis of state issues.