Social Security - What You Need to Know

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Social Security is one of the government systems that helps people who have insufficient or no income by giving them financial support. It also supports the retirees and families of disabled or deceased workers, making it one of the largest programs offered by the government to its society. The benefits produced by this government service has different forms that target the basic needs of the eligible beneficiaries. This federal program commenced in 1935 when the Social Security Act was signed. It was President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal plan to help the significant groups of people who suffered through the Great Depression. Per the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 22: “Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international cooperation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social, and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.” Social Security is in the form of pay-as-you-go-program. In today’s era, the fund used for the program comes from the payroll taxes paid by the employees and companies. It means that current employees and their employers pay for Social Security while the workers still can work. The Social Security Administration will collect the payment and put it in the Social Security Trust Fund. The government, on the other hand, is responsible for managing the money along with the Federal Reserve Board. In the future when the workers retire, or an accident causes them to die or get sick, they will get that money they paid for the program through the form of monthly income that will be given to their beneficiaries. Every individual who has the Social Security will be given a nine-digit Social Security number. It serves as the record of the owner’s history that collects all his or her information about covered wages and other earnings. In the future, the government will use it as a basis when he or she needs to get the benefits. Some programs of the government that help the poor also receive a portion of the revenues from the collected money. It is worth noting that Social security is not just limited to monetary assistance given to people. It was declared that people should receive benefits from the country such as sufficient supply of foods, safe and comfortable shelter, and access to healthcare assistance. It targets the large group of people ranging from children, elderly, unemployed, disabled, and the sick. Social services are organizations or programs that make these services reachable. Furthermore, it may also be given in the form of social insurance, whereas, the benefits that poor people receive should include retirement programs such as disability insurance, pensions, unemployment, unemployment assistance, and survivor benefits. It may also cover the necessities provided to refugees such as money, shelter, food, education, and medical care. The government is also responsible for designating its particular agency to implement these social security provisions.