Legal Definitions - Social Security

Social Security is a program created by the government to provide security to individuals and families in case of unforeseen catastrophes. It spreads certain risks among all members of society so that no single family bears the full burden of such occurrences.

In the United States, the Social Security Program was created in 1935 to provide old age, survivors, and disability insurance benefits to workers and their families. This means that if someone has worked for a certain amount of time and made contributions to the program, they and their family can receive benefits if they become disabled, retire, or if the wage earner dies. For example, if someone has worked for 10 years and then becomes disabled, they can receive monthly benefits to help them financially.

The program is administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and is closely linked to the Medicare program, which provides health insurance to people over 65 years old or with certain disabilities.

Financial need is not a requirement to receive benefits, but there are certain eligibility criteria that must be met. For example, if someone earns a substantial amount of money, they may not be eligible for certain benefits like disability insurance. Additionally, state law may govern some family relationship issues that may affect eligibility for benefits, such as the validity of a marriage.

Overall, Social Security is designed to provide a safety net for individuals and families in times of need.