I.

Introduction

Social Security, public programs designed to provide income and services to individuals in the event of retirement, sickness, disability, death, or unemployment. In the United States, the term social security refers specifically to the programs established in 1935 under the Social Security Act. In particular, it refers to the social insurance portion of that act, which uses contributions made by workers and employers to provide income to people and their families during retirement or in the case of involuntary unemployment, disability, or death.