Introduction
Social Security is the general term that describes a number of
related programs—retirement, disability, dependents, and
survivors benefits. These programs operate together to provide
workers and their families with some monthly income when their
normal flow of income shrinks because of the retirement, disability, or
death of the person who earned that income.
The Social Security system was initially intended to provide financial
security for older Americans. It was meant to help compensate for
limited job opportunities available to older people in our society.
And it was intended to help bridge the financial gaps created by the
disappearance of the multigenerational family household—a break-up
caused in large measure by the need for American workers to move
around the country to find decent employment.
Unfortunately, this goal of providing financial security is today
increasingly remote. The combination of rapidly rising living costs,
stagnation of benefit amounts, and penalties for older people who
continue to work has made the amount of support offered by Social
Security less adequate with each passing year. This shrinking of the
Social Security safety net makes it that much more important that you
get the maximum benefits to which you are entitled.
This chapter explains how Social Security programs operate in general.
It is helpful to know how the whole system works before determining
whether you qualify for a particular benefit program and how much
your benefits will be. Once you understand the basic premises of Social
Security, you will be better equipped to get the fullest benefits possible
from all Social Security programs for which you might qualify. (See
Chapters 2, 3, and 5.)
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