The Misunderstood Nature of Social Security Entitlements Among Seniors
As previously mentioned, only certain individuals receiving Social Security benefits have never paid into the system. For example, aged spouses age 62 or older, widows age 60 or older or 50 if disabled, or widows of any age caring for children of the deceased that are under 16 years old and surviving minor children up to age 18 or 19 if still in high school full time. These individuals are entitled to these benefits by law, serving as a protection for the workers and their families and is guaranteed in the Social Security Act. Somewhere along the line, the term entitlements began to take on a negative connotation, but this couldn't be further from the truth.
Entitlements and Social Security Benefits
If one is referring to people and children who have never worked and are blind or disabled, along with adults over 65 who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, those benefits are managed by Social Security for the convenience of the public. The SSI program was previously administered by the states using welfare grants to aged and disabled indigents. It is based not only on disability but also on the income and resources of the individual, their spouse if married and living together, or in the case of a child, the income and resources of the parents in the home. Medical determinations are the same as for Social Security disability, leading to the decision to place SSI under the full administration of the Social Security Administration (SSA) effective January 1, 1974.
My Personal Experience with Social Security
The money to pay SSI payments and administer the program comes from general tax revenues, not Social Security funds. There are claims that Social Security is a Ponzi scheme. If this is what one believes, so be it. However, after over 30 years immersed in the inner workings of the Social Security Administration, I was proud every day to assist the public with vital information and benefits. The sight of a young mother who had lost her husband, finding out that she and her babies qualified for survivor benefits and breaking down in tears of relief and gratitude was all the reward I needed. The necessity and impact of this program are clear.
Necessary Savings for Retirement
It is important to note that while Social Security is a crucial safety net, it is not meant to replace one's salary. Indeed, President Franklin D. Roosevelt was never aiming for this to be the case. As we move forward, it is important for individuals to have additional savings for retirement. However, Social Security continues to be a vital component of the safety net for many Americans.
Does this adequately address the question?