Introduction to the Social Security Programs

The Social Security Act of 1935, created during the Great Depression, established a safety net for Americans through programs like retirement income, unemployment insurance, and later, disability and Medicare. Old-Age, Survivor, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) provides retirement benefits, survivor income, and disability payments, while Medicare ensures health coverage for seniors and some disabled individuals. Most workers are covered, though federal employees, certain state and local workers, and children working for parents have some exemptions. Unemployment insurance, jointly administered by states and the federal government, provides temporary support, with claims increasing sharply during recessions such as the Great Recession. To address long-term unemployment in 2008, Congress expanded emergency unemployment benefits, extending coverage up to 33 weeks in high-unemployment states. Federal agencies like the Social Security Administration and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services oversee OASDI and Medicare, while the U.S. Department of Labor works with states to run unemployment insurance. States determine eligibility, benefits, and program details, funded through federal and state payroll taxes. The Act also introduced Social Security numbers in the 1930s to track wages and benefits, which later became widely used beyond employment. Overall, the Social Security system remains a cornerstone of economic security for millions of Americans.