"Social Security, public programs designed to provide income and services to individuals in the event of retirement, sickness, disability, death, or unemployment." (Encarta online Encyclopedia).
On June 8th 1934, Franklin D. Roosevelt announced to the nation his intentions to introduce a Social Security program. Roosevelt then brought in five members of his cabinet level officials to study the United States and its economic insecurity so that he could use that information to persuade congress with. This committee was called the Committee on Economic Security. They were responsible for developing and writing the report that would be given to congress so they could see a detailed legislative proposal. The report gave President Roosevelt what he needed to proceed with sending the bill to congress to be voted on. In January 1935 he introduced the bill to both the House of Representatives and the Senate at the same time. The bill was passed by a large majority in both houses. The Social Security Act was finally made a law in August 1935 by President Roosevelt. Along with this act there were several provisions for general welfare. But the Act created a social insurance program that would pay retired workers, 65 years of age or older a continuing income after retirement. .
"We can never insure one hundred percent of the population against one hundred percent of the hazards and vicissitudes of life, but we have tried to frame a law which will give some measure of protection to the average citizen and to his family against the loss of a job and against poverty-ridden old age." President Roosevelt upon signing Social Security Act. .
The Social Security program has never been a flawless one. Since the introduction of the program in 1935 it has been modified more than 20 times by major amendments. Still to this day there are struggles within this system. This program still hasn't achieved everything that its initial intentions were supposed to do.
