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Kalista Bailey
Social Work 203
Professor Everett Anderson
November 4, 2021
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Prior to 1935, America lacked assistance for the elderly and other financially
disadvantaged individuals. The only individuals entitled to benefits following their service were
pensioned veterans. The remaining jobs did not provide any benefits following their service.
Every occupation has a retirement age at which the employee is regarded incapable of making a
constructive contribution to the firm. As a result, employees who reach this position are no
longer considered employees. Unfortunately, if they had not saved money during their duty, they
would end up as beggars. Alternatively, the elderly would eventually become dependents,
particularly if their earnings were inadequate while on active duty. The lucky individuals were
those who had held high-paying occupations and accrued substantial savings while working.
Dependence implies that you rely on your siblings or children to meet your financial obligations.
Franklin Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law in August 1935, enhancing the
quality of life for the aged in society. The Act guaranteed benefits to senior persons in the United
States. As a result, the United States of America became one of the first countries in the world to
establish a system of support for the elderly. In life, there are complicated hurdles associated
with old age; as a result of these difficulties, the majority of individuals avoid aiding the elderly.
The United States stood out as a community that would rather support the elderly than deny them
access to national benefits. (Social Security 2021)
The Act did not apply exclusively to the elderly, but also to other economically
disadvantaged members of society. The 1935 Social Security Act contains eleven distinct titles
that demonstrate support for economically disadvantaged Americans. Only three of them are
applicable to the elderly.
I do not think that this system is sustainable. My mom is 70, and is still working full-time
as a respiratory therapist. She simply cannot live on what Social Security would be giving her. If
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she had placed all that she has paid into Social Security over the 50 years she has worked in a
moderate 401k she could have retired 10 years ago. So I think that the system needs a major
overhaul. There should be other options available to people. I think that if the government were
to start allowing all workers to choose to place some or all of their SS earnings into 401, there
would have to be a cut off age where the current plan would be used by the people getting ready
to retire, might be a fiscally sound plan.
References
Cassella, K. (n.d.). Social Welfare and Policy II. Eastern Gateway Community College.
Social Security. Social Security History. (n.d.). Retrieved November 3, 2021, from
https://www.ssa.gov/history/briefhistory3.html.