Social Security

History of Social Security Social Security, the single largest federal government program today, addresses poverty among the elderly. Social Security is a entitlement program in which income is redistributed across age groups, everyone contributes and later expects to benefit at retirement. Because of this Social Security is viewed more favorable than public welfare programs (Kraft, Furlong, 2015).

History Of Social Security The Social Security Act was passed in 1935 to create financial protection for workers as they aged. The program is called Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Program (OASDI), but commonly known as Social Security ( Segal, Brzuzy, 1998). Social Security was designed to provide income for workers after retirement and coverage for family members if the worker died (Segal, Brzuzy, 1998).

History of Social Security (Incrementalism) 1956, Disability coverage was added. 1965, Health insurance through the Medicare program was added. 1972, the supplemental Security Income program was developed to consolidate and expand services to low-income seniors and low-income people with disabilities.

History of Social Security (Incrementalism) 1996, The state took control over the AFDC program from the federal government, and the name was changed to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program (Segal, Brzuzy, 1998). Incrementalism theory- Policies that are developed through small changes to policies in existence.

Impact on Diverse Populations The Social Security is race indifferent, individuals of different races with identical economical and family situations are all treated the same, However, individuals in identical situations have different earnings and life expectancies than whites, which effects the benefits that minorities receive under the Social Security system, according to Office of Policy, Social Security Administration.

Impact on Diverse Population Social Security plays a larger role in retirement income for minorities that for whites because minorities have fewer other resources such as pensions and assets. Minorities who have lower earnings (Hispanics and Blacks), benefit from the progressive benefit formula, and those with shorter life expectancies(blacks) benefit from the disability and survivors benefits (Hendley, Bilimoria, 1999).

Social Security Reform Effects on Women, Minorities, and lower-Income Workers Proposed Partial Privatization shifts the investment risk from federal government to individual workers. Proposed Partial Privatization involves the pre-funding of benefits Missouri Law Review, 65. 2000

Effects on Partial Privatization Proposals Would decrease minorities and low-wage workers benefits disproportionately because of their inability to contribute to their individual accounts while disabled, Women are less likely to receive disability benefits than men, and women who rely solely husband’s earnings for social Security are also likely to receive less because of the structuring of the Partial Privatization Proposal. Missouri Law Review, 65, 341.

Annotated Bibliography Elizabeth A. Segal, Stephanie Brzuzy. Public Welfare Policy, Programs, and Practice Itasca, Illinois: Peacock Publishers, 1998. 150 – 153. Print. This texts covers social welfare and the policies as well as describing the policy analysis and practices. The book helps students understand what drives social welfare policy and how it affects people’s lives and ways to influence it.

Kraft, E. Michael, Furlong, R. Scott Kraft, E. Michael, Furlong, R. Scott. Public Policy: Politics, Analysis, and Alternatives. Sage Publications, 5 (2015). Print. The authors have provided an overview of the history of public policy as well as discuss the goals of public welfare in American, that will serve as a base for understanding social welfare.

Hendley, A. Alexa, Bilmoria, F. Natasha Hendley, A. Alexa, Bilmoria, F. Natasha. Policy Paper: Minorities and Social Security, An Analysis of Racial and Ethnic Differences in The Current Program. Volume 62. No.2 Office of Retirement Policy, Office of Policy, Social Security Administration. (1999). These policy papers explain the differences and the affects of the Social Security benefits for the diverse populations.

Moore, L. Kathryn. Partial Privatization of Social Security: Assessing Its Effects On Women, Minorities, And Lower-Income Workers. Cite as : 65 Mo. L. Rev. 341. Spring 2000. There have been many proposals and attempts towards Social Security Reform. This Article explains why partial reform would hinder rather than help women, minorities and low-income workers. The article explains what and why this proposal differs from the current system.

Mechanic, David, Tanner, Jennifer Mechanic, David, Tanner, Jennifer. Vulnerable People, Groups, And Populations: Societal View. ( New Jersey: Rutgers University, 2007). The article explains vulnerable as it relates to the disadvantage population , and how society views the vulnerable as victims or sinners and which is entitled to