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Social Security Benefits

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Social security has been a big part of our nation since 1935 when the great depression plagued our nation. Social security is an independent trust fund and has been since its creation. 1 Social Security Benefits cannot be given out to anyone who hasn't paid into it. No one can receive it as welfare or other types of governmental assistance. 1 Many people think that Congress takes money out of the Social Security fund and irresponsibly uses it. The truth is, congress is using it how they are supposed to be. They are using it to pay people their owed social security benefits and other important government programs. Although the federal debt may be high and respect for congress may be low, they are using it as they should. 2 III. Changes in …show more content…

Originally, it only covered people working in the commerce and industry. If said person died, their husbands or wives (usually wives) and children could not collect their benefits. No matter how high or low of benefits were racked up. Over time, this started to change, by 1939, spouses and young children of those who have passed could receive uncollected benefits. 4 In 1940, the financing of social security changed mildly but it made a big difference. There was now a trust fund and a difference in size of the financial reserves so how the social security benefits were disbursed was handled much better. Retired workers could now receive their benefits much faster and the social security tax rate was postponed to 1942. Social security did not see any more big changes until 1950 when coverage was extended to numerous workers in industries that were previously not covered for Social Security Benefits. They continued to extend benefits to different kinds of workers for the next five years; by 1955 90% of workers were available to receive Social Security Benefits. Another big thing that happened in the 1950 was the new benefits that were extended to people with disability. At the beginning of the program, only people 50 years and older were able to collect benefits. Over the course of the 1950's though, the stringent laws were lessened and more people could rece--ive the disability …show more content…

Prior to this year, many people above the age of 65 were applying for government assistance because they could not handle their medical bills, the bills were just too high. So congress evaluated what they could do and in 1965 they passed the Medicare bill. Those 65 years and older could receive the benefits and this helped immensely to cover hospital bill costs. Over 56 million people today now receive Social Security benefits. Medicare and Social Security are two interconnected government systems that typically serve the same people. Medicare premiums can directly affect how much social security you're getting and many Americans in 2011 saw their social security increase when their Medicare premiums changed. The dates you signed up and if you were a wealthier beneficiary determined how much your premium and social security income changed. Medicare is handled through the two trust fund accounts; Hospital Insurance (HI) Trust Fund and Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI) Trust Fund. The HI is funded by payroll taxes, income taxes, and premiums. It pays for Medicare Part A and Medicare administration. The SMI is funded with authorization from congress and from Medicare premiums. It pays for Part B and D benefits, and Medicare

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