Social Security (United States)

High school (ages 12+)
People & Society

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/social-security--united-states-

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the enacted?August 14, 1935, as part of the Social Security Act
2. What is the administered by?The Social Security Administration (SSA)
3. What is Social Security in the United States?Social Security is a program run by the U.S. government that gives people money when they retire, lose a loved one, or have a disability. It helps them live comfortably even if they can't work.
4. Why was Social Security created in 1935?It was started in 1935 during the Great Depression because many older people had no savings or family help. The government wanted to make sure everyone had some money when they got older.

Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI): The official designation for the comprehensive Social Security program in the United States.
Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA): The U.S. federal law requiring employers and employees to withhold taxes for Social Security and Medicare.
Trust Fund Reserves: Accumulated surplus funds in the Social Security trust funds, used to cover benefit payments when tax revenues are insufficient.
Taxable Maximum Earnings: The highest amount of annual earnings subject to Social Security payroll taxes.