social security

[soh-shuhl si-kyoor-i-tee]

noun

1. Usually Social Security a program of old-age, unemployment, health, disability, and survivors insurance maintained by the U.S. federal government through compulsory payments by specific employer and employee groups.

2. the theory or practice of providing economic security and social welfare for the individual through government programs maintained by funds from public taxation.

social security

noun

1. public provision for the economic, and sometimes social, welfare of the aged, unemployed, etc, esp through pensions and other monetary assistance

2. (often capitals) a government programme designed to provide such assistance

Word History and Origins

Origin of social security¹

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

The order also sets new requirements to ensure that noncitizens don’t vote, and enlists the Justice Department and the commissioner of Social Security in efforts to find ineligible voters.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The directive noted exemptions to Medicare, Social Security benefits and assistance provided directly to individuals.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Yet the New Deal stabilized the financial system, created Social Security, legalized collective bargaining and built public infrastructure, blazing the path for another capitalist boom during and after World War II.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Don’t miss: ‘Today is my 61st birthday’: I have my ex-spouse’s Social Security benefits.

Read more on MarketWatch

“In cases where there isn’t an estate, the IRS generally won’t be able to collect the tax bill. You must file a final tax return if you would have been obligated to file a tax return if you were alive. Your surviving spouse or the representative of your estate can file the return. If you die and your only income for that year was Social Security, no one needs to file a final return for you.”

Read more on MarketWatch