social insurance

American  

noun

1. any of various forms of insurance in which a government is an insurer, especially such insurance that provides assistance to disabled or unemployed workers and to aged persons.

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social insurance British  

noun

1. government insurance providing coverage for the unemployed, the injured, the old, etc: usually financed by contributions from employers and employees, as well as general government revenue See also social security national insurance social assistance

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Etymology

Origin of social insurance

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

social insurance

He doesn't know exactly why but visa experts say immigration officials have become more rigorous, demanding more documentation including tax receipts and social insurance premiums.

From Barron's ● Jul. 1, 2026

The platforms also started offering some social insurance programs for delivery workers this year.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 20, 2025

“What they’re essentially contributing to is a national social insurance program,” Shedden said.

From MarketWatch ● Dec. 16, 2025

Prof Doyle argues the UK government would continue to pay the pensions of people in Wales who have contributed to the public purse in taxes and social insurance contributions.

From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2022

Trade unions, trade associations, and social insurance are movements designed to safeguard industry and the worker against the now generally recognized consequences of unlimited competition.

From Introduction to the Science of Sociology by Park, Robert Ezra

Related Words

• social security