social security

American  

[soh-shuhl si-kyoor-i-tee] / ˈsoʊ ʃəl sɪˈkyʊər ɪ ti /

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.

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social security British  

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

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Etymology

Origin of social security

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

It will also favor workers overall, they argue—the country’s rigid labor laws have forced some 40% of Argentina’s workers to operate in the informal economy, without contracts or social security.

From The Wall Street Journal

The “huge inequality within the boomer generation itself” means “some have paid-off homes and strong portfolios. Others rely almost entirely on Social Security and have very little margin for error,” Juan G. HernandezAriano, a financial planner and principal at WealthCreate, told MarketWatch.

From MarketWatch

In this week’s State of the Union address, the president pointedly said: “Under this administration, we will always protect Social Security and Medicare.”

From MarketWatch

Many of them paid in — using fake Social Security numbers — but could not claim benefits when they retired.

From MarketWatch

Meanwhile, as recently reported by MarketWatch’s Jessica Hall, the Congressional Budget Office also recently issued a new warning about Social Security.

From MarketWatch