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

“The money is tax-free and does not affect our income, which comes from investments and Social Security.”

From The Wall Street Journal

These borrowers face the harshest consequences of the student-loan system, including having their Social Security checks, tax refunds and paychecks seized.

From MarketWatch

When interacting with any large language model, Racca said, make sure you don’t upload Social Security numbers, passwords, tax documents or any other information that could expose your identity or give access to your financial accounts.

From MarketWatch

The gap between what the Scottish government spends on social security and what it receives from the UK Treasury as a result of equivalent spending south of the border is forecast to be £1.1bn in 2026-27, rising to £1.2bn by 2030-31.

From BBC

The overall social security bill is forecast to rise to £9.2bn by then.

From BBC