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 government also has extraordinary power to collect on the loans, including by taking borrowers’ Social Security benefits, tax refunds and wages — but borrowers may not experience those consequences until they’re actually making enough money for the government to claw away.

From MarketWatch

The Social Security Administration does have something called the “family maximum,” which is the amount it will pay out to family members such as a spouse and children using one person’s record, but that limit does not apply here.

From MarketWatch

“Payments to ex-spouses don’t count toward the family maximum,” according to the Social Security Administration.

From MarketWatch

I believe he could collect on my Social Security.

From MarketWatch

Can she still collect, when the time comes, on my husband’s Social Security now that she is divorced again?

From MarketWatch