SOCIAL SECURITY POLICY IN THE UNITED STATES

Social Security Policy is the root of many states and federal programs that was developed to provide income security to the families of the United States. Creation of this policy was facilitated by many historical problems for example, the number of American people whose only source of income was wage, increased as the nation industrialized hence forcing them, to depend less on the structures that were family-based, such as   farm economy.

Unemployment rates increased widely and the wage income was so volatile. On the other hand, most people lost their wages due to death, disability and retirement and this was considered as a problem that was not sufficiently dealt with, by the industrial economy structures. As a result of these problems, interest of implementation of Social Insurance grew both academically and politically. This was to curb income volatility while in the labor-market fields and insure people against fluctuations.

The Social Security Policy got assignation into law in 1935. It was developed by cabinet level groups and the economy security committees. It was formed on various bases that is, the role of the government following this development was to provide income security by provision of insurance to unemployment and old-age people as well as helping families with programs such as (AFDC) for Dependent children.

Although the creation of this program was speeded up by the Great Depression, committees also showed their great commitments in the development of this act. During early 1880s, there was a program of social security that had been built by the Germans which required worker’s contributions and it provided benefits for old age, maternity and for sickness. The significant period of urbanization and industrialization in the United States, also preceded the Social Insurance advents. In 1880 the nonfarm and farm worker’s population had already gained an equal balance of workforce.

The goals of the Social Security that were amended in 1939 are to some degree the platform on basis where Social Security debates lies. An example of an act that was provided was the benefits of retirements that was to be provided monthly to those people that had attained 60 years and above and did not work anymore. The formula of this benefit was to be based on wages that were cumulative and by also covering half of the jobs in the United States. These included both industrial and commercial employments. Even though the enactment of this law was carried out at the midst of great depression, it originally led to small benefits that were relatively envisioned, and for several years they were not payable.  However, the formula of this preceding benefit did not operate since the amendments’ that were passed out in 1939 and this therefore, was not termed legal.

These Social Security policies that were provided were just and democratic since they administered the problems of all people irrespective of age, gender and race, for example, wives of the retired people were also provided with the retirement benefit if they attained at least 65 years. This therefore, served as a great social equality among people. The amendment that was enacted for both employers and employees also showed a great balance of equality. This policy was meant where both of their benefits i.e. employers and employees could be financed largely payroll taxes (Hothersall & Bolger (2010).

There is consistence in the value of social work as insurances such as unemployment insurance proceeds up to present. The forerunner (AFDC) is also currently the assistance that is temporal for the programs of assistance to needy families. The original act that provided support that was federal for the assistance programs of old age in the United States, have currently been transformed into the social security incomes programs. Changes in the structure of the families and individuals’ benefits also, have led to development of social lives up to date.

Following the feasibility of this policy, there are many underlying outcomes that were contributed by amendment of various programs. The program provided relief to families by providing them with job opportunities and offering retirements benefits to the old. The policy also dealt with the political crises that occurred during the era of its enactment and as well as the period of great depression (Johansson-Hiken, 2015). Gross Domestic shares were also increased from 3-5 percent. In the 1970, the policy also served as a great representation of the most historical programs, as these programs led to freelance in airing concerns about the program’s finances.

Economically, Social Security led to growth that was additional especially when the health insurance was provided. This was facilitated by creation of health program that was referred to as the Medicare. This policy also brought about great effects by creating programs costs annually. Following the website on social security funds of the United States, (2015), Old and disabled people were also provided with the opportunities to work in accordance to the Social security programs.

United States however, come up with the legal rules and principles that would govern these policies, the same rules that are followed whenever there is amendment of laws.  The history of this program provides insights to debates that occur today and they take place as a result of returns on contributions of payrolls, benefit adequacy and the systems of financing. On the other hand, Policy makers for these programs are faced with challenges in which solutions offered by these programs such as low tax rates for payrolls are not options anymore.

References

Hothersall, S., & Bolger, J. (2010). Social policy for social work, social care and the caring professions. Farnham: Ashgate.

Johansson-Hidén, B. (2015). Discourses on municipal protection and safety work prior to the introduction of the ‘Civil Protection Act against Accidents’ and five years later. Safety Science, 76, 1-11. doi:10.1016/j.ssci.2015.02.005

Social Security Programs in the United States. (n.d.). Retrieved May 3, 2015, from http://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/progdesc/sspus/index.html