Читать книгу Social Security For Dummies - Peterson Jonathan, Jonathan Peterson - Страница 12

So, what is this U.S. institution that — sooner or later — plays a role in virtually all our lives?

You can think of Social Security as a set of protections against things that threaten your ability to survive financially — things like getting older and retiring, or having a serious accident or illness that leaves you unable to work. When such things happen, family members who depend on you may not be able to pay for the basic necessities of life.

That’s why Social Security offers a range of benefits. These protections can provide crucial financial security for workers, their immediate family members, and even divorced spouses. For example, Social Security benefits may go to

 People who retire and their dependents, typically spouses, but potentially children and grandchildren

 People who are disabled and the immediate family members who depend on them

 Spouses, children, and even the parents of breadwinners who die

Social Security’s guaranteed monthly payments, set by legal formulas, stand out in a world of vanishing pensions, risky financial markets, rising healthcare costs, and increasing longevity. Although the program faces a potential financial shortfall in the future, its most fundamental features enjoy broad public support.

In the following sections, I look at specific groups of people who benefit from Social Security.