The Social Security Act (2)

The act reflected a realization that our eco-
nomic system was subject to vacillations that invariably would leave many people without resources because of unemployment. It also acknowledged that older adults needed income security as an incentive to retire. This act was designed to be a permanent resource system administered by the federal government. Its provisions were outlined under three major categories (covered in more depth in chapter 7): social insurance, public assistance, and health and welfare services.