Social Security and the Elderly Free Essay Example, 2750 words

The present research has identified that social security reform has never taken specific aim at the elderly and may account for the current status of impoverished elderly Americans. While there is a strong commitment at all levels of US government to provide human services to help needy Americans from all walks of life, statistics reveal that most of the efforts have not been productive among the elderly. Social Security is the primary method for assisting the needy in the US. Under the current law with respect to US social security, social security is predicated on the theory that assistance is necessary for maintaining a fair quality of life for those who cannot earn incomes on account of age, death or disability. To this end, previous workers who have either reached the age of retirement or have become disabled are entitled to Social Security benefits that corresponds with how long they have worked and how much they previously earned. The spouses and children of those entitl ed to Social Security benefits are also eligible for Social Security. The elderly continue to remain the largest group to receive Social Security benefits in the US. We will write a custom essay sample on Social Security and the Elderly or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/page Moreover, the current economic crisis has even greater significance for increased poverty among the elderly having regard to the heavy reliance on social security.