Policy Debate: Will Social Security survive into the 21st
century? Issues and Background [S]ecurity was attained in the
earlier days through the interdependence of members of families
upon each other and of the families within a small community
upon each other. The complexities of great communities and of
organized industry make less real these simple means of
security. Therefore, we are compelled to employ the active
interest of the Nation as a whole through government in order to
encourage a greater security for each individual who composes
it.The Social Security Act of 1935 created a social insurance
program under which retired workers age 65 or older became
eligible for social security payments from the federal
government. Taxes were first collected in 1937 and monthly
social security benefit payments began in 1940 (a single lump-
sum payment was provided to workers who retired during the
period from 1937 to 1939). By the time monthly payments had
begun in 1940, benefits had also been extended to the spous