The biggest reason behind changes to the Social Security Act (in 1939) was to make sure this program helped more people in American society. One of the amendments made to the Social Security Act was the implementation of survivor benefits. If a person was to die unexpectedly and had paid into the system, family members would be able to receive the money owed to that person who passed away unexpectedly.
Besides survivor benefits, retired workers collecting Social Security could set up a payment system where their children or spouse received money as well. All of these changes lead to Social Security having a more positive affect on the American family as a whole.