Final answer:
Social Security was a New Deal program designed to provide a minimum retirement income to elderly Americans. Established by the Social Security Act of 1935, it has become a fundamental part of the U.S. social safety net, although it originally did not cover all workers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Social Security program was a critical piece of legislation enacted during President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, designed to provide a minimum retirement income to elderly Americans.
Through the Social Security Act of 1935, the government established a system to help those who were of retirement age, specifically individuals 65 and older, who may not have had ample savings or income post-employment.
The Act also aimed to address other social welfare needs, including support for the disabled, unemployment insurance, and aid for widows and children. Initially, Social Security did not cover domestic or agricultural workers, leaving significant gaps in protection, especially for women and minority families.
However, the program has undergone expansions over time, and today it is credited with significantly reducing poverty among the elderly.