Final answer:
Federal policies for the older population such as Social Security and Medicare are categorical and universal, providing benefits based on age without means-testing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The majority of federal policies that benefit the elderly population in the United States can be characterized as categorical and universal for all older people, rather than means-tested or noncontributory. Programs such as Social Security and Medicare are the largest components of mandatory federal spending and are designed to provide benefits to individuals based primarily on age criteria.
Both of these programs serve as a form of social insurance rather than a welfare or redistributive approach requiring proof of financial need. As the population ages, programs like these face increased demand, highlighting the ongoing financial challenge of ensuring that revenue sources like payroll taxes can sustain them.