Social Security Act: A Radical Proposal for the Underprivileged - Research Paper

Introduction

The Great Depression resulted in various consequences that necessitated the establishment of radical proposals that would alleviate the most affected populations. The Social Security Act was established in 1935 to ensure that the underprivileged people such as the elderly, unemployed, dependent mothers and children, and victims of industrial accidents are provided with the much-needed benefits (Sidor, 2014). Notably, the Social Security Administration was instituted to develop the structure of the Social Security Act and creates effective logistics that would guarantee its implementation. More significantly, the US social security is largely funded by the contributions emanating from the employers' payrolls and taxes leveled on individuals' wages (Smith & Couch, 2014). Undeniably, the enactment of the Social Security Act was accompanied by different administrative challenges, and the Social Security Board was authorized to coordinate different activities such as registering citizens, control contributions, and distribute benefits to the intended recipients.

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Description of the Problem

Nature of the Problem

Before the enactment of the Social Security Act, many Americans faced economic security, which increased inequality and conflict between the elite and the underprivileged in American society. The aging population and the disadvantaged people relied heavily on charitable organizations and families. During the 19th century, most veterans who were physically disabled in the Civil War together with their widows and orphans were made to apply for a pension for veterans, and there was an immense need to establish a comprehensive policy that would assist such a group of people (Sidor, 2014). Further, the Great Depression resulted in adverse effects on the people, as most of them were left unemployed, and the elderly were the most affected citizens. The effort to establish elder-assistance programs faced different challenges, and this created deep-rooted economic insecurity (Smith & Couch, 2014). Also, many workers disabled as a result of industrial accidents were economically threatened, and there was a need to establish a policy that would enable them to sustain their lives.

Widespread of the Problem

The economic problems faced by the elderly, the unemployed and other underprivileged people in the US resulted in their devastation. The problems were widespread across all states as there were no proper programs that could alleviate them from the resultant economic insecurity. The Great Depression brought social impact to a large group of Americans who were relying on charities and their families to fend for them (Smith & Couch, 2014). Most people glared at unemployment, and there was a significant reduction in hourly wages that inevitably affected their economic stability. Moreover, the increased poverty in most households threatened their survival, and worse still, there was the failure of more than 90, 000 businesses (Sidor, 2014). Understandably, the increased number of the aging population, dependent mothers and children, and the unemployed necessitated the establishment of the policy to guarantee them the much-needed social benefits.

Number of People Affected

Undoubtedly, there was a large population that was affected by the problem. The number of people who were involuntarily discarded from the labor force was estimated to be 15 million, and their lives were severely disrupted (Sidor, 2014). Further, there was a significant increase in the number of people aged 65 and above, and this resulted in the need to create a policy that will provide them with benefits.

People Affected by the Problem

The Industrial Revolution attracted most people to move into cities to seek jobs that were more often than not threatened by recession and lay-offs (Smith & Couch, 2014). Undeniably, this resulted in unemployment and inevitable financial insecurity. Also, the aging American population faced economic challenges, as here were effective programs to guarantee them social benefits (Sidor, 2014). Additionally, victims of industrial accidents were adversely affected as their resultant disability could not allow them to fend for their families. Another affected group was dependent on mothers and children, physically challenged, and the blind who could not solely sustain their lives.

Evidence on the Causes of the Problem

Notably, the unemployment figures increased after the Great Depression, and it was evident that most people were threatened by economic challenges (Smith & Couch, 2014). The recession causes many employers to lay-off the workers that consequently left them devastated. More imperatively, there were many disabled veterans as a result of the Civil War, and that left them economically disadvantaged and required social programs to sustain the lives of their families (Sidor, 2014). Furthermore, the Industrial Revolution was accompanied by work-related accidents that adversely disrupted the lives of the victims, hence the need for comprehensive social benefits.

Policy Description

The Social Security Act of 1935 is expected to create a structured system that would ensure that there is a seamless transfer of benefits to the underprivileged people in society. The policy is expected to work by allowing the Social Security Board to facilitate registration of citizens, ensure the administration of contributions before establishing a coordinated transfer of such payments (Smith & Couch, 2014). The policy will ensure that many workers are brought to the fold, and readjusting taxes and benefits to cope with economic variables such as inflation (Sidor, 2014). Also, the policy is expected to work effectively by expanding the scope of able people and creating a platform where they can contribute towards supporting the underprivileged people in society. More fundamentally, the policy is expected to work through the use of the Social Security card that will track the benefits and earnings of workers.

Undeniably, the Social Security Act of 1935 is expected to provide various opportunities to the people that are within the scope of receiving benefits. The Act will facilitate the creation of an old-age pension program that would be critical in cushioning the elderly against economic challenges after their retirement (Smith & Couch, 2014). Additionally, the policy will create a framework that will guide the establishment of unemployment insurance that will ensure that unemployed people are not subjected to a financial crisis. More importantly, the Act will guarantee financial assistance for disabled people and widows with children to guarantee the sustenance of their lives (Sidor, 2014). Further, the Act will facilitate effective contribution that will ensure that health insurance is provided to the people, and more especially to the victims of industrial accidents.

The people who will be covered by the Social Security Act of 135 are the old-age population. Notably, this aging population will be guaranteed some benefits that will be succinctly outlined in the pension programs where people aged 65 and above are listed to get full benefits (Sidor, 2014). Further, the policy will cover the unemployed people where unemployment insurance is established to guarantee their economic security. Additionally, the physically disabled people and their dependents will be covered by the policy where a pool of resources will be created to facilitate payment of their social benefits. Also, the policy will cover the blind and dependent mothers and children who face economic insecurity (Smith & Couch, 2014). Equally important, the policy will cover victims of industrial accidents by offering health insurance that will ensure that they get quality healthcare that will enable them to become economically productive once again.

The implementation of the Social Security Act of 1935 is premised on the establishment of the Social Security Board that is tasked with the responsibility of administering contributions and coordinating payments of such benefits to the intended groups. More critically, eligibility for the benefits will be established when people have received Social Security cards that indicate earnings and benefits (Sidor, 2014). Still, the policy will be implemented through the establishment of a comprehensive contribution schedule that offers voluntary coverage to federal workers and other nonprofit employees.

The short term goals of the Social Security Act of 1935 are to ensure that the aging population is provided with social benefits that will guarantee the quality and healthy life, especially after their retirement. Moreover, the policy seeks to offer economic security to unemployed individuals who are threatened by the financial crisis. Additionally, the policy aims at creating social benefit program that will cushion the blind, dependent mothers and children, and physically disabled people against economic problems (Sidor, 2014). The long-term goal of the Act is to create a social welfare framework that will ensure that the disadvantaged people are provided with social benefits that can guarantee the sustenance of their lives.

The policy will be lodged under the administrative auspices of providing an elaborate framework that guides the contribution from charitable groups and volunteers. Further, there will be a guideline on how the benefits should be distributed to the disadvantaged people within the society (Smith & Couch, 2014). More significantly, the policy will outline the need coverage of contribution and coordinates the transfer of payments.

The funding mechanism of the policy will be premised on contributions from different groups. Part of the funding will emanate from taxes leveled on the earnings of current employees towards the trust fund that will cushion them from economic challenges when they ultimately retire (Sidor, 2014). Moreover, charitable organizations will play an instrumental role in funding the social welfare programs that will inevitably provide financial assistance to the unemployed and other disadvantaged people in society, such as the blind, dependent individual and physically disabled people.

The Social Security Board was established to ensure that the Act is effectively implemented. The agency was charged with the responsibility of creating a framework that guides the development of social welfare programs for the old-age population and facilitating unemployment compensation for unemployed individuals. The agency will be focused on guaranteeing financial assistance to other underprivileged people in society (Sidor, 2014). More imperatively, the board will evaluate the eligibility of the individuals before advancing payment of benefits. Still, the board will ensure effective coordination of all operations of the Act and ensure that only the intended population is covered by the social welfare programs (Smith & Couch, 2014).

The effectiveness of the Social Security Act of 1935 will be determined by measuring the poverty index and the quality of life of the old-age population. Further, tracking the number of dependent people will be crucial in determining the effectiveness of the policy (Smith & Couch, 2014). Also, evaluation of unemployment compensation payments will be conducted, and general increased quality of life will reflect the effectiveness of the policy.

Since its inception in 1935, the Social Security Act of 1935 is expected to remain in operation for as long it achieves its intended objectives (Sidor, 2014). Undoubtedly, there will always be old-age population and unemployment issues in the society, and the policy is expected to play an integral role in offering the much-needed social benefits. Additionally, the policy will remain operational for a long d...