A RICHER LIFE FOR AMERICANS 65+
THANKS TO SOCIAL SECURIT Y
WHY SOCIAL
SECURITY
STILL MATTERS
It helps millions of Americans
stay above the poverty line
54.8%
are in no
danger of
poverty
When Franklin D. Roosevelt
signed the Social Security Act in
1935, he called it “a law that will
take care of human needs.” And
for 75 years, starting in the depths
of the Great Depression, when
more than half of elderly Ameri-
cans couldn’t support themselves,
this coverage has provided an
economic safety net for retired
and disabled workers and
their dependents. Today more
than 50 million people receive
monthly checks; at least a third
of those recipients would live in
poverty if not for Social Security.
35.5%
are out of
poverty
because
of Social
Security
POVERTY LINE
WHO GE TS BENEFITS?
Spouses
5%
8%
Children
8%
Widows, widowers, and parents
15%
Workers with disabilities
9. 7 %
are in
poverty
64%
Retired workers
HOW AMERICANS
65+ FUND THEIR
RETIREMENT 89%
Have pensions and
retirement savings
44%
Have Social Security
