Throughout history, Social Security has been referred to as a welfare program. This statement is far from true. And, oftentimes, this statement can be harmful to the very beneficiaries we should be protecting.

How Calling Social Security Welfare is Harmful

A welfare program is a government program that helps people who would otherwise have a difficult time meeting a “minimal standard of living,” according to Robinhood. In other words, these are programs dedicated to helping those who have nowhere else to turn.

Therefore, by claiming Social Security is a welfare program, those holding political power suggest that senior citizens are unable to survive on their own. That is simply not true.

In fact, many senior citizens choose to continue working, earning some much-needed additional income. But, just because they can earn enough to live on their own, doesn’t mean that they should. Beneficiaries have already dedicated a minimum of 40 years to the workforce–why force them into an endless cycle?

Additionally, current senior citizens have already contributed their hard-earned money to the benefit checks of previous retirees. This is because of the cyclical nature of the Social Security program.

By claiming Social Security is a Welfare program, politicians and other persons of influence suggest that the previous generations’ Social Security survived due to generous donations from those employed.

However, the reality is that the contributions to the previous generations’ Social Security were an investment. Workers agree to contribute to Social Security in order to keep the program running. By keeping the program running, the current working class ensures that they will have a retirement program when they qualify.

How We Are Helping

Senior Security Alliance knows that Social Security is a right earned through years of hard work. By calling Social Security benefits a Welfare program, politicians and government officials discredit this hard work.

That is why we created our bill. The Senior Citizens Bill of Rights is a groundbreaking piece of legislation that guarantees senior citizens more financial security. Additionally, right number 7 of the bill guarantees that senior citizens get proper recognition by refuting all indications that Social Security is Welfare and demanding that those in political power do the same.

That is why we are asking you to help us urge the politicians in Washington to pass this bill and recognize senior citizens as the hard-working, deserving individuals they are.