Discuss the historical development of the Social Security program, noting how it is different from other forms of government programs

What are the long-term problems facing the program, and what solutions offer the greatest chance of solving them?

What will be an ideal response?

An ideal response will
1, Discuss how the Great Depression provided the stimulus for the adoption of the 1935 Social Security Act to provide a steady retirement income stream for elderly Americans.
2, Note that Social Security differs from other government programs in that it provides an entitlement benefit in addition to differing in the funding for the benefit (payroll taxes).
3, Discuss how the program has expanded both in terms of the number of people eligible and the amount of benefits received.
4, Discuss how changing demographics have created the potential for a revenue shortfall for the trust funds.
5, Discuss mechanisms to solve that problem, including raising the retirement age, reducing benefits paid out, and increasing payroll taxes, and make an argument for which is preferable and why.
6, Provide a clear and concise conclusion.