The Social Security Act was created during the term of the 32nd president of the USA, Franklin Roosevelt. The act was signed into law and adopted by Congress in 1935. This made Franklin Roosevelt the first president of the US to advocate federal assistance for the elderly. Due to the the economic situation in the country in the depression era, many groups of people and individuals called for the financial assistance for the old, poor and the ones in need.

Every legal resident of the USA (there are some exceptions) must have an individual Social Security number to get a job. Workers pay special taxes, and their money goes to the special fund from which pensions and other benefits are paid. Social Security program provides such benefits as retirement income, disability income, income for survivors.

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