The Social Security program was established in 1935 to provide retirement income to certain workers. It was later expanded to cover most of the U.S. workforce. Like many large, complex federal programs, it doesn’t get much love: Retirees, politicians and political and financial websites complain about it and point out all of its flaws. But it remains America’s pension plan and the financial lifeline that many people use to stay afloat in their old age.
