The growing number of older persons in our society is accompanied by many obvious benefits (e.g., extended retirement and leisure years, more time with grandchildren and great-grandchildren). But, the phenomenon has also been attended by economic and societal challenges. The concept of retirement, pensions and public assistance for the elderly is a relatively new one, advanced in the United States most prominently by the Social Security Act of 1935 (1), the first major legislation on behalf of the elderly in this country. (read more…)
(1) Social Security History: (www.ssa.gov/history/history.html)