What did people do before Social Security?

Before Social Security (1935), people relied on family support, working until they couldn't, private savings, limited company pensions, state/local relief, poorhouses, church aid, or sometimes meager Civil War pensions, but many faced severe poverty, leading to the push for a federal safety net.

What was life like for seniors before Social Security?

Prior to the passage of the Social Security Act, elder poverty in the US was around 2/3rds (it is now around 10%). 25% of American households were multigenerational, so for many elderly, they lived with family members (usually, but not always, with one or more of their children).

How does someone who never worked get Social Security?

Yes, you can get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) without a work history because it's a needs-based program for people who are aged (65+), blind, or disabled, focusing on limited income/resources, not past earnings, unlike SSDI. Eligibility requires meeting strict financial criteria (low income/resources) and having a qualifying medical condition, regardless of employment. 

How did people save for retirement before Social Security?

3. They Put Money in Savings Accounts. Savings accounts have always been the lifeblood of earners who want to bank some of their income. Before Social Security, workers who wanted to provide for their future often had to turn to whatever interest banks would pay on their savings accounts.

How will people live without Social Security?

The poverty rate for the elderly would be four times as high without Social Security and 15 million more seniors would be left struggling to survive; About 33 percent of Americans rely on Social Security for more than 90 percent of their income. This includes 52 percent of Latinos and 45 percent of African Americans.

LIFE BEFORE SOCIAL SECURITY

How much Social Security will I get if I make $60,000 a year?

If you consistently earn $60,000/year over your career, you can expect roughly $2,000 - $2,300 per month at your full retirement age (FRA), but this varies greatly by birth year and claiming age, with estimates suggesting around $2,311 at FRA for 2025 earners, and potentially more if you delay benefits past FRA (e.g., $3,000+) or less if claimed early. Your official estimate from the SSA website is essential, as factors like inflation adjustments and your actual earnings history (not just current income) matter. 

Do Amish men use condoms?

No, generally Amish men do not use condoms or other modern birth control methods, as their religious beliefs emphasize having large families as God's blessing, though some individuals might use them due to health or financial concerns, despite it being discouraged, with no formal punishment but social disapproval. 

What religion is exempt from Social Security?

Historically, the Amish and the Mennonites have been the religious groups that have utilized this provision.

What is the average income of an Amish person?

The tract that contains the most Amish is far from uniform, however. The distribution shows a significant number of families with incomes below $49,000. Twenty three percent of households living in this Census Tract have average incomes of about $42,000. More fascinating is the emergent mode at $75,000.

Do stay at home moms get Social Security?

Yes, stay-at-home moms (SAHMs) can get Social Security benefits, either through their own work history if they paid into the system previously, or by claiming spousal/family benefits based on their spouse's earnings, which can provide up to half their benefit, without reducing the spouse's amount. Eligibility often requires meeting certain work credits (40 quarters/10 years for full benefits) or being married to a qualifying worker, with rules for divorced spouses also applying, but it's essential to check your own record and family situation for exact eligibility, notes www.kiplinger.com. 

Who cannot collect Social Security?

People ineligible for Social Security often lack sufficient work credits (40 needed), are certain government/railroad employees with separate pensions (pre-1984 federal, some teachers/police), undocumented immigrants, some foreign nationals working for their government, or individuals in specific countries, while those with severe criminal issues (fleeing prosecution) or who haven't paid taxes on earnings can also be disqualified. Eligibility hinges on work history, tax contributions, citizenship/residency, and not being covered by specific non-SS government plans. 

Can two wives collect Social Security from one husband?

Yes, a husband's Social Security record can support benefits for multiple wives (current and/or former), as long as each spouse (current or divorced) meets eligibility rules, like being married at least 10 years for exes; the payments come from the worker's record but don't reduce the worker's or other family members' benefits, and the SSA pays the highest benefit each person qualifies for, not multiple benefits. 

What did President Reagan do to Social Security?

President Reagan signed major bipartisan Social Security reforms in 1983, the Social Security Amendments, to address funding shortfalls, which involved raising payroll taxes, gradually increasing the full retirement age, taxing some benefits, and bringing new federal workers into the system. He also oversaw efforts to cut disability benefits, sparking controversy, and signed laws restoring the minimum benefit and increasing penalties for Social Security number misuse.
 

Is $40,000 a year considered poverty?

$40,000 a year is generally not considered poverty level for a single person in the U.S. (which is around $15k-$19k depending on location for 2025), but it falls into the lower-middle income bracket, meaning it's tight and often feels like poverty or a struggle, especially with high housing costs, dependents, or in expensive cities. Whether it's "poverty" depends heavily on your location, family size, and lifestyle, but it requires careful budgeting to cover essentials like food, housing, and transport. 

What happens to seniors with no income?

Indigent seniors often rely on government programs like Medicaid for healthcare and long-term care, and Social Security/SSI for income, while potentially utilizing housing/food assistance, but face tough choices like moving to lower-quality Medicaid-only facilities or facing eviction from private care if funds run out, highlighting the need for early planning, as Medicaid covers nursing homes but not most assisted living, with options including nonprofit facilities or state-specific aid programs.
 

Do Amish get Social Security?

No, most Amish people do not receive Social Security because they are exempt from paying Social Security taxes due to their religious beliefs, which prioritize community self-sufficiency and reject government welfare programs as a form of insurance. To get this exemption, they must waive their right to all Social Security benefits and prove their church provides for its members' needs, allowing them to opt out of contributing to the system but also preventing them from collecting benefits. 

What does Suze Orman say about when to take Social Security?

Suze Orman strongly advises delaying Social Security until age 70 to maximize your monthly benefit, explaining that waiting provides a significantly higher, inflation-adjusted payout for the rest of your life, making it the best financial move if you're in good health and can cover expenses by tapping other savings or working longer. She emphasizes that waiting until 70 gives you over 75% more than claiming at 62 and helps secure your finances for a longer retirement, with the main exception being if you have serious health issues or a lower-earning spouse needs to claim sooner. 

What is the new $6000 tax deduction for seniors?

Joint filers over 65 will be able to deduct up to $46,700 from their 2025 return. The standard deduction has been super-sized for seniors. Thanks to provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, taxpayers 65 and older can claim an additional $6,000 without itemizing their deductions.

Do Amish ladies wear bras?

Yes, many Amish women wear bras, but they are typically simple, practical, white cotton bras, similar to what might be found in an "older lady" section of a store, rather than modern, lacy, or underwired styles, with some very conservative groups potentially using hand-sewn undergarments for modesty and nursing. The specific practices vary by community, as the Amish don't have a single set of rules, but practicality and modesty guide their clothing choices, including undergarments. 

What do Amish use instead of toilet paper?

Amish people use various resourceful alternatives like old rags (reused after washing), newspaper pages, catalog pages, leaves, and corn cobs, reflecting their simplicity and anti-indulgence values, though some modern or less traditional groups might use conventional toilet paper, with rags and paper being common for practicality and reuse.
 

What does an Amish woman do on her wedding night?

On their wedding night, Amish women and their new husbands stay at the bride's parents' home, often participating in cleanup the next day, with their "honeymoon" involving visiting relatives for gifts, rather than a traditional trip; the night itself is usually quiet after a long day of celebration, focusing on the couple's new life together before starting their own household soon after. 

How many Americans have $500,000 in retirement savings?

While specific numbers vary by source and year, recent data (late 2025/early 2026) suggests around 7-9% of Americans have $500,000 or more in retirement savings, though older age groups and higher earners have better representation, with some reports showing about 4-9% of households in this category, and a significant portion having much less. 

How much do you have to make to get $3,000 a month in Social Security?

To get around $3,000 a month in Social Security, you generally need high lifetime earnings, often requiring over $100,000 annually for your 35 highest-earning, inflation-adjusted years, and claiming benefits at your full retirement age (FRA) or waiting until age 70 for the maximum, though some high earners claim earlier for slightly less. The Social Security Administration (SSA) calculates benefits based on your Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME) from your top 35 years, so consistently earning above the wage base cap helps significantly. 

How much super do I need to retire on $80,000?

The short answer: to retire on $80,000 a year in Australia, you'll need a super balance of roughly between $700,000 and $1.4 million. It's a broad range, and that's because everyone's circumstances are different.