social security

noun

Definition of social security

1 : the principle or practice or a program of public provision (as through social insurance or assistance) for the economic security and social welfare of the individual and his or her family especially, capitalized both Ss : a U.S. government program established in 1935 to include old-age and survivors insurance, contributions to state unemployment insurance, and old-age assistance

2 : money paid out through a social security program began collecting social security

Examples of social security in a Sentence

She is living on social security. He began collecting Social Security checks.

Recent Examples on the Web Anyone applying for a Real ID must go in person to a KYTC regional office and bring along proof of identity, residence and social security. — Billy Kobin, The Courier-Journal, 10 June 2021 This is when welfare states were built around the notion of full employment, universal healthcare, education, and social security. — Edward Webster, Quartz, 2 June 2021 Negotiations about the deal broke down this week after 7 years because of disagreements over immigration, social security, and other topics. — Nicholas Wallace, Science | AAAS, 28 May 2021 President Biden ran on a platform that called for tax and social security credits for unpaid family caregivers. — Jason Karlawish, STAT, 19 Mar. 2021 If an employer pays wages subject to federal income tax withholding or social security and Medicare taxes, they are required to file Form 941. — Lynn Mucenski Keck, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2021 Final wording of the legislation also adds a voter ID requirement to mail ballot applications, requiring voters to submit a driver's license or social security number. — Acacia Coronado, Chron, 31 May 2021 To sign up, a prospective customer enters their social security number—like with many financial services, there is a barrier to entry—and goes about the process of setting up a Lili checking account, sans monthly fees or minimum balance. — Nina Wolpow, Forbes, 11 May 2021 The bills also add a requirement that voters provide their driver's license number, state identification card number or last four digits of their social security number when updating their voter registration record or requesting a mail ballot. — Quinn Scanlan, ABC News, 27 Apr. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'social security.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries Near social security

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Social Security number

social selection

social service

Statistics for social security

Last Updated

15 Jun 2021

Cite this Entry

“Social security.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/social%20security. Accessed 24 Jun. 2021.

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More Definitions for social security

social security

noun

English Language Learners Definition of social security

: a program in which the government provides money to people who are unable to work because they are old, disabled, or unemployed

: a program in the U.S. that requires workers to make regular payments to a government fund which is used to make payments to people who are unable to work because they are old, disabled, or retired

: money that is paid out through a social security program

See the full definition for social security in the English Language Learners Dictionary

social security

noun

Legal Definition of social security

1 : the principle or practice or a program of public provision (as through social insurance or assistance) for the economic security and social welfare of the individual and his or her family especially, often capitalized both Ss : a U.S. government program established in 1935 to include old-age and survivors insurance, contributions to state unemployment insurance, and old-age assistance