social insurance
noun
: protection of the individual against economic hazards (such as unemployment, old age, or disability) in which the government participates or enforces the participation of employers and affected individuals
Examples of social insurance in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The largest revenue sources last month were individual income taxes, social insurance and retirement payroll taxes, and corporate income taxes.
—
arkansasonline.com, 11 July 2025
From unemployment to disease or disability, the problems of citizens were seen as risks largely beyond individual control, with governments required to step in and manage those risks collectively through broad programs of social insurance.
—Pierre Rosanvallon, Foreign Affairs, 14 Dec. 2015
In the long term, China needs a stronger national system of social insurance—in particular, more spending on public health and a better system of unemployment insurance—that is financed by higher progressive income taxes collected by the central government.
—Brad Setser, Foreign Affairs, 30 Aug. 2022
That social insurance program ensured an income for older Americans, plus unemployment insurance and programs to help children, elders and blind people.
—Kat McGowan, NPR, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for social insurance
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
arkansasonline.com, 11 July 2025
From unemployment to disease or disability, the problems of citizens were seen as risks largely beyond individual control, with governments required to step in and manage those risks collectively through broad programs of social insurance.
—Pierre Rosanvallon, Foreign Affairs, 14 Dec. 2015
In the long term, China needs a stronger national system of social insurance—in particular, more spending on public health and a better system of unemployment insurance—that is financed by higher progressive income taxes collected by the central government.
—Brad Setser, Foreign Affairs, 30 Aug. 2022
That social insurance program ensured an income for older Americans, plus unemployment insurance and programs to help children, elders and blind people.
—Kat McGowan, NPR, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for social insurance
Cite this Entry
“Social insurance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/social%20insurance. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share