FrontPage > BwzNotes > BusinessEnglish2 > SocialSecurityUS ++ Social Security in US The US is the only industrial nation **not** providing a national social security system. People could not be helped because they should help themselves. In August 1959, Roosevelt experienced a great depression (???) He established two insurance programs: The Federal something and the publicat something (Presentator was pretty fast) Reserved Fund (???) In 1935, there was a industrial occupation, 1939, the year of the survival workers. 1950: fulltime farmers, domestics, employees and non-profit were included in the federal program as well later on, the selfemployed too (???) the age for early retirement has been lowered from 55 years to 52 years - the system is financed by Tax from the whole population, and - pays out to everyone, regardless of need There is an unemployment insurance. The maximum limits depend on the state one lives in. In Massachusets (I know I wrote that wrong) it is 26 weeks, in Washington (easier to write) 32 weeks. Since 1954, about 70 wellfare programs outsidfe the local security have been established. +++ AFDC: 14 million members Child have to live in the home of the parents to be covered. Total benefits: about 23 billion dollars +++ Medic Aid: about 53 million members Established in 1956, centers on Medicare and Medic Health Services +++ Medicare +++ SSI min income (???) 1974: 6 mio americans +++ Food Stamp program - nutrition program - school milk program - public Housing program +++ Health care - Mixed program - employment based health services - company based **about 40 percent of the US population do not benefit from any health program!** Medicare and Mediaid are for the elderly / very poor 22 percent of cost paid out of own pocket in 1991 hospital 3.5 percent self consitution, medication 55 percent self constitution ++ presidents **Bill Clinton** wanted universal private health coverage, but that has been rejected in 1994. **Ronald Reggan** Introduced FTC, canceled the Foods Stamp Program. Thus he - lowered the cost of wellfare - lowered taxes -helped Americans find more jobs **Bush Senior** did neither any improvement, nor any cut. He forced states to cut AFDC. **Bill Clinton** was a social reformer. Educations and job were important. ++ Racial Debate black / hispanic benefit most ++ The Future **1960** 40 workers - 1 benefit **2003** 3.3 workers - 1 benefit **2040** System bancrupt - Bush tries to find new system without tax raise. Increase age of retirement? Don't only pay based on wages but price-index ++ Notes from Mr. Filek about 20 percent have private / personal health insurance about 60 percent have group insurance. Example IBM: health insurance for workers and their families about 20 percent do not have health insurance, but that is really hard to say Some people have //Medic Aid// or other programs. Medic aid gets less money every year and is not really an insurance. Money goes to institution, not the individual. Basically charity! Emergency Room (the tv series): Chicago, most not going to pay for their care. +++ Medicare: individual is insurance Many states have medical insurance programs. The American situation is complicated. **HMO** Health Maintenance Organization (worst than any soncialised medication) Socialised medicine: almost like going to hell Florida: rIMO worse than the Krankenkassa. Large number of doctors, first go to HMO. MediCare: starting at 60ies, fairly good program. Group insurance: Same level for everyone! +++ Baby Boomers born 1946 to 1953, are retiring very soon. They were the homecomers from world war 2, who wanted to have families. Bush: would like individual accounts, passed on to children. (Current) Basically: every one pays into a pool - big discussion in us Tax: Saving programs that are tax-deductible.