Fifty Years of Social Security: Past Achievements and Future Challenges. An Information Paper Prepared for Use by the Special Committee on Aging. United States Senate, Ninety-Ninth Congress, First Session.

This document contains six essays examining the history and impact of the social security program on America's economic and social development. "Social Security: The Cornerstone of American Social Welfare Policy," by Malcolm H. Morrison, presents brief background information on the system and discusses the basic principles of social security. The second section of the paper describes the changing profile of the aging population which will require modifications in the social security system. "Social Security: A Source of Support for All Ages," by W. Andrew Achenbaum, reviews the development of social security and offers a three-stage strategy for renewing the system: job training for older workers, assurance of universal coverage, and recognition of the changed status of women."Emerging Issues in Disability Policy," by Edward D. Berkowtiz, discusses the stages of development and policy problems in the disability insurance program along with recommendations to address those problems. "Social Security and Labor Market Policy," by Ben Fischer and Edward Montgomery, assesses the impact of the social security system on America's labor market. "Social Security and the Changing Role of Women," by Gail Buchwalter, explores needs of women who do not have traditional work patterns or family lifestyles and concludes that the social security system has not sufficiently addressed their needs. "Contemporary Social Security in Comparative Perspective: What Kind of Crisis?" by Peter N. Stearns, reviews the history of American social security in light of European trends in order to examine the distinctiveness of basic policy assumptions. (MCF)