In thinking about the term “social security”, we have come to think only about the Social Security Program operated by the United States government.  While this program contributes to an economic security for retirees, it is insufficient to guarantee “social security” in the broader sense of the term. 

As defined in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 22,

"Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_security, accessed 7/27/06)

According to this declaration, social security is a much broader concept than economic security.  One will note that social and cultural rights, dignity of the individual, and development of one’s personality are included along with economic security. 

In 1798, the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, a predecessor of the Universal Declaration of Human rights, included similar sentiments: 

“All citizens are to be guaranteed the rights of ‘liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression’. The Declaration argues that the need for law derives from the fact that ‘...the exercise of the natural rights of each man has only those borders which assure other members of the society the enjoyment of these same rights’" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Declaration_of_the_Rights_of_Man_and_of_the_Citizen, accessed 7/27/06).

Both of the above definitions closely parallel the value and ethical principles of the social work profession.  Since the Social Security Program has been raised as a national issue for financial reasons, it is an opportune time for social work professionals to become involved in the process of redefining this term in its broader context. 

While it is true that alterations must occur to the United States Social Security Program in order for it to remain solvent, it is equally important that changes be made elsewhere in our social welfare system so that older Americans can enjoy the benefits of liberty, dignity, and social and cultural rights.  Our society has been slowly moving in this direction with the development of community based services and supports that enable individuals to live self-sufficiently within the community.  Such community based supports are likely to have lower both social and economic costs for society and for those receiving services.  Although the savings may not be sufficient to balance the budget for the Social Security Program, this is a step in the right direction for both financial and social reasons.

As we think about revising the Social Security Program, social workers should advocate for this to occur within the context of other changes in our social welfare system that will guarantee not only economic security, but also liberty, dignity, and social and cultural rights to for all.