The Social Security Act of 1935 established a safety net targeting which groups?

• A. The elderly and the unemployed only
• B. Farmers and ranchers
• C. Immigrants
• D. Retired workers, disabled, unemployed, and dependents

Answer: (D)

The act is about building a broad federal safety net for people who can’t support themselves because of age, disability, unemployment, or family situation. It created social insurance that provides retirement benefits for workers, unemployment compensation during job loss, and aid to dependents within families, funded by payroll taxes. This combination shows why the groups listed—retired workers, the disabled, the unemployed, and dependents—are the ones targeted by the act. It’s broader than simply helping the elderly and unemployed, and it isn’t aimed specifically at immigrants or farmers.