Throughout history, people have struggled with the question of how they will support themselves in their old age. For the ancient Greeks, it came down to stockpiling jars of olive oil. In the Middle Ages, the feudal system saw the rise of the concept of charity. And, of course, families and relatives felt some responsibility for caring for aged parents. But, as society grew in size and complexity, the family was no longer capable of providing for its elderly members. This lead to the creation of guilds and "Friendly Societies" in England during the 16th Century. Members contributed a portion of their income every year that they worked, and in return were assured of care in their later years.

In time, the English Poor Law was passed in 1601 to define the government's responsibilities toward the lesser of its citizens: the poor and the aged. The law, and all subsequent similar acts, was less than benevolent. The colonists who settled in America brought similar attitudes with them, yet some people felt that financial security should be guaranteed to all citizens. As early as 1795, Thomas Paine advocated giving every citizen over the age of fifty an annual benefit of ten pounds.

The nation's first foray into a retirement fund came in 1862 with the creation of the Civil War Pension program. It gave disabled veterans, or their widows and/or orphans, a regular annual income. By 1910, the pensions had become quite an asset to surviving veterans, and quite the attractive lure to young ladies. A number of them married these old men and subsequently inherited their pensions. According to government files, payments were made as late as 1999.

As America headed toward the Twentieth Century, it was undergoing serious changes. With the advent of the Industrial Revolution, the nation was become a much more urban country. By 1920, more people were living in cities than in rural areas. This lead to a breakdown in the extended family; no longer were uncles, aunts, cousins etc. living just down the road. Yet, at the same time, life expectancy increased as a result of improvements in medical science and public health. The last straw came in 1929 with the Great Depression. Suddenly, large numbers of elderly citizens found themselves completely destitute, and many wrote to the new president, Roosevelt.

Finally, in August of 1935, the Social Security Act was signed by the president. For the first time, every citizen knew that, upon reaching the age of sixty-five, they would be assured of at least a basic income for the rest of their lives. Ms Grace Dorothy Owen holds the distinction of getting social security number 001-01-0001. Initially, benefits were a simple lump sum payment, and monthly payments started in 1942, once the trust fund had time to build up. Today, it ranks as one of the government's biggest programs. With the coming retirement of the "Baby Boom" generation, it remains to be seen in what form (if any) it will continue.

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frank j vanderlugt owns and operates http://www.aarp-now.info Aarp