Germany was the first country to provide workers with a comprehensive plan for social security. There, in 1881, Germany's imperial chancellor, Prince Otto von Bismarck, announced his plan to offer workers subsidized insurance against sickness, accident, and old age. In 1932, Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected President of the United States on a platform that promoted a social security program that would protect retirees against undue hardship, and that would provide them with an incentive to move out of the work force and make room for younger workers. After a 14-month fight in Congress, the Social Security Act was signed into law on August 14, 1935.

In over 60 years, there have been many additional government and private-sector agencies available to help meet the special needs of retired persons; these include Public Health Departments, Senior Centers, Social Service Agencies, the United Way and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). Although it appears...