Retirement: America Before Social Security

Lesson of the day

Retirement

Listen: You can hear the episode here (Apple podcasts) on YouTube, or on our website. Feel free to take notes on our Graphic Organizer!

Do: Why Did America Need Social Security?

These days, the idea of government assistance for the elderly, ill, physically challenged and low- or no-income people is pretty much a given. But before the 1935 Social Security Act, life without an income in America could be a frightening one.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt received a lot of letters from struggling Americans when he got into office, like this one from Mrs. M. A. Zoller Sr., who lived in Beaumont, Texas with her mother and four kids.

Read Mrs. Zoller’s letter and consider these questions:

1. What are Mrs. Zoller’s arguments for government assistance? How is she asking the government to intervene in her life?

2. How did the Social Security Act of 1935 address Mrs. Zoller’s concerns?

3. Consider an American in need today — what kind of a letter might they write to the President? What kind of government assistance would they ask for?

4. Social Security was as widely debated in 1935 as it is now — what arguments could be made against Mrs. Zoller’s plea?

2145 Broadway Ave. Beaumont, Texas July 13, 1933

President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir, I write to ask your assistance in securing an old age pension for my mother Mrs. Martha Gilbert, wife of C.R. Gilbert (deceased since January 6, 1920). She is helpless, suffering from Sugar Diabetes, which has affected her mind. She has to be cared for in the same manner as an infant. She is out of funds completely. Her son whom she used to keep house for is in a hospital in Waco, Texas—no compensation for either himself or her. I am a widow: have spent all my savings in caring for her. I have kept boarders in a private home to keep my four children for I have always been a lady; this is why I appeal to you to place your dear mother in my mother's place. With no money and no place to go unless it be the poor house. I cannot rent my rooms now for she demands constant care & attention. Please do something about this request as soon as possible. She will be 82 years old on August 9th. Yours truly, Mrs. M. A. Zoller Sr. I do not own my own home & at present cannot meet my bills (overdue). I don't know what to expect next. Thank you in advance.

Have a lovely weekend! And give a tip of the cap to the labor unions who insisted upon having one to begin with.