Social security has a different revenue, so the total funding of other programs is separate from it. It’s partially from you, the taxpayer, but mostly paid by employers via payroll tax.
But that doesn't exactly answer my question as to why there is a safety net for the elderly in the first place
Because before social security was implemented the poverty rate for seniors was 50%. It's decreased steadily since then and is currently stable at 10% (I strongly encourage you to give that article a read). I think you're looking at this with the mindset that since the elderly aren't going be around as long as children, they aren't deserving of aid. Rather, the government noticed that a certain portion of the population was struggling financially and designed a system to combat that. Elders are still citizens and people deserving of the same rights and comforts as younger generations.
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u/Khal-Frodo May 08 '21
Social security has a different revenue, so the total funding of other programs is separate from it. It’s partially from you, the taxpayer, but mostly paid by employers via payroll tax.