What does Social Security primarily provide to qualified workers?

Social Security primarily provides retirement income to workers and their spouses, which is crucial for ensuring financial stability during retirement years. This program is designed to assist individuals who have paid into the system through payroll taxes over their working life. When they retire, the benefits they receive are based on their earnings history, helping to replace a portion of their pre-retirement income.

In addition to singles, this benefit extends to the spouses of retired workers, allowing them to also receive a modification of benefits based on their partner’s work history, which further supports household income in retirement. The program's structure is essential for providing a safety net for millions of American workers, ensuring that they have a source of income when they can no longer work.

Other options listed, such as temporary income during unemployment, medical coverage for injuries, and paid family leave benefits, do not reflect the primary aim of Social Security. While those programs exist within a larger social safety net, they are not the fundamental purpose of the Social Security program.