BUT MANY WAIT UNTIL AGE 65, WHEN THE PAYMENTS ARE SLIGHTLY HIGHER....

62, but many wait until age 65, when the payments are slightly higher. Recently, there has been concern that the Social

Security fund may not have enough money to fulfill its obligations in the 21st century, when the population of elderly

Americans is expected to increase dramatically. Policy makers have proposed various ways to make up the anticipated

deficit, but a long-term solution is still being debated.

In the years since Roosevelt, other American presidents have established assistance programs. These include

Medicaid and Medicare; food stamps, certificates that people can use to purchase food; and public housing which is built at

federal expense and made available to persons on low incomes.

Needy Americans can also turn to sources other than the government for help. A broad spectrum of private charities

and voluntary organizations is available. Volunteerism is on the rise in the United States, especially among retired persons.

It is estimated that almost 50 percent of Americans over age 18 do volunteer work, and nearly 75 percent of U.S.

households contribute money to charity.