social insurance and public assistance

CHAPTER Bf

Social Insurance and Public AssistanceEditor: Price V. Fishback

Associate Editors: Joan Underhill Hannon, Melissa A. Thomasson, and Stephen T. Ziliak

INTRODUCTION

Price V. Fishback

Social welfare spending is a broad category that includes provisionsfor maintaining health, income, and welfare in good times and bad.The category covers a wide range of types of spending: assistance tothe poor; social insurance expenditures in programs such as SocialSecurity, unemployment insurance, and workers’ compensation;private purchases of health and life insurance; and direct expen-ditures on health care and education. Decisions on social welfarespending are made both by governments through public programsand by individuals in their private decisions about how muchto spend on charity, insurance, education, and their own health.Prior to the twentieth century, social welfare spending was largelythe responsibility of individuals, extended families, and citiesand towns. In consequence, we have only limited and scatteredquantitative evidence on the extent of public assistance programs,and we know relatively little about the share of private spendingdevoted to the general category. Our sense is that social welfarespending was a smaller proportion of overall spending in theeighteenth and nineteenth centuries than in the twentieth century.Certainly, the extent of public programs was much smaller. Muchmore research needs to be done before we can develop a compre-hensive picture of the nature of social welfare spending prior to the1920s.

As the American economy developed, more centralized lay-ers of government began to accept responsibility for public pro-grams for social welfare spending. For example, during the nine-teenth century towns and later states began to develop educationalprograms for children, while in the Progressive era in the latenineteenth and early twentieth centuries, state governments be-gan establishing workers’ compensation and mothers’ pensionsprograms. The federal government became more heavily involved

AcknowledgmentsFor helpful comments, Joan Hannon and Steve Ziliak thank Susan Carter,Price Fishback, Brian Gratton, Monty Hindman, Peter Lindert, Robert Margo,John Schwarz, Matthew Sobek, and Richard Sutch. For research assistance,the work of Erin Mooney (Government Publications, Emory University),Susan Pozzanghera (Bowling Green State University), and the staff of theUniversity of Iowa Government Publications Division is gratefully acknowl-edged. This work was made possible in part by grants from the FacultyDevelopment Fund (Saint Mary’s College of California) and the Office ofSponsored Programs (Bowling Green State University).

Price Fishback and Melissa Thomasson thank the Economics Departmentand the College of Business and Public Administration at the University of

Arizona for financial support. Kari Beardsley, Amanda Ebel, Emie Portwood,and Kwok-Chung Wong provided help in collecting and computerizing theinformation. We received invaluable help from representatives at variousgovernment agencies: Ann Bixby at the Social Security Administration, MikeFinucan at the Office of Personnel Management, Marla Huddleston at theRailroad Retirement Board, Dan Peed at the Department of Labor, and DoraTeimouri at the U.S. Rehabilitation Service. A number of colleagues, includingSusan Carter, Lee A. Craig, Brian Gratton, Joan Underhill Hannon, MontyHindman, Shawn Kantor, Carolyn Moehling, John Schwartz, Matt Sobek,Richard Sutch, John Wallis, and Stephen Thomas Ziliak provided valuablehelp and advice on our essay and the organization and choice of tables.

with social welfare spending during the Great Depression, and thelevels of social welfare spending both public and private have ex-panded rapidly since. The rise in federal activity has also led toexpanded efforts to collect data on social welfare activities. Mostof the evidence on social welfare spending at the national level hasbeen collected and developed by the Social Security Administra-tion, which was formed in the 1930s. Thus, we have a relativelycomprehensive picture of social welfare spending from approxi-mately 1929 to the present. We have several goals in this chapter:first, to provide in one place a consistent set of time series over along period that show the extent and nature of public assistanceavailable in various cities and states in the nineteenth century;second, to give a sense of the nature of both public programs andprivate spending described by the social welfare statistics of thetwentieth century; third, to examine long-term trends in social wel-fare spending in the context of changes in the economy; and finally,to warn users about features that may cause peculiarities in thedata.

PUBLIC ASSISTANCE: COLONIAL TIMES TO

THE 1920S

Stephen T. Ziliak with Joan Underhill Hannon

The category of social welfare expenditure called public assistanceincludes all types of noncontributory, tax-financed payments of re-lief to the poor. Payments of public assistance are made sometimesin cash and sometimes in kind, both to the poor who reside in house-holds and to the poor who reside in institutions. For example, thepresent-day “food stamp,” had it been in circulation from colonialtimes to the 1920s, would be counted here as public assistance inkind. Until the 1920s, all payments in cash and in kind were called

693

694 Bf SOCIAL INSURANCE AND PUBLIC ASSISTANCE

public outdoor relief, or just outrelief.1 By contrast with outdoorrelief, the “poorhouse” is counted by the Census Bureau and here asan institution of indoor relief, an almshouse where the poor resideat public expense.

Public Assistance Began in Colonial Times

A common misconception concerning the origin of taxation forpublic assistance is that it was born of the deep and persistentunemployment of the Great Depression, and that its first cry wasPresident Roosevelt’s signing of the Social Security Act in 1935.In fact, public assistance for the poor, a compulsory tax for bothindoor and outdoor relief, can be traced without interruption tocolonial times.

The first schemes of public assistance in the New World wereinfluenced by British examples, the financial and legal responsibil-ity for the destitute being assumed by the town, the parish, or thecounty. Indeed, the colonies stayed close to the spirit of Britain’s“43rd of Elizabeth,” the so-called Elizabethan Poor Law of 1601.2

The Elizabethan Poor Law laid the basis in England for the Englishpoor law system. It also laid the basis for poor laws in the Britishcolonies of America. The colony of Rhode Island, for instance,would adopt the Elizabethan Poor Law with hardly a revision. TheAct made it compulsory for each “parish” (or town) to provide forthe poor by levying a rate on property held within the jurisdiction.The Act set in motion the idea that public responsibility for thepoor should be guaranteed through a program of compulsory tax-ation. It enabled various means of providing tax-financed relief,including but not limited to outdoor relief for the aged and infirmpoor, apprenticing of pauper children to farmers, and constructionof poorhouses for the able-bodied. Administration was to be theresponsibility of an unpaid “overseer of the poor.” There were ex-ceptions to the British pattern. In the colony of New Netherland(1609–1664), the ecclesiastical practice of the Dutch ReformedChurch put a profound stamp upon colonial poor laws, and theDutch system was only gradually replaced by an English systemin developing New York (Schneider 1938, Chapter 1).

More so than would Britain, the American colonies, and thenlater the states, would adjust the poor laws to facilitate differencesin local or regional economic conditions and culture. Thus, forexample, the little-known municipal practice of “auctioning” thepoor had faded from much of New England by the late 1820s,and yet auctioning did not leave a less settled Indiana until the1840s (Shaffer, Keefer, and Breckinridge 1941, pp. 12–41; Ziliak2003). Indeed, ridding a burdened house of its children at auctionto the lowest bidder (lowest, because the tax would subsidize thetaker) was a legal form of assistance in Arkansas as late as 1903(U. S. Department of Commerce and Labor 1906, p. 41). And whilepoorhouses could be found in New England in the late seventeenthcentury, the Old Northwest Territories would not see the poorhouseas common until the 1830s.

Quantitative research on public assistance in colonialAmerica is relatively scant. But clearly, as one can see in the workof Professor Gary Nash on Boston, Philadelphia, and New York

1 “Relief” replaced the older terms for a short time in the 1930s before “welfare”gained currency for the rest of the century.2 Trattner (1974), Chapters 1–3; Webb and Webb (1927); Rose (1971). Alsosee Table Bf-A.

City, American struggles with poverty, and collective strategiesto deal with it, came early (see Tables Bf1–16). While the Con-tinental Congress “was debating independence in the handsomebrick statehouse at Fifth and Chestnut streets, the managers ofthe Philadelphia almshouse, eight blocks away, were penning adoleful report on the care of the poor. In it they admitted theirdoubt that they could any longer cope with the spiraling problemof poverty and disclosed that ‘of the 147 Men, 178 women, and 85Children [admitted to the almshouse during the previous year] mostof them [are] naked, helpless and emaciated with Poverty and Dis-ease to such a Degree, that some have died in a few Days aftertheir Admission.’”3 The almshouse in colonial Philadelphia, likemost almshouses throughout the entire antebellum period, was amiscellaneous receptacle for human distress. One almshouse couldserve as a hostel, a hospice, and a home for the disabled. The im-migrant widow and the common laborer could share quarters withthe insane, the helpless, and the emaciated, as they did in colonialPhiladelphia.

From colonial times to the present, the history of public assis-tance is in part a history of increasingly specialized “goods” and“services” being redistributed to increasingly diverse populations.Taking the long view, it is a history of an increasingly centralizedsystem of administration and finance, evolving from the townshiptrustee to the federal government, from local property taxes to thefederal income tax. But in closer range, the history of public assis-tance is in many regards what historians call a “nonlinear” history,a story filled with surprising switchbacks and sometimes radicalreversals. The tables published here give but a small sense of theuneven appearance of quantitative data across time and space, anindication of the sometimes vast difference in the practices of localand regional care for the poor.

County Asylums Dominated the Discourse ofPoverty in the Nineteenth Century, AlthoughOutdoor Relief Was More Often Provided

The volume of quantitative evidence increases as one proceedsto the 1820s and beyond. The work of Joan Underhill Hannon,although limited to the state of New York, provides evidence onlocal and regional difference in care for the poor since the 1820s(Tables Bf156–187). A large and economically diverse state, theNew York of the nineteenth century is fertile ground for studyingthe influence of industrialization, urbanization, commercialization,and immigration on both dependency rates and local relief policy.The state as a whole is clearly not representative of the nation withrespect to any of these factors. But the urban–rural variation withinNew York State is suggestive both of the variation one might expectto find across states and of the ways in which one might expect NewYork’s history to be unique.

Throughout the nineteenth century, dependency rates – or whatofficials called the “pauperism rates”4 – and relief expendituresper capita were higher in New York City than in the rest of thestate. But over the course of the century, pauperism grew morerapidly outside of the city. In 1823, New York City’s pauperism

3 Nash (1976a), p. 4; Philadelphia Gazette, May 29, 1776. While this chapterwas in the final stages of preparation, some quantitative evidence on pauperapprenticeship began to emerge. See, in particular, Murray and Herndon (2001).4 The pauperism rate is defined as the ratio of public relief recipients to the sizeof the state population.

PUBLIC ASSISTANCE: COLONIAL TIMES TO THE 1920s 695

TABLE Bf-A Important legislation and events affecting social welfare policy: 1601–1997

1601 Elizabethan Poor Law: The “43rd of Elizabeth” laid the basis for the Poor Laws in England and in the British colonies ofAmerica. The Act set in motion the idea that public responsibility for the poor should be guaranteed through a programof compulsory taxation.

1610–1660 Sieckentroosters and Dutch Poor Relief in New Netherland: The Dutch colony of New Netherland (New York)established public responsibility for the poor, financed by donations to the Dutch Reformed Church. As early as 1626,two “sieckentroosters” were employed by the Church to visit and comfort the sick of present-day Manhattan, perhaps asAmerica’s first social workers.

1662 Act of Settlement: Applicants for public assistance had to prove residence in the parish or town to which they applied.The Act connected the idea of entitlement to relief to the prerequisite of local residence. Settlement laws were passedand enforced in the United States throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

1775 First military pension program established by the Continental Congress. Set the precedent for military pensions forfuture wars.

1787 Free African Society organized by Richard Allen and Absalom Jones, in Philadelphia. The Society was a self-help andcharitable organization for blacks. It was probably the first success among what would become a long line ofindependent black social organizations.

1824 New York’s Act to Provide for the Establishment of County Poorhouses established that New York counties were tobuild poorhouses to provide shelter to applicants for public assistance. A number of states in New England, the MiddleAtlantic, and the Middle West passed similar legislation during the antebellum period.

1862 Federal Civil War Disability Pensions were established for regular recruits and volunteers in the Union Army. Initially,the criteria for the eligibility and size of pensions were strictly tied to service-related injuries. The Arrears Act of 1879loosened that tie, and the 1890 Dependent Pension Act ended it. By 1910, 28 percent of all men aged 65 and over andsome 300,000 widows, orphans, and other dependents received benefits from veterans’ pension programs.

1863 Massachusetts established the first Board of State Charities. Between 1863 and the 1900s, individual states established acentral authority over the state’s institutions of public assistance. In many states, the central authority administeredcorrections, health, and lunacy, in addition to public assistance.

1865 New York State legislature authorized the establishment of the Willard Asylum, the first state hospital for the chronicallymentally ill, preparing the state for the removal of mentally ill paupers from poorhouses to state hospitals.

1874 The first annual National Conference on Charities and Corrections (NCCC) brought together leaders of the nation’spublic relief and private charitable organizations to discuss the similarity of their problems. The Charity OrganizationSociety (COS), a quasi-private organization, dominated the agenda of the NCCC until 1905 when Jane Addams, aProgressive and a leader of the settlement house movement, was elected as its president.

1874 First private pension program established by railroads.1875 The New York Children’s Act ordered the removal of all children between the ages of 2 and 16 from poorhouses to

orphanages and other facilities. Other states passed similar acts over the last quarter of the nineteenth century. Reactionto the resulting family breakup and overcrowding of orphans’ homes provided a basis for the Progressive era movementtoward Mothers’ Pensions.

1877 The first COS was established in Buffalo, New York. During the last quarter of the nineteenth century, the COS led themovement that would abolish public outdoor relief in ten of the largest cities and bring sharp reductions to many othercities. The COS sought to replace public assistance with a voluntaristic and “scientific charity” based on distinctionsbetween the “worthy” and the “unworthy” poor. By 1893, there was a COS in one hundred cities across the nation.

1880 New York State Care Act: The Act required that all of the mentally ill in county institutions be moved to state hospitalsand that the state assume complete responsibility for care of the insane poor. Other states created similar legislationduring the late nineteenth century.

1893–1894 An early experiment with public works: With the initiative of their COSs, the municipalities of Indianapolis and NewYork City used tax dollars to put to work many thousands of adults who had been thrown out of work during thedepression.

1899 Charity Organization Society and the State of Indiana. The Indiana Legislature directed the Indiana Board of StateCharities to implement the principles of the COS.

1908 Federal Employers Liability Act declared unconstitutional. The Act increased the range of accidents for which railroademployers were required to make payments to injured workers by limiting their legal defenses in lawsuits.

1908 Provision of workers’ compensation to federal employees involved in workplace accidents.1911 First permanent workers’ compensation acts passed by California, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, New Hampshire,

New Jersey, Ohio, Washington, and Wisconsin. Most other states and territories established the program over the nextnine years. Mississippi was the last to establish a program in 1948. Workers’ compensation provided payments to thefamilies of workplace accident victims and took the place of the earlier common law rules based on employer liability.

1911 First state Mothers’ Pension law passed in Illinois. By 1920, forty states had established mothers’ pensions to provideregular payments to impoverished mothers of dependent children. These programs served as a model for the Aid toDependent Children program established by the Social Security Act of 1935.

1915 First state Old-Age Pension law passed by Alaskan territory. Provided pensions for elderly with low incomes to allowthem to live outside the almshouse. By 1934, thirty states and territories had passed legislation.

(continued)


TABLE Bf-A Important legislation and events affecting social welfare policy: 1601–1997 Continued

1917 First state department of public welfare established in Illinois to increase state financing and control of public assistance. Otherstates developed public welfare departments in the 1920s.

1920 Civil Service Retirement Act. Established a regular system of pensions for all federal government employees.1920 State–federal rehabilitation programs first enacted under the Smith–Fess Act.1921 Shephard–Towner Act passed to provide federal grants to states to improve public health programs. Program ended by 1930.1932 Reconstruction Finance Corporation established. Among its many tasks, the RFC made loans to local governments to help

finance public assistance and work relief.1932 First state unemployment insurance law passed by Wisconsin, but no benefits were paid before the Social Security Act

established the state–federal program in 1935.1933 New Deal programs began providing emergency funding for work relief and direct relief of the unemployed.1934 Federal Railroad Retirement pension program enacted. Declared unconstitutional and replaced by new law in 1935.1935 First federal public housing project begins construction under the Public Works Administration’s Public Housing program.1935 Social Security Act passed. The Act established the Old-Age, Survivors Insurance pension program and set up state–federal

programs for unemployment insurance, old-age assistance, aid to the blind, and aid to dependent children.1936 Veterans’ bonus of up to $2 billion paid to World War I veterans.1937 U.S. Housing Authority established to aid in the building of public housing.1938 Federal Railroad Unemployment Insurance program enacted.1939 Social Security Act amended to make the Old-Age, Survivors Insurance program a pay-as-you-go system in which current tax

revenues fund payments to Social Security pension recipients.1940 First Social Security Old-Age Insurance pension checks issued.1946 Federal Railroad Disability Insurance program enacted.1950 Farm and domestic employees and nonfarm self-employed persons are covered for first time under Social Security Old-Age

Insurance pension program.1950 Federal government establishes program to fund payments to medical vendors for care of low-income persons.1950 Social Security Act amended to provide aid to the totally and permanently disabled.1954 Self-employed farmers covered under Social Security pension program.1959 First payments made under Social Security Disability Insurance program.1960 Federal government initiated a program for medical assistance to the elderly.1962 Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) superseded the aid to dependent children program as coverage expands to

include adults caring for dependent children.1962 First year that Food Stamps are provided for low-income persons under pilot program. First Food Stamp Act was passed in 1964.1962 Manpower Development and Training Act along with the Equal Opportunity Act of 1964 established work-experience training

programs.1965 Legislation established the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Administration.1965 Medicaid program established to build upon and take over earlier programs for paying vendors for the provision of medical care

to persons with low incomes.1965 Medicare established to offer federal health insurance for the elderly.1965 Omnibus Budget and Reconciliation Act (OBRA) homogenized resource limits across states and increased the AFDC benefit

reduction rate to 100 percent.1969 Black Lung Benefits program established by the federal government to provide disability payments to miners with black lung

disease.1969 Federal government established an emergency assistance program.1972 Supplemental Security Income program superseded the old-age assistance, aid to the blind, and disability programs.1972 The Women, Infants and Children program for nutritional supplementation was started as a pilot program and became

permanent in 1974.1973 Congress passed the Comprehensive Education and Training Act to replace earlier job training programs and to provide block

grants for decentralized training.1981 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program established to provide block grants to help low-income households meet their

energy expenses.1983 Job Training Partnership Act replaced Comprehensive Education and Training Act. Private industry councils work with county

welfare agents to connect welfare-to-work with wage subsidies.1987 Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) established. The FERS offered a broader range of retirement benefits than the

original Civil Service Retirement System.1988 Family Support Act. Attempted to change welfare programs from eligibility and monitoring programs to explicit programs for

moving households into self-sufficiency. Child support laws were strengthened, and work was required from most of theable-bodied.

1996 Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act. The Act removed the federal control of public assistance thathad been enabled by the Social Security Act of 1935 and strengthened by amendments in 1962. In particular, the individualstates were no longer required to provide a poor person with a cash welfare benefit.

1997 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program (TANF) replaced the AFDC program. TANF was by 1998 operating in aboutforty states. Each state is enforcing a four- or five-year lifetime limit on the receipt of cash benefits and requiring (howeverdifferently) some amount of waged employment from drug-free participants.


rate was almost twelve times that in the rest of the state; by theend of the century, that difference would shrink to a factor of lessthan three (though many would still regard the difference economi-cally and morally significant). Since New York City spent fewerdollars per recipient, the city-to-state differential in per capita ex-penditures (which narrowed across the antebellum period beforewidening again in the late nineteenth century) can probably be at-tributed entirely to the city’s higher pauperism rate (Hannon 1997b,Tables 1 and 4).

Outside New York City, pauperism rates and expenditures percapita were positively correlated with urbanization, though urbani-zation and population density are found to have had little or noindependent effect after controlling for other variables (Hannon1997a, Tables 2, A1, A2, A3, and A4).

Given the relationships between urbanization, dependency, andexpenditures within the state, it should not be surprising to find inthe nationwide data a relatively high level of dependency in NewYork State. The work of Stephen Ziliak on the number of paupersin the nation’s almshouses shows that the New York figures arenot out of line with the averages for the New England and Mid-dle Atlantic states (Tables Bf34–155) (Ziliak 2002a). Yet as onemight expect, the almshouse rate in New York greatly exceededthe national average in 1880 and 1890. Still, the almshouse ratesshould not be used synonymously with pauperism rates. Pauperismrates include all recipients of public assistance, indoor and outdoor.Moreover, each state and each county used indoor relief and out-door relief with different criteria for eligibility and in the contextof local economic conditions.

The history of public assistance, when viewed from a long-run perspective, is also a history of withdrawal – though nevercomplete – from the explicitly punitive, correctional, and mentalhealth institutions. Most Americans now would not consider theauctioning system of the 1800s or the whippings of the 1700s a“good” or “service”; the practices hardly deserve the word “assis-tance.” Likewise, most Americans in the Victorian period wouldhave shuddered at the very idea of the 1970s “welfare right”(Gordon 1990; Ziliak 1996b).

The separation of spheres, and its division of labor, would comeslowly, unevenly, and with sudden reversals. In his study of reliefin New York in 1823, John Yates, the Secretary of the State of NewYork, could still include pauper auctions as part of New York’spublic assistance programs (Hannon 1984). State Departments ofPublic Welfare, formed as recently as the 1920s, were precededfor sixty years by “State Boards of Charities and Corrections” andby “State Boards of Charities, Corrections, and Lunacy” (NationalConference of Charities and Corrections 1893, pp. 33–51). To takeone more example, at the end of the nineteenth century the veryidea of a poor person would be transformed and expanded by case-workers who were studying the nascent field of psychology – thisshift occurred at the same time that public assistance was beingabolished in the largest cities and as the notion of “structural un-employment” was coming into vogue.

The Evolution of Relief in New YorkWas Probably Typical

The evolution of public assistance in nineteenth-century New Yorkcan probably be regarded as fairly typical of Northern states, al-though sometimes ahead of its time. New York State was a leading

participant in each major reform movement of the nineteenth cen-tury, and the state’s poor law often served as a model for otherstates (Schneider 1938; Trattner 1974; Leiby 1978; Katz 1983).Prior to 1824, public relief in New York State was the responsibil-ity of town governments, and the forms of relief varied from townto town. Under its 1824 poor law, as revised in 1827, New YorkState transferred primary responsibility to county governments(though towns in many counties continued to assume responsi-bility for temporary outdoor relief ). The 1824 law required thateach county establish a poorhouse; and although many countieswere exempted from this provision, by 1840 almost every countyoperated a poorhouse. By mandate of state law, all public reliefrecipients, except those deemed to be in need of only temporaryassistance not to exceed $10 during the year, were to be supportedin a county poorhouse. Public assistance evolved with a similarpattern of development in the states of the Old Northwest Terri-tory, which looked to Pennsylvania for their first model (Kennedy1934, Chapter 1).

The 1827 revision of New York’s poor law required county su-perintendents of the poor to submit annual reports to the Secretaryof State, who in turn was directed to present a report to the statelegislature. Annual reporting began in most states forty to seventyyears later with the establishment of a Board of State Charities. InNew York, the first Annual Report appeared in 1830. Most countiesreported only on poorhouse relief until 1839, when they were di-rected to include temporary outdoor relief in their reports. The datain Tables Bf156–187 are constructed from the county-level datacontained in these reports. When compared with the almost negli-gible use of the poorhouse found by Secretary Yates in 1823, thedata from the period from the 1820s through the 1840s document adramatic rise of the poorhouse as a share of both total expenditureson public relief (Tables Bf156–187). Likewise, the dramatic riseof the poorhouse can be seen in the series constructed by PriscillaClement for the city of Philadelphia, 1800–1854 (Tables Bf17–27).

Though much of the historical literature locates the impetus ofenthusiasm in America’s cities, in antebellum New York State boththe support for and the usage of the poorhouse was, if anything,more prevalent in rural–agricultural areas (Hannon 1985, pp. 243–247, 1996; Cray 1988, pp. 100–135). In 1840, for example, NewYork City sent 29 percent of its paupers to the poorhouse, whereas44 percent of paupers in the rest of the state were supported inpoorhouses (calculated from Table Bf176–187). Quantitative evi-dence from other states is required to determine the representative-ness of New York City’s policy. To take what must be an extremeillustration, in 1840 about 93 percent of Philadelphia’s pauperswere supported in the almshouse (Table Bf23–27).

The work of Stephen Ziliak on paupers in almshouses during theperiod 1850–1923 shows vast differences in almshouse usage bystate, by census region, and over time (Tables Bf34–155) (Ziliak2002a). For example, the length of time a pauper stayed in analmshouse varied immensely. In 1880, the average length of stayin a Delaware almshouse was eight years and in a Texas almshouse,one year. Length of stay was no doubt related to age (among otherfactors), and the age structure of the population in the East wasmuch older than that of the West. But poorhouse usage variedover time and space in nearly every social and economic variable.Nationwide the able-bodied paupers were never more than onethird the total almshouse population. In the nineteenth century, theable-bodied share of the almshouse population fell at each censusenumeration and hit a low of about 7 percent in the 1920s. To


take one more example of difference, in 1923 the ratio of men towomen in the population of the United States was near unity. In thealmshouses of the Deep South, the ratio of men to women was alsonear unity. But in the almshouses of the Middle West and especiallyof the Pacific and Mountain regions the ratio of men to women wasas high as 5:1 (Ziliak 2002a, Figures 3 and 8 and Table 1).

Oliver Twist Was Not the Typical Pauperof an Almshouse

The almshouses erected during the antebellum period remainedcentral to the administrative structure of relief systems, and in NewYork they absorbed well over half of the funds of local public re-lief for the remainder of the century (Table Bf156–175). Across theNorthern states, the almshouse bulked large in administrative andfinancial budgets. Yet nationwide, the percentage of the populationliving in almshouses was not particularly large (Tables Bf34–155).This was especially true in the second half of the nineteenth centuryand in the early twentieth century. Between 1850 and the 1920s,the fraction of the population living in almshouses peaked at 2.7persons per 1,000. From its peak (in 1860), the fraction of the popu-lation living in almshouses fell at each census enumeration to a lowof 0.08 percent in 1923 (Ziliak 2002a, Figures 5 and 6). During thesame period, local officials provided outdoor relief to an increas-ing share of all public relief recipients (Table Bf176–187). Thistrend was caused by the relatively high cost of almshouse relief(calculated from Tables Bf156–187) and by a dawning recogni-tion of the many environmental, as opposed to personal, causes ofpoverty (Hannon 1985). But this was also a trend toward the pro-vision of increasingly specialized services to increasingly diversepopulations. The miscellaneous poorhouse of colonial Americawas seen to be inhumane by the standards of the late nineteenthcentury. From New York to California, the almshouse evolved intoan “old folks home,” a home for aged, unskilled, “feeble-minded,”and physically disabled men and women; there were more nativesthan immigrants and more whites than blacks, and most almshousedwellers had never been married and had no children alive or ableand willing to care for them. Oliver Twist, the waif of Dickens’fiction commonly associated with the bowels of the poorhouse andthe even darker workhouse, was in fact hardly seen in such places.By 1915, just 0.1 percent of all paupers in almshouses were, likeOliver, children with neither parent living. A better literary charac-terization of a pauper in an almshouse is Mrs. Thomson of EdwardEggleston’s The Hoosier School-Master (1871) or Grampa Joadof John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath (1939). Outdoor relief,though expanding at a tremendous rate, was going instead intothe homes of able-bodied adults who experienced short spells ofillness or industrial unemployment (Ziliak 1997). Yet total institu-tional usage was all the while expanding. This was as true of publicinstitutions as it was of private institutions. As almshouse usagefell with each census enumeration, the usage of insane asylums,orphans’ homes, homes for the “friendless,” homes for “fallenwomen,” homes for the “blind, deaf, and dumb,” and homes for thefeeble-minded increased more than proportionately (Ziliak 2002a,Table 2). An array of charities, many of them hybrids of public andprivate schemes, emerged to meet the special needs of new im-migrant and urban poverty. Between 1880 and 1895, Indianapolisgave birth to more than thirty new charities. Among them one findsthe Alpha Home for Aged Colored Women, the German Lutheran

Orphan’s Home, the Ladies’ Hebrew Benevolent Society, and theSocialistic Sick Benefit Society (Ziliak 1996a). Indianapolis wasnot unique.

“Welfare” Was Widely Abolished in the LateNineteenth Century

The midcentury expansion of outdoor relief was rather abruptlyhalted when the downturns of the 1870s and the 1880s swelledpauper applications (Table Bf176–187). In response to crippledmunicipal budgets and a rising fear of pauperism and other vice,the Charity Organization Societies (COSs) launched a crusadeagainst public outdoor relief (Ziliak 1996a, 1997; Hannon 1997b;Kauffman and Kiesling 1997).

Ten of the nation’s largest cities abolished public outdoor relief,and many others sharply reduced it. The numbers affected were notsmall. In Brooklyn more than 46,000 people were directly affectedby the abolition of 1879. Leaders of the COS orchestrated the abo-lition.5 The COS did not object to the provision of material relief.Rather, they were advocates of a voluntaristic and “scientific char-ity.” Although their practices and achievements varied, the COSssharpened the old distinction between “worthy” and “unworthy”poor; they revived a notion of friendship and morality in the de-livery of public assistance; they brought “scientific method” tothe study of poverty; they centralized service delivery and dataexchange; they established state boards and national conferencesof charity; they started industrial schools and commercial clubs;and they gave birth to modern social and case work. According toStephen Ziliak, the abolition of public outdoor relief had at leasttwo large effects: It induced a large increase in private charitabledonations as well as in expenditures on workhouses and other cor-rectional facilities. And yet instead of helping the poor to achieveself-reliance, abolition seems to have merely shifted the depen-dence from public to private rolls, and from benevolent societiesto departments of corrections. For example, the length of time thata family stayed on relief rolls did not change with the abolitionof welfare. In fact, the length of time a family stays on relief hasnot changed much at all since the 1820s, hovering in most decadesbetween eight and thirteen months (Ziliak 1996a, 2002b, Table 3).The percentage of families leaving relief rolls for higher earningsis also relatively stable: between 33 and 40 percent. Similarly, theresearch of Stephen Ziliak and of Stanley Lebergott lends somesupport to the idea that middle-class charity – in spite of occa-sional and localized spasms – is rather constant: The ratio of thenation’s expenditures on indoor and outdoor relief to the averageearnings of common labor has remained relatively steady over along sweep of nineteenth- and twentieth-century history, between25 and 30 percent nationwide (Table Bf28–33) (Lebergott 1976,pp. 61–65; Ziliak 2002b). As yet there is little evidence suggestingthat the abolition of welfare was productive of increases in the self-reliance of the poor. To take just one more example, not a singlelaborer advanced to a higher occupational category while underthe care of the Indianapolis Charity Organization Society.

Despite the crusades against public outdoor relief – or perhapsbecause of it – total institutional usage was rising and diversify-ing in the latter part of the nineteenth century. This rise correlated

5 The COS was imported from London to Buffalo, New York, in 1877. By1893, there was a COS in 100 of the United States.


with increasing degrees of administrative control at the state level.Pauper children were removed from county almshouses and placedin private households or in state institutions that would try to ad-dress specific physical or mental disadvantages. Yet estimates ofthe numbers involved suggest that the local systems continued tosupport almost three quarters of the relief population in New Yorkand Indiana at the end of the century, and so far there is little reasonfor thinking that other states deviated markedly from this pattern(Butler 1916; Hannon 1997a, Figure 2; Ziliak 2002a). Under stressfrom the depression of 1893–1894, public outdoor relief returned.But the more dramatic appearance of the welfare state, of course,waited for the twentieth century.

Alternatives to local relief in the late nineteenth and early twen-tieth century included federal pensions for veterans of the Civil Warand, in many states, mothers’ pensions (on which Aid to Depen-dent Children [ADC] was later modeled). By 1910, according toTheda Skocpol, 28 percent of all American men aged 65 and over,and some 300,000 widows, orphans, and other dependents werereceiving benefits under the veterans’ benefits programs. That is,the number of widows and dependents receiving veterans’ pen-sions was more than four times the total number of paupers livingin almshouses. By 1920, forty states had enacted mothers’ pen-sions, under which local governments provided regular paymentsto impoverished mothers of dependent children (Skocpol 1992,pp. 160–204, 424–79). Still, the enumeration of paupers inalmshouses in each decennial census from 1850 to 1880 and thespecial censuses of paupers in almshouses conducted by the Bureauof the Census in 1904, 1910, and 1923 attest to the continuing sym-bolic importance of the county poorhouse in the twentieth century(Tables Bf34–155) (Ziliak 2002a).

Public Assistance Has Been Entwined withHealth and Corrections

The historical process of separating matters of public assistancefrom matters of crime and mental illness is a process that parallelsthe great twentieth-century expansions of criteria for eligibility forrelief and of the sovereignty of the poor as consumer. Throughoutthe nineteenth century, there were moments when especially thosewho worked most closely with the poor acknowledged economicand social causes of poverty, but the belief that the roots of povertylie in the character of the poor themselves and the idea that theprovision of public relief itself creates dependency were dominantforces shaping public relief policy (Katz 1983; Hannon 1997a;Ziliak 1997). The twentieth century certainly did not eliminatethese ideas from popular opinion, academic scholarship, or publicpolicy debate. They continue to provide ideological support forreversals of a long-run evolution of programs for public assistancethat, at least for native whites, lay less and less blame for poverty onthe character of the poor person. The separation of public assistancefrom crime and “lunacy” has been a slow process of concedingground to causes of poverty that lay outside the domain of personalresponsibility. Perhaps most important, these causes have includedrecognition of the uncertain and sometimes volatile breakdownof markets and of marriage, as well as recognition of the facts ofinstitutional racism, patriarchy, and mental and physical difference.

At the same time that public assistance was being divorcedfrom corrections and mental healthcare, and as the power of localself-government and local control were being diminished, the

sovereignty of the poor was expanding: The movements were fromauctions to workhouses to free government cheese; from the spec-tacle of bread lines to cashable checks in the mail, confidential andunrestricted, like cash. The Personal Responsibility and Work Op-portunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 made way for a substantialreversal of these developments.

The history of public assistance can, of course, be seen as a his-tory of race, of class, and of gender struggles to define work, home,and the American Dream. From early nineteenth-century lists of the“causes of pauperism,” on which immigration occupied the numberone spot, through the Americanization efforts of early social work-ers to restrictions on the eligibility of immigrants under the 1996Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act,the immigrant poor are often subjected to a nineteenth-century dis-tinction between “worthy” and “unworthy.” Similarly, from genderand racial segregation of nineteenth-century poorhouse residentsthrough the fight for mothers’ pensions and ADC, to provisions ofthe Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity ReconciliationAct that allow states to deny benefits to unmarried teen mothersand to impose family caps, the historical evolution of welfare pol-icy is integrally linked with the politics of race, gender, and theAmerican family (Skocpol 1992; Gordon 1994; Mink 1995;Quadagno 1996; Green 1999). To take just one example, in thefirst half of the nineteenth century, a free “Negro or mulatto” couldenter the state of Ohio only “by giving to the clerk of the com-mon pleas court a freehold security to the amount of five hundreddollars, which was later used for his support in case he became apauper” (Kennedy 1934, pp. 23–36; Ziliak 2003).

Previous editions of the Historical Statistics of the United Stateshave published statistics on public assistance. Most of the pre-viously published data series begin their run in 1936. A few ofthe previously published data series were traced back to 1890.6

Statistical data for the centuries before the 1930s were omittedfrom the previous editions of Historical Statistics of the UnitedStates. The omission was not caused by an absence of publiclyfinanced relief programs in earlier times nor by a dearth of primarysource data: they are plentiful. At the time of the publication of theprevious editions, there was simply a lack of historical researchinto the identification, collection, and analysis of such data.

A statistical portrait of public assistance in the United Statesfrom colonial times to the 1920s is beginning to emerge. Thetables published here are but a small sample of the data on publicassistance that historians now know exist. There is a long way to gobefore we have a quantitative account of public assistance whosecompleteness is akin to that of our national income statistics. Forexample, while historians are aware that public assistance is en-twined financially and administratively with the history of privatecharities, historians are just beginning to uncover the economicsignificance of the relation between the two sectors (Ziliak 1996a,1997; Hannon 1997b; Kauffman and Kiesling 1997; Kiesling andMargo 1997). Thus the data assembled here are more voluminousfor particular geographic regions, periods of time, and kinds ofrelief, reflecting both the varied development of public and privateschemes over time and place and the relative infancy of quantitativehistorical scholarship on public assistance in the United States.

6 For example, in Historical Statistics of the United States (1975), series H 346–367 traces public assistance at the local, state, and federal levels to 1936; andseries H1–31 (“Social Welfare Expenditures under Public Programs”) extendback to 1890.


References

Butler, Amos. 1916. “A Century of Progress: A Study of Public Charities andCorrection, 1790–1915.” Holliday Collection, Indiana Room, Indiana StateLibrary.

Cray, Robert E., Jr. 1988. Paupers and Poor Relief in New York City and ItsRural Environs, 1700–1830. Temple University Press.

Gordon, Linda, editor. 1990. Women, the State, and Welfare. University ofWisconsin Press.

Gordon, Linda. 1994. Pitied but Not Entitled: Single Mothers and the Historyof Welfare. Harvard University Press.

Green, Elna C., editor. 1999. Before the New Deal: Social Welfare in the South,1830–1930. University of Georgia Press.

Hannon, Joan Underhill. 1984. “Poverty and the Antebellum Northeast: TheView from New York State’s Poor Relief Rolls.” Journal of Economic History44 (4): 1007–32.

Hannon, Joan Underhill. 1985. “Poor Relief Policy in Antebellum New YorkState: The Rise and Decline of the Poorhouse.” Explorations in EconomicHistory 22 (January): 233–56.

Hannon, Joan Underhill. 1996. “Why Poorhouses? Determinants of Local Re-lief Policy in Nineteenth-Century New York State.” Paper presented to theSocial Science History Association, New Orleans.

Hannon, Joan Underhill. 1997a. “Public Relief Dependency before the WelfareState: The Interplay of Life Cycles, Labor Markets, and Policy in Nineteenth-Century New York State.” Paper presented to the Allied Social ScienceAssociation (January).

Hannon, Joan Underhill. 1997b. “Shutting Down Welfare: Two Cases fromAmerica’s Past.” Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance 37 (2): 419–38.

Herndon, Ruth Wallis. 2001. Unwelcome Americans: Living on the Margin inEarly New England. University of Pennsylvania Press.

Katz, Michael B. 1983. Poverty and Policy in American History. AcademicPress.

Kauffman, Kyle D., and L. Lynne Kiesling. 1997. “Was There a Nineteenth-Century Welfare Magnet in the United States? Preliminary Results from NewYork City and Brooklyn.” Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance 37(2): 439–48.

Kennedy, Aileen E. 1934. The Ohio Poor Law and Its Administration. Univer-sity of Chicago Press.

Kiesling, L. Lynne, and Robert A. Margo. 1997. “Explaining the Rise inAntebellum Pauperism, 1850–1860: New Evidence.” Quarterly Review ofEconomics and Finance 37 (2): 405–18.

Lebergott, Stanley. 1976. The American Economy: Income, Wealth, and Want.Princeton University Press.

Leiby, James. 1978. A History of Social Welfare and Social Work in the UnitedStates. Columbia University Press.

Nash, Gary B. 1976a. “Poverty and Poor Relief in Pre-Revolutionary Philadel-phia.” William and Mary Quarterly 33: 3–30.

National Conference of Charities and Corrections. 1893. Committee Report,“History of State Boards.” Proceedings of the National Conference of Char-ities and Corrections. Geo. H. Ellis.

Quadagno, Jill. 1996. The Color of Welfare: How Racism Undermined the Waron Poverty. Oxford University Press.

Rose, Michael E. 1971. The English Poor Law. Barnes & Noble.Schneider, David M. 1938. The History of Public Welfare in New York State,

1609–1866. University of Chicago Press.Shaffer, Alice, Mary Wysor Keefer, and Sophonisba P. Breckinridge. 1941. The

Indiana Poor Law. University of Chicago Press.Skocpol, Theda. 1992. Protecting Soldiers and Mothers: The Political Origins

of Social Policy in the United States. Harvard University Press.Trattner, Walter. 1974. From Poor Law to Welfare State. Free Press.U.S. Bureau of the Census. 1906. Paupers in Almshouses. U.S. Government

Printing Office.Webb, Sidney, and Beatrice Webb. 1927. English Local Government: English

Poor Law History: Part I, The Old Poor Law. Longmans, Green.Ziliak, Stephen. 1996a. “The End of Welfare and the Contradiction of Com-

passion.” Independent Review 1 (1): 55–73.Ziliak, Stephen T. 1996b. “Essays on Self-Reliance: The United States in the

Era of ‘Scientific Charity.’ ” Ph.D. dissertation, University of Iowa.

Ziliak, Stephen T. 1997. “Kicking the Malthusian Vice: Lessons from the Abo-lition of ‘Welfare’ in the Late Nineteenth Century.” Quarterly Review ofEconomics and Finance 37 (2): 449–68.

Ziliak, Stephen T. 2002a. “Pauper Fiction in Economic Science: ‘Paupers inAlmshouses’ and the Odd Fit of Oliver Twist.” Review of Social Economy60 (2): 159–81.

Ziliak, Stephen T. 2002b. “Some Tendencies of Social Welfare and the Problemof Interpretation.” Cato Journal 21 (Winter): 499–513.

Ziliak, Stephen T. 2003. “It’s Your Birthday, Welfare: 400 Years of HappyFrustration.” Unpublished paper. Georgia Institute of Technology.

SOCIAL WELFARE: 1929 TO THE PRESENT

Price V. Fishback and Melissa A. Thomasson

Probably the most dramatic change in the American economy overthe course of the twentieth century has been the growth of socialwelfare spending by both public and private entities. A key compo-nent of that growth has been an expansion in public social welfareprograms. These programs aid individuals and families in obtain-ing education and in obtaining insurance against financial hardshipin old age and against the risks of workplace disability and un-employment. They also provide financial and other resources forlow-income households. The programs sometimes supplement andsometimes replace the provisions of such services by private en-terprise or by households. In fact, private spending on these socialwelfare issues may have been greater than public spending at theturn of the century and is roughly two thirds of the level of publicsocial welfare spending today.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is the primary sourcefor public social welfare statistics. The SSA defines social wel-fare spending to include “expenditures on social insurance, in-come maintenance, health and medical care, education, housing,veterans’ benefits, and other welfare services directed specificallytoward promoting the economic and social welfare of individualsand families.” There is certainly the potential for endless debateover the adequacy of this definition. The SSA chose the definitionin part to be compatible with international definitions of social wel-fare spending used by the Organization for Economic Co-operationand Development (OECD) and the International Labour Office(ILO). Awareness of the potential limitations of the definition andits implied categories has led the SSA to provide the statistics ata low enough level of disaggregation that those with alternativedefinitions can regroup the data appropriately.

Prior to the 1930s, social welfare spending was primarily theresponsibility of state and local governments. As seen in this chap-ter’s essay on public assistance from colonial times to the 1920sand tables contributed by Joan Hannon and Stephen Ziliak on pub-lic assistance in the nineteenth century, some local governmentsprovided relief to the poor, but the amounts varied substantiallyfrom place to place. Public schools were supported by local taxes,and beginning in the mid-nineteenth century they were maintainedby a combination of state and local taxes. In the mid-1850s, statesbegan to establish institutions for the mentally ill and other depen-dent groups, and state boards of health were in operation in manystates by the early 1900s. The federal government largely confinedits social welfare responsibilities to aiding veterans of militaryservice, although the pensions for Civil War veterans and theirwidows and children benefited a substantial segment of society

SOCIAL WELFARE: 1929 TO THE PRESENT 701

(see Skocpol 1992; Orloff 1993). During the Progressive era in theearly 1900s, reformers pressed state governments for an extensiveseries of social welfare programs, including workers’ compensa-tion laws, unemployment insurance, state-provided health insur-ance, old-age pensions, and mothers’ aid pensions for widowedmothers. Of all these programs, only workers’ compensation andthe mothers’ aid pensions were adopted in a large number of statesby 1929. By the mid-1930s a number of states had adopted old-age relief plans, while only Wisconsin had enacted unemploymentinsurance, and they had not yet started paying benefits by the timethe Social Security Act established unemployment insurance as ajoint federal–state program.

Prior to the Great Depression, social insurance and many socialwelfare activities were not considered to be under the purviewof the federal government. When the Great Depression led toan unemployment rate of nearly 25 percent in 1933, FranklinRoosevelt and the New Dealers made the argument that the De-pression was a national emergency that must be dealt with usingfederal programs. The New Deal provided emergency assistanceto large numbers of unemployed workers and then in 1935 estab-lished several long-term social insurance programs with the SocialSecurity Act. Federal actions during the 1930s set precedents forthe expansion of the federal government into additional programsthat were introduced in later years. After the federal governmentbecame involved in the social welfare business, the collection ofstatistics aggregated to a national level expanded rapidly. Conse-quently, most of the statistics presented in this chapter are from1929 to the present. Few national statistics are available for theearlier periods. There was enormous variation across cities, coun-ties, and states in the provision of such services, and we have onlyshreds of evidence available.

It is important to offer a caveat about use of the statistics on so-cial welfare expenditures. The vast majority of the statistics avail-able on social welfare spending are reported by the SSA in theSocial Security Bulletin and the Social Security Bulletin AnnualSupplement. The first lesson to be learned in examining the longtime series is that the series are often revised in response to newdata, methods, and conceptual definitions. The SSA often publishesthe revised versions of the recent data, but in many cases it offersrevised information for only those earlier years ending in 0 and 5.In most cases, we try to present the revisions that were availablethrough 1997. Discussions with the people at the SSA who compilethe statistics suggest that a search for “the” number in any singleyear would be futile. The numbers are estimates from surveys, re-ports of other agencies, and other sources. In a number of settings,the fundamental information is collected only every second, third,fifth, or tenth year, and the observations for the intervening yearsare interpolations. Thus, the reported observations for each yearshould be treated as rough approximations of the “true” level. Thepeople at the SSA are careful to try to maintain consistency in thedefinitions of the series. However, even the revisions are subjectto measurement error, and year-to-year fluctuations between a re-vised statistic for a year ending in 0 or 5 with neighboring yearsare likely to be subject to measurement error. There is some com-fort in our finding that many of the revisions are within 3 percentof the prior reported estimates. This caveat suggests that the dataare useful for showing long-term trends over decades but are moresensitive to measurement error in examining year-to-year changes.

A preliminary word on the organization of tables is also in or-der. Tables Bf188–270 report annual information on social welfare

spending under public programs based on the OECD definitionsfor the period 1929 to the mid-1990s. The tables offer a breakdownof social welfare spending for programs under each of the broadcategories of social insurance, public aid, health and medical pro-grams, veterans’ programs, education, public housing, and otherprograms. Many of the programs are funded by several layers ofgovernment; therefore, Table Bf196–211 shows the extent to whichfederal and state or local governments provide the funding for eachof the broad categories. Governments are not the only source ofsocial welfare spending. Tables Bf773–892 offer information onsocial welfare spending by private entities, which account for asmuch as 13 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in today’seconomy. Tables Bf271–772 offer information about specific pub-lic programs: the numbers of people affected, the monies spent,and the sources of funding. There are a large number of tablesin this area because the development of social welfare programsover the course of the twentieth century has been complicated. Thefederal, state, and local governments have developed an array ofprograms to meet different aspects of social welfare. Views havechanged about the optimal way to meet these goals. As a result,long-term programs have been redesigned, and even if they havekept the same name, the nature of data collection for the new goalschanges the series collected. In other cases, new agencies are de-veloped to take over the duties of the original program. Finally,new programs are added to the list. This has led us in some casesto report multiple overlapping series on the same issues.

Aggregate Trends

The dramatic increase in public social welfare spending in theUnited States has been one of the major economic trends in thetwentieth century. The broadest conceptual measure of public so-cial welfare spending is in series Bf188, which is the series col-lected by the SSA to be compatible with the OECD/ILO definitionsof public social welfare spending. Between 1929 and 1993, socialwelfare spending in public programs in 1992 dollars (adjusted forinflation by the GDP deflator) has grown at an average annual rateof 6.1 percent per year, nearly double the annual average growthrate of 3.3 percent for real GDP.1 To give a sense of the size ofpublic social welfare spending, it is useful to compare it to theoverall size of the economy by describing the spending as a com-parative percentage to GDP. There is one important caveat aboutthis comparison. When social welfare expenditures are comparedto GDP in percentage terms, it should not be presumed that this isthe contribution of social welfare expenditures to GDP. The GDP isdefined as the market value of the output of final goods and servicesin the economy, while a significant percentage of the social welfareexpenditures are transfer payments that would not be consideredas additions to the final goods and services measured by the GDP.

1 The annual average growth rate for social welfare spending between 1929 and1993 is calculated as [(S1993/S1929)(1/(1993−1929)) – 1]*100, where Syear refersto the value for the variable in that year. All other average annual growth ratesin the chapter are calculated in the same way using the endpoints of the periodexamined. The information on nominal GDP, GDP in 1992 dollars, and theGDP deflator used to convert nominal dollars to 1992 dollars is derived fromthe nominal and real GDP series rounded to billions of dollars that formed thebasis for the tables in the Council of Economic Advisors, Economic Report ofthe President Transmitted to Congress February 1998, pp. 280–2. In ChapterCa, there is an updated set of GDP numbers.


Percent

20

15

10

5

01930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990

PublicPrivate

Private(early method)

FIGURE Bf-B Public and private social welfare expenditures asa percentage of gross domestic product: 1929–1995SourceSeries Bf188, Bf773, and Bf781 expressed as a percentage of series Ca1.

Figure Bf-B shows that social welfare spending from publicsources rose from roughly 3.8 percent as large as GDP in 1929 to20.6 percent by 1993. The estimate for 1929 should be considereda very rough estimate because of our lack of accumulated statisticsfor state and local governments. However, it is likely that the truevalue is close to this figure. Estimates for 1890 and 1913 preparedfor Historical Statistics of the United States (1975) suggest thatpublic social welfare spending was approximately 2.4 percent aslarge as GDP in 1890 and 2.5 percent as large as GDP in 1913.2

Impressionistic comparisons seem consistent with these estimates.As seen in Chapter Bc, children have spent increasingly longerperiods of time in school over their lifetimes. Spending on veter-ans’ programs peaked between 1890 and 1913, as the number ofCivil War veterans began to dwindle. Old-age pension programswere typically provided for federal workers in 1920 before theywere available to most state and local governments. Finally, publicassistance spending by state and local governments was clearlymeager relative to the levels we see during and after the 1930s.Social welfare spending spiked above 10 percent as large as GDPduring the mid-1930s owing to a combination of low output duringthe heart of the Great Depression and the large-scale public assis-tance spending by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) andother New Deal agencies. By the end of World War II, social wel-fare spending had returned to pre-Depression percentages relativeto GDP. We then see its substantial rise over the course of the nextfifty years.

The rise in public social welfare spending during the twentiethcentury was accompanied by a substantial increase in the shareof social welfare spending from federal funds (calculated fromTable Bf196–211). It is not always obvious how to determine pre-cisely whether the federal government or the state and local gov-ernments are the source of the funds. Many programs involvedcombined activity by the state and local governments and the fed-eral government, and, in a number of cases, the federal govern-ment provides grants of funds to be administered by state and local

2 The estimates are based on Musgrave and Culbertson (1953) and J. FredericDewhurst and Associates (1955) and reports of official agencies. See U.S.Bureau of the Census (1975), pp. 330, 340–1.

governments in ways that might vary from state to state. The textfor Table Bf196–211 describes several situations where the SSAstatistics and the national income product accounts (NIPA) havetreated the source of the same grants differently. The descriptionthat follows is based on the decisions made by the SSA.

Estimates from Historical Statistics of the United States (1975)place the federal government’s share of social welfare spending in1890 at 36 percent, primarily as a result of the Civil War Pensionprogram. As the number of Civil War veterans declined, the federalshare fell to 20 percent by 1913 (see pp. 332, 341). In 1929, thefirst year of the SSA’s long-term time series, the federal govern-ment continued to fund about 20 percent of public social welfareexpenditures. The federal share spiked above 60 percent duringthe New Deal and was at 56 percent during the military mobiliza-tion and demobilization of World War II. A long-term secular risefollowed through the end of the Carter administration. Since theearly 1980s, the share has fallen slowly to below 60 percent, as thefederal government has sought to shift more of the responsibilityto state and local governments.

The data in Table Bf196–211 show that the federal share ofsocial welfare spending varies greatly across categories. The fed-eral government has always provided nearly all of the funding forveterans’ programs and the lion’s share of funding for public hous-ing projects and subsidies. In contrast, the federal share of publiceducational spending has traditionally been below 10 percent be-cause the focus of public educational spending is on elementaryand secondary schools, which are primarily the responsibility ofstate and local governments. After the New Deal fueled a dramaticincrease in federal activity, public aid has become largely a sharedresponsibility between the federal government and the state andlocal governments. Since 1929, the federal share of public socialinsurance expenditures has risen markedly from 20 percent in 1929to over 80 percent in the early 1990s. The rise is largely the resultof the rapid expansions in the federal old-age and Medicare pro-grams, which account for roughly 47 and 22 percent of social insur-ance expenditures, respectively (see series Bf189 and Bf214–215).State and local governments still provide workers’ compensationfor nonfederal government workers, administer roughly 80 percentof the funds for unemployment insurance, and operate public em-ployee retirement systems that account for 40 percent of the totalof federal, state, and local systems.

Social Insurance Programs

The leading contributor to the long-term rise in public social wel-fare expenditures has been social insurance programs (see seriesBf189 and table Bf212–224). As seen in Figure Bf-C, social insur-ance expenditures have risen from less than 1 percent as large asGDP in 1929 to 10 percent as large as GDP by 1993. The socialinsurance programs, as defined by the SSA, include the federal So-cial Security programs for Old-Age, Survivors Insurance (OASI)and Disability Insurance (DI); the Medicare programs for HospitalInsurance (HI) and Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI); thestate programs for workers’ compensation insurance; the federalBlack Lung Benefits program; temporary disability programs in ahandful of states; the federal–state programs for UnemploymentInsurance (UI); and retirement and disability programs for federalemployees (including the military), state and local employees, andrailroad workers. All these programs operate at least to some extent


Percent

10

9

8

7

5

6

3

4

2

1

0

1930 19501940 1960 1970 1980 1990

Socialinsurance

Education

Public aid

Veterans

FIGURE Bf-C Public social welfare expenditures as apercentage of gross domestic product, by type of program:1929–1995SourceSeries Bf189–190 and Bf192–193 expressed as a percentage of series Ca1.

DocumentationNot shown from Table Bf188–195 are the following lesser categories: healthand medical programs (series Bf191), housing (series Bf194), and other so-cial welfare programs (series Bf195). Together they accounted for 0.4 percentof gross domestic product in 1929 and 1.9 percent in 1995.

like insurance. Individuals and/or their employers pay premiumsor taxes into a fund. In turn, when the individual reaches old age, isdisabled, is unemployed, or is injured on the job, depending on theprogram, the individual receives payments. In actual operation, itis not always easy to draw the line between the programs definedas social insurance in the SSA statistics and those defined as publicassistance. For example, the aged persons receiving Social Secu-rity OASI payments in the early 1940s had contributed little, ifanything, into the program before they began receiving benefits.Further, many of the early cohorts receiving Social Security re-ceived more in benefits than they would have received if they hadcontributed the amounts to an actuarially sound private pensionfund.

Among the industrial nations, the United States was a late-comer in the widespread public provision of social insurance.Germany under Bismarck led the way in the 1880s with sickness,accident, old-age, and disability insurance programs. A number ofEuropean countries followed suit. Except for federal provisions forthe military, government provision of widespread social insurancedid not begin until the majority of states adopted workers’ compen-sation laws in the 1910s and the federal government establishedunemployment insurance and old-age insurance under the SocialSecurity Act of 1935. Only a handful of states have establishedtemporary disability insurance programs.3

3 The states establishing temporary disability programs are California, Hawai’i,New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island, as well as the territory of PuertoRico. There are also government-run railroad temporary disability programs.See Social Security Administration, SSBASS (1997), Table 9.C.1.

Old-Age and Disability InsuranceThe earliest forms of social insurance by the federal governmentwere limited to disability pension programs for the military (Clark,Craig, and Wilson, 1999, 2003). Before 1855, the military pensionsystems were primarily disability plans, with the notable excep-tion of officer’s pensions from the Revolutionary War. The Con-tinental Congress created the first military pension plan for navalpersonnel in November 1775 and an army plan a year later. Sub-sequent revisions to the army plan offered life annuities to officerswho remained in the line for the duration of the war. In addition,several colonies offered plans for their militia and naval person-nel. All these plans were compromised by the woeful financialstate of Revolutionary public finance. Eventually, the Revolution-ary pensions were reorganized and ultimately assumed by the fed-eral government after ratification of the Constitution. At that time,the army plan was placed on a “pay-as-you-go” basis, but until itsbankruptcy in 1842, the navy plan was funded with monies fromthe liquidation of prizes. Veterans of subsequent military conflicts,most conspicuously the War of 1812 and the Mexican War, wereoffered similar plans. Although confusion surrounding antebellumpension records makes an exact accounting problematic, by 1861roughly 10,500 veterans, widows, or dependents were receiving$1,036,064 in pensions benefits, most of which was for disabili-ties. In 1855, Congress created the first systematic retirement planfor naval officers. In 1861, that plan was revised, and army officerswere included. The Act of 1861, and its subsequent amendments,allowed officers to retire at 75 percent of their active-duty pay afterforty years of service. The Civil War, which began in the sameyear, added substantially to the pension rolls and the pressure onthe Treasury to finance those liabilities (Clark, Craig, and Wilson,1999, 2003). The benefits expanded more widely after the CivilWar because of the substantial percentage of the Northern popu-lation that participated in the Civil War and later became eligiblefor Civil War veterans’ disability pensions. Definitions of eligibil-ity were broadened enough over time that the Civil War disabilityprogram has been considered a precursor of old-age programs forthe general public.4

Prior to 1920, nonmilitary civil servants received pensions ona case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Congress. The federalgovernment established retirement programs for all federal em-ployees under the 1920 Civil Service Retirement Act (Graebner1980; Johnson and Libecap 1994; Craig 1995). Since 1987, the

4 See Skocpol (1992) and Orloff (1993), pp. 134–7. The original law for CivilWar pensions in 1862 extended only to soldiers actually injured in combat orto dependents of those killed or disabled. As a result, expenditures on CivilWar pensions began declining in the 1870s. The 1879 Arrears Act allowedsoldiers who “discovered” Civil War–related disabilities to sign up and receivein one lump sum all the payments they would have been eligible for since the1860s. In 1890, the Dependent Pension Act severed the tie to combat-relatedinjuries; any veteran serving ninety days in the military was eligible if at somepoint he became disabled for manual labor. In practice, old age alone becamea sufficient disability. A 1906 law declared that the age of 62 and over was apermanent specific disability within the meaning of the pension laws. At the turnof the century, about 15 percent of the elderly in America were receiving CivilWar pensions because veterans accounted for about 30 percent of Americanmen over age 65. In the North and Midwest, the proportion receiving pensionswas about 40 to 48 percent. Confederate veterans were left out of the system,although some states provided pensions. Georgia was the most generous, witha pension that was less than one seventh as generous as the Northern pensionof $360 per year.


federal employee retirement programs have been in transition. Al-most all new federal employees hired after 1983 are now under theFederal Employees Retirement System (FERS), which combinesSocial Security benefits, a basic benefit plan, and opportunities foremployees to save in tax-deferred annuities similar to 401(k) plans.Employees hired prior to 1983 are still under the Civil Service Re-tirement System but have the option to transfer to the FERS.5

As of 1929, retirement programs for public employees, includ-ing the military (series Bf217), accounted for roughly one third ofsocial insurance expenditures, while state workers’ compensationprograms (series Bf223) accounted for roughly two thirds. Expen-ditures for public employee retirement programs have continuedto expand at an average annual rate nearly 2.4 times as fast asreal GDP, as public employment has expanded and benefit levelshave increased (see Tables Bf290–348 and Bf735–745) Even so,the expansion of other social insurance programs has been evenmore rapid, such that the public employees’ share of public socialinsurance expenditures has declined to 22 percent in the 1990s.

Prior to the 1930, there were virtually no old-age insuranceprograms for the general public that resemble the current SocialSecurity old-age pension plan. Between 1915 and 1935, twenty-eight states and two territories passed “old-age pension” plans.These programs appear to be largely relief programs for the agedwith low incomes that would allow them to live outside institutions(Stevens 1970, pp. 20–4; Quadagno 1988, pp. 51–75; Costa 1998pp. 166–7). In compliance with the SSA’s categories, we discussthem in more detail in the section on public assistance programs. Asthe Depression deepened, the federal government became involvedin providing public assistance, and there was substantial grassrootspublic pressure for some type of federal old-age pension plan.6 TheSocial Security Act of 1935 established the OASI (the bulk of seriesBf214) and UI (the bulk of series Bf218) programs. In 1957 theprogram was expanded to include DI, and in 1966 the Medicare HIand SMI programs were established for the elderly (series Bf215).

The railroads led the way in establishing private retirement pen-sion programs beginning in 1874. In the 1930s, the federal gov-ernment established railroad social insurance systems that wereseparate from the Social Security systems. The railroad system forretirement was established in 1934, 1935, and 1937 (series Bf216and Table Bf746–761); for unemployment in 1938 (series Bf219and Table Bf497–510); and for temporary disability benefits in1946 (series Bf220).7 Because railroad employment has declinedover the past thirty years, expenditures on temporary disabilityand unemployment insurance in the railroad systems peaked in theearly 1960s, while expenditures in the railroad retirement systempeaked in the early 1980s.

Even though the first old-age pension checks were not issued un-til 1940, the Social Security and Railroad Retirement Acts immedi-ately gave retirement coverage to a large segment of the population.

5 See the text for Table Bf735–745 for more specific details on the operationof the Civil Service Retirement System and the FERS.6 For discussions and other sources on the introduction of Social Security andlater amendments to the law, see Graebner (1980), chapter 7; Weaver (1982);Ball (1988); Berkowitz and McQuaid (1992); Costa (1998), Chapter 8; andSchieber and Shoven (1999).7 See also Tables Bf290–348 for information on beneficiaries and paymentsunder the railroad systems. The 1934 version of the Railroad Retirement lawwas declared unconstitutional and replaced by a new act in 1935. For a descrip-tion of the introduction of the Railroad Retirement law, see Graebner (1980),pp. 153–80.

Employees with wages and salaries equivalent to roughly 85 per-cent of total wages and salaries were covered by OASI retirementprograms by 1937 (see series Bf272 and Bf274). After droppingduring World War II to a low of 72 percent, the figure rose toits long-run level of over 95 percent in the mid-1950s. The self-employed were not covered by the Old-Age, Survivors, Disability,and Health Insurance (OASDHI) system until the 1950 amend-ments to the Social Security Act. The earnings of the self-employedcovered by the OASDHI system (series Bf279) expanded veryrapidly during the 1950s, as additional amendments to the SocialSecurity Act expanded the types of self-employment covered underthe Act.

Since the introduction of Social Security, there has been a sig-nificant rise in life expectancy, a significant population growthduring the baby boom, and an increase in labor force participationby women. All these factors have contributed to a substantial in-crease in the number of workers with earnings that are taxable forcontributions to the OASDHI trust funds (series Bf381). Althoughthe number of workers with taxable earnings has increased rapidlyover the past six decades, the benefits paid out to Social Securityrecipients have risen at an even faster pace. After the Social Se-curity Act was amended in 1939 to allow the OASI to become apay-as-you-go system funded by contributions of taxes by currentworkers, the size of the tax burden on current workers has risendramatically over time. Average earnings per worker in coveredemployment have risen at an average annual rate of roughly 1.6percent per year from $9,382 in 1937 to $22,618 in 1997 (1992dollars in both cases). Yet, the rise in benefits paid has been evenfaster. OASI benefits in 1992 dollars per worker with taxable earn-ings started at a low of around $10 when the old-age benefits werefirst paid out in 1940 and have risen to just under $2,000 per workerwith taxable earnings in the 1990s.

The rise in the tax burden has been driven by expansions incoverage, increases in average benefits, a rise in the percentageof the population reaching retirement age, and an increase in thelongevity of the retirees. Since 1940, the number of families re-ceiving old-age benefits per wage earner reporting taxable incomesin Table Bf-D has increased from below 1 per 100 to nearly 19 per100 in the early 1990s. The OASI program provides benefits notonly to the retired and their dependents but also to the survivorsof deceased workers. Following World War II, generally 70 to 80percent of the benefits in the OASI program have been paid tothe retired workers and their dependents with the remainder goingto the survivors of deceased workers (see series Bf396–397 andBf401). As a result, the number of families receiving survivor ben-efits has risen to about 4 families per 100 wage earners reportingtaxable income.

The SSA began paying benefits to disabled workers in 1959under the DI program, and the number of beneficiary families ofdisabled workers has risen to a similar level of about 4 families forevery 100 wage earners (series Bf416–421).8 It is anticipated thatas the baby boom generation reaches retirement age, the numberof families receiving OASI and DI benefits will continue to riserelative to the number of wage earners, putting increasing pressureon the Social Security system.

The increase in the number of families receiving benefits hasbeen driven partly by increases in the life span of the retirees as

8 For a discussion of the introduction of DI, see Berkowitz and McQuaid (1992),pp. 136–41, 186–8; and Weaver (1982), pp. 137–40.


TABLE Bf-D Long-term changes in key indicators for the Old-Age, Survivors Insurance program under SocialSecurity: 1940–1996

Ratios to the number of Ratio of benefits to average monthly earnings ofworkers with taxable earnings workers in covered employment

Retired-worker familyAverage

OASI benefits earnings of Survivor family: Disabled-worker MaximumRetired-worker paid per worker workers in widowed mother family: worker, benefit payable

Workers families receiving Survivor families with taxable covered Male Female or father and spouse, and to men atfully insured old-age benefits receiving benefits earnings employment worker only worker only one child one child retirement

Year Ratio Ratio Ratio 1992 dollars 1992 dollars Ratio Ratio Ratio Ratio Ratio

1940 0.68 0.003 0.001 9 9,382 0.27 0.22 0.40 — 0.491950 1.24 0.036 0.010 109 12,439 0.24 0.18 0.41 — 0.241960 1.16 0.108 0.027 633 15,712 0.26 0.20 0.43 0.61 0.391970 1.16 0.140 0.039 1,015 18,735 0.27 0.21 0.45 0.55 0.401980 1.24 0.169 0.041 1,541 19,492 0.38 0.30 0.63 0.74 0.58

1990 1.23 0.183 0.038 1,783 21,621 0.40 0.31 0.60 0.63 0.581996 1.22 0.184 0.035 1,913 22,618 0.40 0.31 0.59 0.60 0.60

(continued)

Percentage of recipients Percentage of recipients Tax rates for employerage 80 and older accepting reduced benefits and employee each

Maximum OASI trust fundMale Female Male Female OASI DI HI taxable earnings assets

Million 1992Year Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent 1992 dollars dollars

1940 1.8 0.6 — — 1.00 — — 27,901 18,8891950 7.1 3.7 — — 1.50 — — 16,408 75,0461960 12.1 7.2 — 33.4 2.75 0.25 — 20,627 87,3361970 15.9 14.4 35.9 58.5 3.65 0.55 0.60 25,590 106,4751980 15.6 18.3 54.8 69.1 4.52 0.56 1.05 42,931 37,831

1990 16.6 22.7 64.6 72.6 5.60 0.60 1.45 54,806 228,8341996 18.5 25.9 68.0 74.4 5.26 0.94 1.45 56,890 453,165

SourcesGDP deflator used to convert nominal dollars to 1992 dollars: the deflatorderived from the nominal and real GDP series rounded to billions of dollarsthat formed the basis for tables in the Council of Economic Advisors, Eco-nomic Report of the President Transmitted to Congress February 1998 (U.S.Government Printing Office, 1998), pp. 280–2.

Workers with taxable earnings: series Bf381.Workers fully insured for retirement or survivor benefits: series Bf377.Retired-worker families receiving old-age benefits: sum of series Bf408

and Bf411.Survivor families receiving benefits: sum of series Bf412–415.Benefits paid: series Bf395.

Average annual earnings of workers in covered employment: series Bf384divided by series Bf381. Average monthly earnings of workers in covered em-ployment: average annual earnings divided by 12.

Ratio of benefits to average earnings of workers in covered employment:series Bf462, Bf463, Bf466, Bf472, and Bf474, each expressed as a ratio tothe average monthly earnings of workers in covered employment.

Percentage of beneficiaries age 80 and over: series Bf431 and Bf441.Percentage of beneficiaries accepting reduced benefits: for men, series

Bf425 and Bf435.Tax rates for employer and employee each: series Bf389–391.Maximum taxable earnings: series Bf386.OASI trust fund assets: series Bf451.

well as increasing numbers of people accepting reduced benefitsfor early retirement. The average age of retired-workers benefi-ciaries has risen by 5 years for males and 6.4 years for femalesbetween 1940 and 1996 (series Bf426 and Bf436). Meanwhile thepercentage of beneficiaries aged 80 and over in Table Bf-D hasrisen from below 2 percent in 1940 to over 18.5 percent for malesand 25.9 percent for females in 1996. These averages and percent-ages understate the true rise in life expectancy because women andmen became eligible to draw reduced benefits at age 62 in 1956and 1961, respectively.9 The monthly benefits are reduced to allow

9 As of 1997, the reduction in OASI benefits for a person who accepted benefitsbetween age 62 and the retirement age of 65 (rising to 67 next decade) wasfive ninths of 1 percent for each month of entitlement prior to age 65 up to amaximum of 20 percent.

for the increased length of time that the retired worker accepts thebenefits.10 Despite these administrative reductions in benefits, the

10 The SSA reports average monthly benefits for those with full benefits andthose with reductions for early acceptance. The ratio of average monthly benefitspaid to beneficiaries with reduced benefits to average monthly benefits for thosewith full benefits has remained stable at around 75 percent for both men andwomen since 1985 (see Table Bf476–483). The ratio gives the impression thatpeople lose more from early retirement than they actually do. Through 1979, theSSA came up with a calculation of what workers who had reductions for earlyretirement would have received without the reduction (see Table Bf476–483).The ratios of the average reduced benefits to the average benefits they wouldhave received without reduction were roughly 90 percent over the period. Thus,the differences between average benefits for early retirees and regular retirees iscaused by difference in the lifetime labor force participation, age at retirement,and possible income differences at the time of retirement of the two groups.


percentage of male beneficiaries accepting reduced benefits listedin Table Bf-D has risen from less than 5 percent to 68 percent in1996, while the percentage for women has risen from 7.5 percentin 1956 to 74.4 percent in 1996.

Another contributor to the rise in spending on Old-Age, Sur-vivors, and Disability Insurance pensions has been a long-term risein average monthly benefits. Over the past fifty-five years, the aver-age monthly benefits reported in Table Bf461–475 have risen fasterthan the average monthly earnings for wage and salary earnerscovered by Social Security (series Bf381 and Bf384). Figure Bf-Eshows the ratio of average monthly family benefits to the monthlyearnings of wage earners for several different retirement categories.During the 1940s, benefits rose very slowly in nominal terms, andbeneficiaries lost ground relative to inflation and average monthlyearnings. In the 1950 Social Security Amendments, Congress ad-justed benefits upward to accommodate for much of the lost groundduring the 1940s. Through periodic adjustments, Congress keptthe ratio of benefits to earnings roughly stable through the 1960s.In 1972, Congress established cost of living adjustment (COLA)clauses that allowed benefits to rise with the rate of inflation. Dur-ing the 1970s, the ratio of benefit levels to monthly earnings rosesharply by roughly 40 to 60 percent. The rapid growth in the 1970scaused Congress to establish new benefit computation rules in 1977

Ratio

0.8

0.7

0.6

0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0.01940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000

Disabled-worker family:worker, spouse,and one child

Survivor family:widowed mother orfather and one child Retired worker family:

male worker only

Retired worker family:female worker only

FIGURE Bf-E Old-Age, Survivors, and DisabilityInsurance – ratio of the family benefit to average earningsof workers in covered employment, by family type:1940–1998SourceCalculated from series Bf381, Bf384, Bf462–463, Bf466, and Bf472.

DocumentationThis figure is based on average monthly benefits received by various typesof families under the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI)program. Four family types are displayed: disabled-worker family (worker,spouse, and one child), series Bf472; survivor family (widowed mother orfather and one child), series Bf466; retired-worker family (male worker only),series Bf462; and retired-worker family (female worker only), series Bf463.These monthly benefits are displayed here as a ratio of the average monthlyearnings for wage and salary earners covered by OASDI, which is computedfrom series Bf381 and Bf384.

for workers who became newly eligible or died after 1978.11 Since1980 male retired workers have received average monthly benefitsthat are about 40 percent of the average monthly earnings in cov-ered employment (series Bf462). Disabled-worker families havenot fared as well (series Bf469–474). In figure Bf-E, the monthlybenefits for a disabled worker with a wife and one child startedat 60 percent of the average workers’ monthly earning when theprogram was introduced in 1958. They then dropped to around50 percent by 1969 and then started a sharp climb to 74 percentin the early 1980s. However, by the 1990s disabled-worker ben-efits had fallen back to around 60 percent. For comparisons ofmonthly benefits paid to different genders, see Tables Bf-D andBf476–483.

MedicareStudies in the early 1960s showed that the majority of elderly whohad applied for means-tested public assistance to the elderly hadbeen seeking help to pay their medical bills.12 Congress respondedby amending Title II of the Social Security Act in 1965 to establishMedicare, a health insurance program for the aged. The Medicareprogram consists of two separate but coordinated programs: PartA, Hospital Insurance; and Part B, Supplementary Medical Insur-ance. Expenditures on the Medicare program since 1966 accountfor a substantial part of the increase in social insurance expendi-tures. Starting at zero in 1965, Medicare expenditures accountedfor 22.5 percent of all social insurance expenditures in 1993 andwere 2.25 percent as large as GDP (see series Bf215).

The HI program is funded by the HI taxes collected from wageand salary earnings (see series Bf391 and Bf394) and thereforeis available to all Social Security recipients without payment ofany monthly insurance premiums. The HI program tries to usebasic insurance methods to limit overuse of hospital services byrequiring that the insured pay deductibles and copayments, whichare described in Table Bf535–544. Persons who do not qualify forSocial Security benefits but who obtain SMI may purchase HI fora monthly premium, which rose from $33 in 1973 to $311 in 1997(series Bf539).

The Medicare program also offers voluntary SMI coveragefor physicians’ visits and other medical services (see the text forTable Bf545–557). After individuals reach the proper age or dis-ability status, they can purchase insurance for a monthly premium,which is deducted from the individual’s Social Security check (seeseries Bf542). The government supplements this premium from

11 Generally, all the retirement and survivor series follow a similar path relativeto monthly earnings (series Bf461–468 compared with average monthly earn-ings for wage and salary earners covered by Social Security, which is calculatedas series Bf384 divided by series Bf381 and then divided by 12). The averagemonthly benefits are influenced by demographic factors and variations in thelifetime labor force activities of the retirees and the survivors. For detaileddescriptions about the formulas used to calculate benefits, see Social SecurityAdministration, SSBASS (1997), pp. 39–75. The maximum benefits for men inthe year they retire give an indication of the potential earnings. The maximumstarted at about 50 percent of average monthly earnings, dropped during the1940s, steadied at about 40 percent in the 1950s and 1960s, jumped above 60percent in the early 1980s, dipped in the late 1980s, and has stayed around 60percent in the 1990s (see series Bf475 compared with average monthly earningsfor wage and salary workers covered by Social Security).12 For more discussion of the introduction of Medicare, see Weaver (1982),pp. 151–8.


general revenues (series Bf543–544). The insured pays a deductibleof the first $100 for medical care during the year and then a copay-ment of 20 percent of the cost of treatment (series Bf540–541). TheSMI program aspect of Medicare is partially funded by premiumsfrom purchasers of the insurance, with the remainder largely basedon general tax revenues because there is no specific tax designatedfor this program. The premiums paid by participants (series Bf559)covered over 50 percent of the expenditures on medical coverageunder the SMI plan (series Bf564) in the early 1970s. Since 1979,premiums have covered less than 30 percent of the costs of themedical coverage provided.

Because health care costs have risen sharply since 1966 – theconsumer price index (CPI) for medical care has risen by an aver-age annual rate of 7.3 percent per year – the Medicare program hasraised premiums and deductibles at an even faster average annualrate of 10 percent per year for the HI inpatient hospital deductible(series Bf535) and 13 percent per year for the SMI monthly pre-mium (series Bf542). The Medicare program has tried to controlcosts further by limiting the amounts that hospitals and physicianscan receive in payment for treatments.

Funding the Old-Age, Survivors, Disability, and HospitalInsurance ProgramsWhen the OASI system was originally established in 1935, theoriginal intent of the Roosevelt administration appears to havebeen to establish a pension fund with accumulated reserves, al-though the initial tax rate established was below the levels neededto make the fund actuarially sound. Congress and the adminis-tration abandoned this goal with the Social Security Amendmentof 1939 (Meriam 1946, p. 87; Weaver 1982, pp. 111–24; McSteen1985, p. 39; Quadagno 1988, pp. 119–21; Berkowitz and McQuaid1992, pp. 123–5, 130–6; Schieber and Shoven 1999, pp. 49–76).Since 1940, the OASDHI program has been a pay-as-you-go sys-tem funded by taxes on earnings for wage and salary workers andthe self-employed. Workers and employers each pay a separate andmatching tax (the self-employed pay the combined rate for work-ers and employers) to the federal government to fund the system.The rapid long-term rise in beneficiaries relative to the workingpopulation and the increase in average benefits relative to averageworkers’ earnings has led to increases in the tax rates to fund thevarious programs. As seen in Table Bf-D, with only the OASI pro-gram to fund, the OASI tax rate was 1 percent for employers and1 percent for workers on incomes up to $3,000 in the late 1930s and1940s. The OASI tax rate has risen to 5.35 percent each in 1999on incomes up to $72,600. The introduction of DI in 1957 tackedon an additional tax of 0.25 percent, which rose to 0.85 percent in1997. Finally, the introduction of Medicare led to an additional taxof 0.35 percent, which since quadrupled to 1.45 percent in 1997.As of 1999, the total OASDHI tax rate paid by the worker was 7.65percent, which was matched by the same 7.65 percent rate paid bythe employer (see Table Bf377–394).

Not only has the tax rate risen, but the annual earnings subjectto the tax rate have risen faster than the average workers’ averageannual earnings. Total earnings subject to tax have risen close to90 percent of the earnings of covered workers (series Bf385 di-vided by series Bf384), while the percentage of workers reachingthe maximum has fallen from 36 percent in 1965 to less than 6 per-cent in the early 1990s. The rise in earnings subject to Medicare

taxes followed the same path until the 1990s and then the OmnibusBudget Reconciliation Act of 1993 repealed the maximum. TheOASDHI taxes are in many ways more regressive than the incometax. While the income tax does not apply to the lowest incomeearners, the OASDHI taxes are drawn on the first dollar of earn-ings. Further, the maximum limits on earnings subject to tax meanthat the earners in the top 5 percent of the income distribution donot pay taxes on income beyond the limits. However, it should benoted that the working poor receive some relief from the OASDHIpayroll taxes through the earned income tax credit.

The monies from the OASDHI taxes go into trust funds andare to be paid out of these trust funds. The information on as-sets, receipts, and expenditures for the OASI trust fund appearsin Table Bf442–460. The government still maintains a trust fund.Certainly, discussions of the trust fund have dominated the discus-sions of Social Security in the political arena of the 1990s. It is apay-as-you-go system with taxpayers paying the OASDHI taxesinto the trust fund each year and benefits being paid out each yearwithout a tight actuarial relationship between the two. In fact, theinitial recipients of the Social Security benefits received a relativelylarge subsidy compared to the amounts that they paid into the sys-tem. Each succeeding generation that reached retirement has paidin taxes an increasing share of the pension benefits they received.The programs are sound in the sense that should the benefit claimsexceed the monies allocated for benefits in the trust fund, the gov-ernment is able to redirect resources away from other governmentexpenditures to pay the benefits.

Assets in the OASI trust fund slowly built up from 1937 through1956 in both real and nominal terms because it took time forthe benefits paid each year to rise slowly toward 100 percent ofreceipts collected. The trust fund stayed relatively stable untilthe early 1980s when increases in tax rates and the arrival of thebaby boom bulge in their prime working years caused assets in thefund in 1992 dollars to rise twelve-fold between 1984 and 1996.The process for funding the Medicare HI program is similar (seeTable Bf558–567 for details), although assets in the fund declineddrastically in 1982 when Congress allowed the OASI trust fundto borrow nearly half the fund to meet a substantial gap betweenreceipts and expenditures. When the loan was repaid in 1985 and1986, the assets rose sharply and continued to rise through 1992as a result of an increase in the HI tax (series Bf391). During the1990s there has been extensive discussion of possible problemswith the Medicare trust fund because benefit expenditures haveexceeded payroll tax collections. The shortfall in tax collectionshas the potential to increase in the future because the ratio of tax-payers to those eligible for Medicare is expected to fall, while theelderly population is living longer and health care costs per personare expected to increase.

The assets of the trust fund are largely “invested” in governmentsecurities (see series Bf451–452). The government securities arepromises by the federal government to repay the principal of thesecurities plus the stated interest back into the fund sometime inthe future. In essence, the federal government has been borrowingmoney from the trust fund assets each year to fund current gov-ernment spending on programs other than Social Security. Peoplehave begun to worry because the baby boom generation is expectedto begin reaching retirement age during the period 2010 to 2030,and the number of recipients per worker is expected to rise sharply.Given a continuation of the status quo, we can anticipate that the


assets in the trust fund eventually will be depleted, as expenditureson benefits exceed OASI tax receipts. Thus, the payment of So-cial Security benefits will begin to be covered by other tax receipts,leaving less room for funding of other government programs unlessthere are cuts in OASI benefits or increases in the OASI taxes.13

Workers’ CompensationAt the turn of the century, prior to the introduction of state work-ers’ compensation laws, workers could obtain compensation forworkplace accidents under the common law if they could showthat the employer was negligent. However, such a worker mightstill be denied compensation if the employer could invoke any ofthree defenses: The worker had known about and assumed the risk(assumption of risk); the worker’s own negligence had contributedto the accident (contributory negligence); or a fellow worker hadcaused the accident (fellow-servant). A study analyzing severalstate surveys of families of workers who died in workplace acci-dents found that between 1900 and 1910 about half of such familiesreceived some compensation from the worker’s employer, primar-ily in out-of-court settlements. The average compensation for thosefamilies who received a positive amount was about a year’s income.When workers’ compensation was introduced in the various statesin the 1910s, all workers who experienced accidents arising out ofor in the course of employment were to receive compensation. Thepresent value of the streams of payments for fatal accidents rangedfrom roughly two to four times annual income across the states.The average amount of accident compensation received by injuredworkers and the families of fatalities probably went up between70 to 200 percent with the introduction of workers’ compensation(Fishback and Kantor 2000, Chapters 2 and 3).

During the late 1890s and early 1900s a number of statespassed employer liability laws to limit some of the employers’ de-fenses.14 In the railroad industry, the Federal Employer LiabilityAct (FELA) of 1908 retained negligence liability but eliminated thefellow-servant defense and weakened the contributory negligencedefenses. The assumption-of-risk defense was later eliminated in1939. Common law rules of negligence without the three defensescontinue to govern workplace accident compensation for railroadworkers today.15

Dissatisfaction with the existing common law system and theresults of employer liability laws led employers, workers, and in-surance companies to press for the enactment of workers’ compen-sation, which would eliminate the fault basis for compensation.The federal government led the way by establishing a workers’compensation law for federal employees in 1908. As shown inTable Bf-F, between 1911 and 1920 forty-three states enactedworkers’ compensation laws to require employers to provide com-pensation for all accidents arising out of and in the course of em-ployment that caused a worker to lose more than a few days ofworking time. The laws established basic parameters for compen-sation of injuries. After a waiting period of a few days, workers

13 For additional discussions of earlier crises and the potential crisis in financingSocial Security and Medicare, see Weaver (1982); Berkowitz and McQuaid(1992); Wolfe (1993); Murphy and Welch (1998); and Schieber and Shoven(1999).14 For descriptions of these laws, see Fishback and Kantor (2000),Appendix G.15 For a description of the Railroad Compensation system, see TransportationResearch Board (1994) and Kim and Fishback (1993).

would receive up to two thirds of their wages during the periodof their disability, although the payments were typically cappedby a weekly maximum. In turn, employers were required eitherto purchase insurance from a private or state fund, depending onthe state, or to show that they had adequate resources to cover pay-ments to injured workers. Workers’ compensation rules vary acrossstates along several dimensions. More detail on the variations inrules through 1929 can be found in Fishback and Kantor (2000),and information for the modern era is available in annual volumestitled Analysis of Workers’ Compensation Laws, published by theU.S. Chamber of Commerce.

The number of workers covered by workers’ compensation rosequickly when the states began adopting a permanent law during thatperiod. When workers’ compensation was first introduced, a num-ber of types of employment were exempted, including agriculturalworkers, domestic servants, many railroad workers in interstatecommerce, and, in some states, workers in nonhazardous employ-ments. Further, workers hired by employers with fewer than threeto five workers (varying by state) are exempted from the law. By1940 employees earning wages and salaries accounting for 75 per-cent of wage and salary disbursements were covered by workers’compensation laws (series Bf283 divided by series Bf273). At thetime that Mississippi, the last state to adopt workers’ compen-sation, adopted in 1948, the percentage rose to about 78.1 per-cent. Since that time, a decline in domestic servitude, railroading,and agricultural employment, as well as expansions of workers’compensation coverage, has led to payroll coverage of about 92percent.

Since 1929, real expenditures on workers’ compensation pro-grams, which continue to be administered by the states, have grownat an average annual rate of 5 percent per year (series Bf223, ad-justed for inflation by the GDP deflator). The growth has beencaused by expansions in the coverage of injuries and occupationaldiseases, as well as increases in benefits, even though workplaceaccident rates have declined since the beginning of the century.16

Workers’ compensation costs as a percentage of covered payrollgenerally stayed around 1 percent until the late 1960s and early1970; since then, costs have risen along a strong upward trendto nearly 2.5 percent in 1990 (series Bf520). The rise was drivenin part by increased payments for benefits and medical coverage(series Bf521), as well as the introduction of the Black Lung Ben-efits program for coal miners in 1969.17 The rise in benefits can

16 Although workers’ compensation was originally established to insure work-ers again workplace accidents, the programs in most states were expandedto cover occupation-related diseases. Starting with California in 1915, statesbegan expanding the coverage of workers’ compensation laws to include pay-ments to workers’ disabled by occupational diseases. By 1939, twenty-threestates covered at least some occupational diseases. The states include California(1915), North Dakota (1925), Minnesota (1927), Connecticut (1930), Kentucky(1930), New York (1930), Illinois (1931), Missouri (1931), New Jersey (1931),Ohio (1931), Massachussetts (1932), Nebraska (1935), North Carolina (1935),Wisconsin (1935), West Virginia (1935), Rhode Island (1936), Delaware(1937), Indiana (1937), Michigan (1937), Pennsylvania (1937), Washington(1937), Idaho (1939), and Maryland (1939) (Balkan 1998, p. 64). As of July1953, every state but Mississippi and Wyoming had at least some coveragefor occupation diseases (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 1953, p. 21). By the1980s, all states had some form of coverage.17 The workers’ compensation series on costs as a percentage of the coveredpayroll contains some employer contributions to the Black Lung Benefits pro-gram, while the benefits series does not include benefits associated with theBlack Lung Benefits program.


TABLE Bf-F The presence of state social welfare programs in the early 1900s

Workers’ Compensation: Aid to the Blind: makingyear permanently Mothers’ Pensions: year Old-Age Pensions: year cash payments as of

State enacted enacted (through 1935) enacted (through 1935) August 1, 1935

Alabama 1919 1931 — NoAlaska 1915 1917 1915 NoArizona 1913 1917 1933 NoArkansas 1939 1917 — YesCalifornia 1911 1913 1929 YesColorado 1915 1912 1927 YesConnecticut 1913 1919 — YesDelaware 1917 1917 1931 NoFlorida 1935 1919 — NoGeorgia 1920 — — NoHawai’i 1915 1919 1933 NoIdaho 1917 1913 1931 YesIllinois 1911 1911 — YesIndiana 1915 1919 1933 YesIowa 1913 1913 1934 YesKansas 1911 1915 — YesKentucky 1916 1928 1926 YesLouisiana 1914 1920 — YesMaine 1915 1917 1933 YesMaryland 1912 1916 1927 YesMassachusetts 1911 1913 1930 NoMichigan 1912 1913 1933 NoMinnesota 1913 1913 1929 YesMississippi 1948 1928 — NoMissouri 1926 1917 — YesMontana 1915 1915 1923 NoNebraska 1913 1913 1933 YesNevada 1913 1913 1925 YesNew Hampshire 1911 1913 1931 YesNew Jersey 1911 1913 1931 YesNew Mexico 1917 1931 — NoNew York 1913 1915 1930 YesNorth Carolina 1929 1923 — NoNorth Dakota 1919 1915 1933 NoOhio 1911 1913 1933 YesOklahoma 1915 1915 — YesOregon 1913 1913 1933 YesPennsylvania 1915 1913 1934 YesRhode Island 1912 1923 — NoSouth Carolina 1935 — — NoSouth Dakota 1917 1913 — NoTennessee 1919 1915 — NoTexas 1913 1917 — NoUtah 1917 1913 1929 YesVermont 1915 1917 — NoVirginia 1918 1918 — NoWashington 1911 1913 1933 YesWest Virginia 1913 1915 1931 NoWisconsin 1911 1913 1925 YesWyoming 1915 1915 1929 Yes

SourcesWorkers’ compensation laws: Fishback and Kantor (2000), pp. 103–4.

Mothers’ Pension laws: for laws enacted prior to 1920, see Thompson(1919), pp. 7–11; and for laws enacted after 1920, see Skocpol (1992),p. 457. See also Moehling (2002).

Old-Age Pensions: Stevens (1970), pp. 20–4; and U.S. Committee onEconomic Security (1937), pp. 160–71.

Aid to the Blind: “Public Provision for Pensions for the Blind in 1934,”Monthly Labor Review 41 (3) (September 1935): 584–601; reprinted in Stevens(1970), pp. 29–31.

DocumentationWorkers’ compensation laws. The year listed is the date at which a perma-nent law was enacted. New York passed a compulsory law in 1910 and anelective law in 1910, but the compulsory law was declared unconstitutional,and the elective law saw little use. New York passed a compulsory law in 1913after passing a constitutional amendment. Kentucky originally enacted a law

in 1914, but that law was declared unconstitutional. The permanent lawfor Kentucky was enacted in 1916. The Missouri General Assembly passeda workers’ compensation law in 1919, but it failed to receive enough votesin a referendum in 1920. Another law passed in 1921 was defeated in areferendum in 1922 and an initiative on the ballot was again defeated in1924. Missouri voters finally approved a workers’ compensation law in a1926 referendum on a 1925 legislative act (see Kantor and Fishback 1994).Maryland (1902) and Montana (1909) passed earlier laws specific to minersthat were declared unconstitutional.

Mothers’ Pension laws. State provisions in Missouri (1911), California (pre-1913), Wisconsin (1912), Michigan (1911), and Oklahoma (1908) endowedfunds similar to Mothers’ Pensions in indirect ways. Some of the provisionswere limited to specific cities, and others were indirect means of provid-ing funds to dependent children. Arizona in a 1914 referendum passeda Mothers’ Pension and Old-Age Pension system that hinged on the abol-ishment of the almshouses in the state, but it was found unconstitutional

(continued)


TABLE Bf-F The presence of state social welfare programs in the early 1900s Continued

(Thompson 1919, pp. 7–9). The 1917 Arizona law was also considered“unworkable,” and a new law was enacted in 1921 (Lundberg 1921). Moredetail on the specifics of Mothers’ Pension laws as of 1934 are availablein Stevens (1970), pp. 28–9, and U.S. Committee on Economic Security(1937), pp. 233–49. There is some disagreement about whether Alabamahad adopted a Mothers’ Pension law in 1931; members of the Children’sBureau and later the U.S. Social Security Administration considered the law

to be more in the nature of a poor-relief statute than the provision of long-term care for children (Abbott 1934; Bucklin 1939).

Old-Age Pensions. Arizona set up an Old-Age Pension subject to the elimi-nation of almshouses in a referendum in 1915, but the pension was declaredunconstitutional. Pennsylvania passed an Old-Age Pension law in 1923, butit was declared unconstitutional in 1924. Nevada also passed an act in 1923that was replaced by the 1925 act listed in this table.

be explained in part by a series of amendments to state laws in the1970s that sharply increased the weekly maximums that could bepaid for benefits.

During the 1980s and early 1990s, rising medical expenditureshave been a prime contributor to rising costs. Expenditures onmedical and hospital benefits have risen to 40 percent of workers’compensation expenditures since 1980 after accounting for lessthan one third of worker’s compensation expenditures for the restof the century (see series Bf224 as a percentage of series Bf223;see also series Bf513 as a percentage of series Bf512). In the early1990s, employers and insurers have begun managing their healthcare costs more closely and have limited the growth of medicalcosts. Similarly, disability benefits as a percentage of covered pay-roll have risen over time as reforms of workers’ compensationexpanded the range of workplace injuries and diseases covered(series Bf515 as a percentage of series Bf283). In contrast, thepercentage of the payrolls spent on paying the survivors of fatalaccidents has stayed relatively constant at below 0.1 percent fromthe 1940s through 1970 and again from the 1980s to the present.There is one blip in the survivors of fatally injured series that needssome explanation (series Bf516). The percentage of covered pay-roll paid out to survivors of the fatally injured rose sharply between1970 and 1973 because the federal Black Lung Benefits programwas put into effect. The impact of the Black Lung Benefits pro-gram was so dramatic because of the accumulation of a number ofyears of survivors all being added to the system in the span of threeyears. As soon as the Black Lung Benefits program stabilized, thesurvivors’ benefits reached a steady state of about 0.1 percent ofthe payroll and have declined in the 1990s.

The general rise in workers’ compensation benefits as a shareof the payroll should not necessarily be considered a sign thatworkplaces have become more dangerous. Workers’ compensationhas increasingly provided benefits for a wide range of injuries anddiseases for which compensation would not have been awardedearlier in the century. The series on the occupational injury andillness rate for all occupations shows that the number of cases ofinjury and illness per 100 workers in the private sectors has fallenby 32 percent since 1972, while the number of lost workday caseshas stayed roughly constant (series Ba4750–4751).

Although the states establish the basic rules for compensation,employers can obtain insurance to cover their compensation re-sponsibilities from private insurance carriers in the majority ofstates and from government-sponsored insurance funds in roughlyhalf of the states, or employers can self-insure as long as theydemonstrate sufficient resources to handle their benefit obligations.Between the end of World War II and 1970, the distribution ofbenefits paid by these various insurers stayed relatively constant.The percentage of benefits paid by private insurers was roughly62 percent, by state and federal funds roughly 25 percent, and by

self-insurers about 12 to 15 percent (series Bf517–519, each as apercentage of series Bf512). The introduction of the Black LungBenefits program in 1970 led to a sharp rise in the state and federalinsurance funds, as a large number of workers not previously cov-ered received federal coverage for black lung disease. Since 1973,the trend has been to return more of the insurance activity to privateinsurers, and many employers have increasingly self-insured.

Black lung (pneumoconiosis), which struck large numbers oflong-time coal miners, is one of the most notorious occupationaldiseases. The Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969established a Black Lung Benefits program to provide monthlybenefit payments to coal miners who are totally disabled and tothe widows and dependents of coal miners who died as a result ofpneumoconiosis. Table Bf525–534 shows the number of personsreceiving black-lung benefits under the two administrative sys-tems.18 The SSA is responsible for the payment and administrationof benefits with respect to claims filed through June 30, 1973 (andfor certain survivor cases before December 31, 1973). The BlackLung Benefits Act of 1972 transferred to the Department of Laborjurisdiction over all claims after July 1, 1973. The number of recip-ients of black-lung benefits peaked around 1980 at over 500,000people. The annual number of beneficiaries has halved since, in partas a result of declines in the number of underground coal miners.Another contributor to the decline has been the deadliness of thedisease, which has caused the number of miners and their depen-dents who receive benefits to fall sharply; meanwhile, the numberof widows receiving benefits has fallen at a much slower pace.

Unemployment InsuranceAlthough a few firms had experimented with unemploymentinsurance between 1894 and the 1930s, public provision ofmodern unemployment insurance was not established at any levelof government prior to the 1930s (Lescohier 1966, pp. 259–69). A number of state legislatures considered the adoption ofunemployment insurance during the late 1910s and 1920s, butonly Wisconsin adopted a law in 1932 and began to administerit (Brandeis 1966, pp. 616–24; Berkowitz and McQuaid 1992,pp. 109–15). The Wisconsin system had not yet begun payingbenefits when the Social Security Act of 1935 established UI asa federally mandated program run by the states. The states collectpayroll taxes from employers to fund the system. Wisconsin,

18 The miners receive benefits that are 37.5 percent of the monthly pay rate forfederal employees in the first step of grade GS-2, adjusted for the number ofdependents. If a miner or surviving spouse is receiving workers’ compensation,unemployment compensation, or disability insurance payments under state law,the black-lung benefit is offset by the amount being paid under these otherprograms. The program is funded by a tax paid by employers per ton of coalmined.


based on its early start, was ready to pay benefits as early as 1936,while the remaining states first had to pass enabling legislationand then accumulate reserves for two years before the programscould begin paying out funds to unemployed workers. By 1938,roughly 75 percent of payrolls were covered by unemploymentinsurance (series Bf280 divided by series Bf273). The percentagerose to a peak of 98 percent in 1979 and fell back to about 92.4percent in 1994. Covered employment includes employment inindustrial and commercial establishments of eight or more for theperiod 1941–1955 and four or more for 1956–1970.19

To fund the system, employers pay taxes on employee earningsup to a specific maximum per employee in each state. Part of thetaxes (0.4 percent of taxable wages in 1970) is remitted to the fed-eral government, which in turn provides grants to the states for thecost of administering unemployment insurance and employmentservices. The payroll contribution rates for individual employersvary to some extent in response to the unemployment experienceof workers in the employer’s operation.

Unemployed workers begin receiving benefits in most statesafter a waiting period of one week is served. In the late 1930s thebenefits typically replaced 50 percent of weekly earnings up to aweekly maximum benefit level. The weekly maximum has oftenserved to reduce the percentage of average weekly wages paid toroughly 33 to 41 percent between 1940 and 1970, with a rate in 1995around 35.5 percent (series Bf489). Since 1940, average weeklybenefits in 1992 dollars have risen at a relatively slow averageannual rate of less than 1 percent per year from $103.3 in 1940 to$173.9 in 1996 (series Bf488 deflated by GDP deflator). The statesestablish a maximum number of weeks that unemployed workerscan receive payments. These durations ranged from 12 to 22.6weeks in the late 1930s, depending on the state. The maximumshave risen such that by 1970 workers could receive benefits forup to 20 to 36 weeks depending on the state. The average actualduration varies with the business cycle from as low as 7.7 weeksduring the extraordinarily tight labor markets during World WarII to over 14 weeks in 1958 and 1961, and again in 1995 (seriesBf490).

As the labor force has expanded, average weekly benefits haverisen, as has the maximum duration of benefits. Total benefits paidin 1992 dollars rose from $2 billion in 1941 to more than $20 billionin the 1990s (series Bf493 deflated by the GDP deflator). As aresult, expenditures on unemployment insurance and employmentservice programs rose along a trend to where they comprised 6.2percent of social insurance expenditures in 1993 (series Bf218). Ofcourse, unemployment claims are cyclical, with total benefits paidpeaking during recessions and declining during economic booms.The unemployed receiving insurance as a percentage of the coveredemployment payroll was as low as 2.0 percent in 1969 and as highas 6 percent in 1975 and 6.6 percent in 1958 (series Bf485 as apercentage of series Bf484).

Public Assistance Programs

The second leading contributor to the rise in public social welfarespending is public assistance programs. As of 1996, the govern-

19 In some of the states, the covered employment also represents employment insmaller establishments and for additional groups of workers, such as state andlocal employees or seamen. Although the federal law requires only employersto pay taxes, some states require some workers to contribute as well.

ments of the United States provided benefits to low-income house-holds through a large number of programs: Aid to Families withDependent Children (AFDC, which has since been replaced byTemporary Assistance to Needy Families), Medicaid, the Women,Infants and Children (WIC) programs, Food Stamps, General As-sistance, work relief programs, Old-Age Assistance, Aid to theBlind, and Aid to the Permanently and Totally Disabled. In mostcases, these programs are means-tested or provide funds to thosewith disability. Again, it should be noted that the division of socialwelfare programs into the specific categories of social insuranceand public assistance is somewhat arbitrary and based on the statu-tory programs and the administrative structure of the programs.Users of the statistics might want to regroup programs into alter-native categories.

Over the past seventy years, public aid expenditures, as definedby the SSA, rose from 0.1 percent as large as GDP in 1929 to morethan 3 percent as large as GDP in the early 1990s (series Bf190).Prior to the 1930s, public assistance was exclusively the responsi-bility of state and local governments. There was enormous variationacross counties and states in the provision of such services.

In the first few decades of the twentieth century, a number ofstate governments began to legislate forms of public aid that fore-shadowed the aid programs for dependent children, the blind, andthe elderly established by the Social Security Act of 1935. Dur-ing the 1910s, a large number of states enacted mothers’ pensionlaws, which provided for public assistance for dependent childrenin their own homes. The eligibility for such aid varied from stateto state, but aid was most often provided for women with preteenchildren where the support of the husband was absent.20 TableBf-F gives an indication of the timing of the enactment of themothers’ pension laws. The U.S. Department of Labor reportedthat in forty states with mothers’ aid laws about 121,000 chil-dren were receiving aid at any given time in 1921 and 1922 (U.S.Department of Labor 1932, p. 99). By June 1931, approximately250,000 children were receiving $35 million in aid in forty-fourstates and the District of Columbia. Still, the total public assistanceexpenditures were relatively small, as the SSA estimates that pub-lic aid expenditures were roughly 0.1 percent as large as GDP in1929.21

The states were slower to introduce old-age pensions, whichprovided public funds to low-income elderly living outside of pub-lic almshouses and charity institutions. The dates of enactment ofthe various laws appear in Table Bf-F. The Alaskan territory ledthe way in 1915. Arizona citizens passed a referendum to establishold-age pensions, but the program was declared unconstitutional in1916. At the end of 1928, Alaska, Colorado, Kentucky, Maryland,Montana, Nevada, and Wisconsin had laws that gave each countyin the state the option to provide pensions. Yet only Montana andWisconsin appeared to have established operative systems thatwere paying pensions totaling $222,599 to 1,221 persons. From1929 forward, the trend in legislation was to make the old-ageassistance systems mandatory for counties. By 1932, eighteen

20 Details on the various eligibility rules as of 1919 can be found in Thompson(1919, pp. 11–19). For a snapshot as of 1934, see Stevens (1970), pp. 28–9.21 For descriptions of the mothers’ pensions laws as of 1934, see Stevens (1970),pp. 28–9, reprinting materials from pp. 301–10 of U.S. Committee on EconomicSecurity, 1937. For a general discussion of the development of mothers’ pen-sions and their impact, see the work of Theda Skocpol (1992) and CarolynMoehling (2002).


states were paying out pensions totaling $22.5 million to 102,537persons.22

The final group that received cash assistance payments throughstate programs was the blind. Many states were generally involvedin providing some form of educational and vocational training forblind children, workshops for the adult blind, and field work inproviding medical assistance and aid in procuring employment.By August 1935, twenty-seven states were providing cash pay-ments to the blind. Estimates by the U.S. Department of Laborshowed that in 1934 approximately two thirds of the blind popu-lation was receiving some form of cash grants. The average valueof monthly grants across the twenty-seven states was nearly $20,but the averages ranged from a low of $0.83 in Arkansas to a highof $33.12 in California.23

During the Great Depression, state and local governments in-creased their expenditures fivefold between 1929 and 1932 in re-sponse to the dramatic rise in unemployment. When the unem-ployment rate reached nearly 25 percent of the labor force in 1933,state and local governments and private charitable organizationsclaimed to be overwhelmed. During the first hundred days of theRoosevelt administration, a series of New Deal Emergency As-sistance programs were established (see Table Bf663–678).24 Theinitial program was the Federal Emergency Relief Administration(FERA) which spent nearly $200 million between 1933 and 1935for direct relief to families and work relief for able-bodied work-ers (about $2 billion in 1992 dollars). In an attempt to increasefederal employment through work relief in the short run, the CivilWorks Administration (CWA) spent more than $700 million be-tween November 1933 and March 1934. Meanwhile, the CivilianConservation Corps spent more than $230 million per year for therest of the decade as they worked to conserve forests, farmland, andother natural sites while providing work and educational opportu-nities for young men. Possibly the most famous of the New Dealprograms was the Works Progress Administration (WPA), later re-named the Works Projects Administration, which provided workrelief for unemployed “employables.” The WPA spent between$1 billion and $2 billion per year from 1936 through 1940 buildingschools, roads, post offices, sidewalks, and a host of other projects.The National Youth Administration and the Farm Security Ad-ministration were smaller programs that, respectively, employedstudents and provided aid to farmers in obtaining their own farms.In sum, well over thirty New Deal programs provided aid of somesort during the 1930s. The sudden influx of federal monies causedpublic aid expenditures to rise as high as 4.6 percent as large asGDP between 1934 through 1940, a percentage that has not beenreached again during the long-term rise in public aid expendituresover the past 60 years (series Bf190).

22 See Brandeis (1966), pp. 613–6; Stevens (1970), pp. 20–24, based on U.S.Committee on Economic Security (1937), pp. 156–70; Quadagno (1988),pp. 51–75; and Costa (1998), pp. 166–7.23 U.S. Department of Labor (1935), pp. 584–601. See also Stevens (1970),pp. 29–31.24 The Hoover administration in 1932 established the Reconstruction FinanceCorporation, which made some loans to state and local governments to helpfinance relief expenditures in addition to its loans to banks and industries. Theloans do not appear in the tables on emergency relief spending because theywere expected to be repaid and, thus, were not considered a net cost to thefederal government. The impact of the loans will appear in the estimates ofassistance provided by state and local governments.

Activities at the state and local level did not cease in 1933 whenthe federal government began providing relief through New Dealprograms. As can be seen in Table Bf621–633, public assistanceprovided by state and local governments to the aged, dependentchildren, and the blind and general assistance rose from $837 mil-lion in 1933 to $1,665 million in 1935 (more than 85 percent ofthe expenditures were for general assistance). The number of casesreceiving general assistance was 3.2 million in 1933, 5.4 millionin 1934, and 2.9 million in 1935. When the WPA replaced theFERA, the federal government disclaimed responsibility for whatit defined as unemployables, low-income people who were not con-sidered capable of working. State and local expenditures on directrelief to the unemployables are included under the heading “gen-eral assistance” in the public assistance tables (series Bf625 andBf638). To help fill the void for some groups and building on theprecedents established by earlier state legislation, the Social Secu-rity Act of 1935 established three joint state and federal programsfor Old-Age Assistance, Aid to the Blind, and Aid to DependentChildren (ADC). In October 1950, Congress amended the SocialSecurity Act to provide aid to the totally and permanently disabled.The Old-Age Assistance, Aid to the Blind, ADC, and Aid to theDisabled programs under the Social Security Act are designed to bejoint programs with the federal government providing grants to thestates and the states providing additional funds and administeringthe programs.

A number of the programs have gone through administrativechanges. Through legislation enacted in 1972 and effective in 1974,the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program superseded theAid to the Blind, Old-Age Assistance, and Aid to the Disabledprograms, except in the U.S. territories of Guam, Puerto Rico, andthe Virgin Islands.25 The program for ADC began paying benefitsto support payments for a mother or other relative caring for thechild in 1950. Under the Public Welfare Amendments of 1962, theprogram was renamed Aid to Families with Dependent Childrento reflect expanded coverage of the adults caring for the dependentchildren. The AFDC and the Emergency Assistance (EA) programs(series Bf637 and Bf639) have been replaced by the TemporaryAssistance for Needy Families (TANF) program under the PersonalResponsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996.The act was designed to limit the length of time that families couldreceive assistance and to promote a return to the workforce by thosewho are able.

The two public aid programs with the fastest growth have beenthe programs aiding children and the disabled. The number ofrecipients in the ADC program grew at an average annual rateof 7 percent per year between the end of World War II and thechange to AFDC in 1962. The number of recipients then explodedat an average annual rate of 12 percent per year from 1962 through1971 to reach nearly 10 million. The average monthly number ofrecipients leveled off at around 11 million before jumping sharplyagain from 1989 through 1994 to more than 14 million (seriesBf630 and Bf644).26 Annual payments show a generally similar

25 For more information on the extent of state supplementation under SSI, seeTable Bf591–598.26 To develop a long-term time series for average monthly benefits, number ofrecipients, and total spending over the period 1936 to 1973 for AFDC (formerlyADC), General Assistance, Old-Age Assistance, Aid to the Blind, and Aid tothe Permanently and Totally Disabled, users will be forced to splice togethertwo sets of series reported by the SSA in Tables Bf621–662 The U.S. Social


pattern, although it is somewhat amplified by changes in monthlybenefits per recipient, which were around $83 (1992 dollars) inthe late 1930s (series Bf624 and Bf637). The average benefits roseabove $150 (1992 dollars) through the transition to AFDC andinto the 1970s. They stayed in the same range during the 1980sbut fell off to around $124 prior to the transition to TANF. Thisdecline in the average benefits per recipient may reflect a decline inthe average number of children in the families receiving benefits.Just as the average number of children in families in the overallpopulation has fallen, so it appears has the average number ofchildren in families receiving AFDC. The share of the recipientswho are children rose slowly from around 73 percent in 1936 toa peak of around 77 percent circa 1960, just before the transitionto AFDC. Since then, the share experienced a secular decline toaround 65 to 66 percent in the 1990s (series Bf645 as a share ofseries Bf644 and series Bf631 as a share of series Bf630).

The SSA began offering federal aid to the permanently andtotally disabled in October 1950. The program grew from aid-ing 69,000 recipients in its first year to 1.2 million recipients in1973 (series Bf628 and Bf642). Since the SSI program was estab-lished in 1974, the number of recipients has more than tripled from1.6 million in 1974 to more than 5 million in 1995, as the coverageof disabilities has expanded (series Bf614 and Bf642). In contrast,the number of recipients of Aid to the Blind rose from 45,000 in1936 to a peak more than 100,000 in the early 1960s, fell to 78,000in 1973, and then rose again to an average annual number of about84,000 in the 1990s (series Bf613, Bf627, and Bf641). The de-velopment of the Social Security old-age pensions and Medicarefor retired workers and survivors has reduced the number of Old-Age Assistance recipients since 1950 and kept benefits low (seriesBf609, Bf626, and Bf640). The number of Old-Age Assistancerecipients rose from 1.1 million in 1936 to 2.7 million in 1950, butit fell back to 1.5 million in 1995.27 Meanwhile, average monthlybenefits in 1992 dollars rose to about $250 in the late 1950s andhave generally fallen below that level since 1970.28

and Rehabilitation Service reported information on AFDC to the SSA through1975. However, beginning in the Social Security Bulletin, Annual StatisticalSupplement, 1976 (p. 200), data on the public assistance programs were re-ported from a different source, and the new series reported were considerednot comparable. In later years, the SSA has reported a consistent series for1960 to the present and for the years 1960, 1955, 1950, 1945, 1940, and 1936.Both sources are reported here to allow users to develop their own means ofinterpolating the annual information for the years prior to 1960. Correlationsof the monthly benefit figures between the two sets of series and are very high.In Table Bf649–662, the correlations between the two versions of the seriesfor the overlapping years of 1936, 1940, 1945, 1950, 1955, and 1960–1973are 0.998 for average monthly benefits for Old-Age Assistance, 0.999 for Aidto the Blind, 0.998 for Aid to the Permanently and Totally Disabled, 0.977for AFDC per family, 0.998 for AFDC per recipient, and 0.999 for GeneralAssistance.27 Annual information on the number of recipients, amount of payments, andmonthly benefits for Old-Age Assistance, Aid to the Blind, and Aid to the Dis-abled is provided in Tables Bf599–662. In addition to the problems describedin the text, a consistent series for the entire period 1936 to 1996 requires thatinformation on the SSI versions of the programs in Table Bf599–620 for theyears after 1974 be combined with the information for the territories of Guam,the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, which have remained under the old pro-grams in Table Bf634–648. This fact helps to explain the precipitous drops ineach of these series in Tables Bf634–662.28 The monthly benefits comparisons for Old-Age Assistance, Aid to the Blind,and Aid to the Permanently and Totally Disabled splice together three series.

Average monthly benefits in the Aid to the Blind program (seriesBf619, Bf650, and Bf657) and permanently disabled programs(series Bf620, Bf651, and Bf658) have risen somewhat faster thaninflation since their beginnings. Average monthly benefits in 1992dollars in the Aid to the Blind program rose from $250 per monthper recipient in 1936 to more than $350 under the SSI program in1995. Meanwhile, Aid to the Permanently Disabled rose from lessthan $250 in 1950 to more than $350 in the 1990s (in 1992 dollars).Recipients in both programs experienced spikes in 1974 with thetransition to SSI and again in 1978. It should be noted that theaverage benefits in all three programs are well under the statutorymaximums. The difference is determined by the extent of disabilityand the resources available to the person and his or her family.29

The General Assistance programs are state-run programs. Theexpansion of the federal programs for increasing numbers of cat-egories has appeared to reduce the pressure on the states for gen-eral assistance. After the huge numbers receiving relief during the1930s, the number of recipients of general assistance has generallynever been higher than 1.4 million in any year (series Bf632 andBf646). However, the General Assistance program experienced arapid growth rate of 6.3 percent per year during the initial stagesof the War on Poverty in 1964 to 1970. Average monthly benefitsper recipient of General Assistance in 1992 dollars have generallybeen lower than those of Aid to the Blind and Aid to the Disabled,peaking around $250 in 1977 and falling back to $210 in 1982(series Bf654 or series Bf661 deflated by GDP deflator). Since thattime, information on spending in monthly benefits has not beenavailable.

When the federal government established Medicare in 1965to provide medical insurance for retired workers, it also developedMedicaid to build on and then take over earlier programs for payingvendors for the provision of medical care to persons with low in-comes. Medicaid established a federal–state matching entitlementprogram that provides medical assistance for certain individualsand families with low incomes and resources. The program is ajointly funded, cooperative venture between the federal and stategovernments. Each state establishes its own eligibility standards,range of services, rates of payment, and administration.

The federal government first became involved in helping to fundpayments to vendors of medical care in October 1950 through aTitle I amendment to the Social Security Act. The expenditureswere made under the programs for assistance to the elderly, blind,disabled, and families with dependent children, which typically in-volved federal, state, and local activities. The federal government

The three programs were superseded by SSI in 1974 in all states and the Districtof Columbia, so the series shows the average benefits paid under SSI to thisgroup (the benefits are artificially high in comparison with the earlier yearsbecause the low benefits for recipients in Guam, Puerto Rico, and the VirginIslands are not included). So for the Old-Age Assistance program, we haveused series Bf618 from 1974 to 1996, series Bf649 for the period 1936–1959,and series Bf656 for the period 1960–1973.29 The average monthly benefits listed in series Bf603 are lower than the maxi-mum benefits available because the benefits are adjusted downward as house-holds have access to increasing resources. The monthly SSI benefit rate forpersons who are eligible for the maximum rose from $140 for an individual($195 for a couple) in 1974 to $484 for an individual ($726 for a couple) in1997. The SSI also provides an additional increment for an “essential person”in the household rising from $70 in 1974 to $242 in 1997. See Social Secu-rity Administration, SSBASS (1997), p. 92, for listing of legislative history ofmaximum benefits.


was not involved in medical assistance under the General Assis-tance programs, which were financed entirely from state and localfunds. Medical assistance for the aged under Title I of the So-cial Security Act was initiated in October 1960 under the 1960Social Security amendments (series Bf585). The earlier programsfor medical care vendor payments (except for General Assistance)were rolled into the Medicare program in 1970.

From the time the federal government became involved in help-ing to fund payments to medical vendors in 1951 until Medicaidwas legislated in 1965, the medical vendor payments skyrocketedat an average annual growth rate of 18.9 percent per year from$527 million in 1951 to $7.8 billion in 1966 (series Bf582 adjustedby the GDP deflator to express the amounts in 1992 dollars). Stateand local governments were likely to have already been providingsome payments to medical care vendors prior to 1951 because the$47 million dollars in General Assistance spending in 1951 wasnot financed by any federal spending (series Bf590).

Since 1972, the number of Medicaid recipients has grown atroughly 3 percent per year, while vendor payments in 1992 dollarshave risen by 7.6 percent per year. Average payments per recipientin 1992 dollars have risen 4.6 percent per year from $1,070 in 1972to $3,057 in 1996 (series Bf568 and Bf575, with adjustments bythe GDP deflator).

In the late 1960s, Congress established a series of additionalprograms for persons with low incomes. In 1969, Congress estab-lished an Emergency Assistance program, which has been rolledinto the TANF program and has been aiding more than 50,000families per month. The Food Stamp program, which began in theearly 1960s, was designed to provide low-income households witha means for obtaining an adequate diet by providing them withcoupons redeemable for food and for garden seeds and plants. Thepercentage of the population participating in the Food Stamp pro-gram rose sharply in the 1970s to more than 9 percent, dippedduring the late 1980s, and was above 10 percent in the mid-1990s(series Aa110 and Bf689). Meanwhile the average monthly valueof bonus coupons in 1992 dollars fell sharply during the 1960s toa trough of less than $23 and rose to nearly $70 in the mid-1990s(series Bf691 deflated by GDP deflator).

Another form of public aid, included in series Bf231, has beenthe development of work-experience training programs. The Man-power Development and Training Act of 1962 and the Equal Op-portunity Act of 1964 “spawned a myriad of categorical programsin almost frantic succession” (Franklin and Ripley 1984, p. 6).In 1973, Congress passed the Comprehensive Employment andTraining Act (CETA) in a political compromise that replaced theprofusion of earlier programs. Whereas the earlier programs tendedto be federally run, CETA provided block grants for more decen-tralized programs. CETA was replaced in 1983 by the Job TrainingPartnership Act, which furthered the process of decentralization.

Legislation in 1981 established the Low-Income Home En-ergy Assistance (LIHEAP) program. Block grants administeredby Health and Human Services (HHS) are provided to the states toassist low-income households in meeting home energy expenses(Table Bf708–716). Since 1982, between 5 and 9 percent of Ameri-can households annually receive such assistance. Average LIHEAPassistance expenditures per household in most programs have beenin the $60 to $300 range (1992 dollars). The largest annual averageexpenditures are in the weatherization program, which typically in-volves capital expenditures, starting at around $400 in 1982 andrising to more than $1,600 in the mid-1990s (1992 dollars).

Health and Medical Programs

The most controversial area of social welfare spending over thepast two decades has been public programs for health and medicalcare. The SSA offers two sets of series on public expenditures onhealth and medical programs. The first set includes direct spendingon public hospitals, military health care, public medical research,school health programs, and medical facilities (series Bf191 andBf232–240). Expenditures on medical care through veterans’ pro-grams, social insurance programs such as Medicare, and publicassistance programs such as Medicaid are not included in these se-ries but are listed under the series on public expenditures on healthand medical care under other programs (series Bf241). The reasonfor the exclusion is that these types of expenditures are already in-cluded under other parts of the public social welfare expenditurestables.

Those users who seek to combine all health and medical ex-penditures into one category, no matter how the funds were ad-ministered, will find the series on all public expenditures on healthand medical care programs useful. Series Bf242 combines expen-ditures for health and medical care programs with all of the otherspending on health and medicine for workers’ compensation, pub-lic aid, veterans’ programs, and Medicare. These totals for all pub-lic expenditures are then separated into the categories of health andmedical services, research, and facilities construction.

Direct public expenditures on health and medical care programsoutside of expenditures under Medicare, Medicaid, and veterans’programs have grown from about 0.3 percent as large as GDP in1929 to about 1 percent as large as GDP since the 1970s (seriesBf191). In general, the federal share of these direct health andmedical expenditures has risen from roughly 12 percent in the1930s to more than 40 percent in the 1990s (see series Bf199and Bf207). The federal share sharply spiked to 77 percent whenfederal spending on military health care caused public health careexpenditures to exceed 1 percent of GDP in 1943 to 1945.

Although the data in the tables begin in 1929, there was a historyof public spending on health and medical care in earlier years.As just one example of a combined federal and state program,consider the spending by the U.S. Children’s Bureau authorizedby the Shephard–Towner Maternity and Infancy Act of 1921. TheAct appropriated about $7 million in federal money for grants inaid to states for the promotion of maternal and infant health andwelfare and was distributed between 1922 and 1929. According tothe Children’s Bureau, this legislation led to expansion of the BirthRegistration and Death Registration Areas, establishment of statechild-hygiene bureaus and divisions, establishment of permanentstate health centers for mothers and children, and, perhaps mostimportant, an accompanying increase in state appropriations forinfant and maternal health (U.S. Children’s Bureau 1930, pp. 1–3;see also Berkowitz and McQuaid 1992, pp. 73–7). In the SSAlistings, the Shephard–Towner spending would appear under seriesBf236. The lack of values in the early 1930s in this SSA series mayreflect an inability to effectively determine state and local spendingon this issue.

Expenditures on health and medical care under other admin-istrative structures include medical expenditures under workers’compensation, under Medicare, and under Medicaid and other pub-lic assistance payments to vendors (series Bf241). The expendi-tures fluctuated between $1 billion and $2 billion (1992 dollars)until the introduction of Medicare in 1966. Rising health care costs


have contributed to an explosion in these expenditures since thattime, as they grew to more than $10 billion by 1979 and doubledto more than $20 billion by 1989 (1992 dollars).

During the post–World War II era, the United States has proba-bly been the world leader in medical research, partially as a resultof public financing. Public expenditures on medical research wereunder $30 million until 1947 when in one year they jumped to149.7 million (series Bf237, converted to 1992 dollars). They firstreached $1 billion in 1957 and then experienced another rapid riseto over $5 billion by the 1966. They held steady between $5.5billion and $6 billion into the mid-1970s and have risen steadilysince to over $13 billion today. On the other hand, public spendingon medical facilities construction peaked between $3 billion and$4 billion in the late 1970s and has tailed off since (series Bf240,converted to 1992 dollars).

Education Programs

Public expenditures on education have also outstripped GDP since1929, growing in real terms at an average annual rate of about 4.5percent per year. As Claudia Goldin notes in the essay on edu-cation in Chapter Bc, one of the keys to growth in the Americanstandard of living has been our educational system. Since WorldWar II, educational expenditures have risen from 1.7 percent aslarge as GDP in 1947 to roughly 5 percent as large as GDP in1993. The fastest growth in educational expenditures, as definedby the OECD, occurred in the 1960s and 1970s, when averageannual rates of growth in real expenditures neared 8 percent peryear. Over the course of the twentieth century, the mix of spendinghas gone through several changes. As a larger share of the popula-tion in each new generation has extended their schooling beyondhigh school, the shares of public spending on higher educationhave increased from less than 10 percent to just over 20 percentof public educational spending (series Bf258). Following a sharprise immediately after World War II, the higher education sharepeaked in 1984 at around 24 percent and has since declined to justabove 20 percent as renewed emphasis was placed on elementaryand secondary education. Public spending on vocational and adulteducation received a boost during the New Deal and then expandedrapidly to a peak of 7 percent of educational spending during WorldWar II (series Bf260). Interest in vocational and adult educationwas renewed in the 1960s, but spending was virtually eliminatedin the mid-1980s. One caveat about the vocational and adult ed-ucation series: they do not include job training programs such asCETA.

Veterans’ Programs

The U.S. government has always provided social insurance, hos-pitals, and medical care for its veterans (see Clark, Craig, andWilson 2000). As discussed earlier, pensions for Civil War veter-ans set precedents for establishing old-age pensions for the generalpublic. Public spending for veterans since 1929 typically has beenless than 1 percent of GDP except during periods immediately fol-lowing major wars (series Bf192). The most unusual increase inthe series came when Congress voted to pay a “veterans’ bonus” of$2 billion dollars ($20 billion 1992 dollars) in 1936 over FranklinRoosevelt’s veto. The bonus provided for the immediate paymentto veterans of World War I of their adjusted compensation cer-tificates, which were supposed to come due in 1945. The bonus

caused a one-time jump in the veterans’ “welfare and other” seriesand caused the overall veterans’ series to rise to 4.6 percent as largeas GDP in 1936 (series Bf192 and Bf254).

Between 1929 and the end of World War II, except for 1936, twothirds of the veterans’ spending was for pensions (series Bf247).The disability pension program, which is described in more de-tail in Table Bf762–772, accounts for roughly 50 to 60 percent ofveterans’ spending, except for the immediate aftermath of WorldWar II.30 Immediately following World War II, the GI bill, designedto provide educational opportunities for returning veterans, causedveterans’ educational spending to rise to around 40 percent of vet-erans’ spending for 1947–1950 (series Bf252). The educationalspending tailed off to less than 10 percent by 1960 and remainedbelow 10 percent until the early 1970s, when the aftermath of theVietnam War led to more educational programs for returning vet-erans. As in other areas, health and medical spending for veteranshas become increasingly important. Health and medical spendingaccounted for less than 10 percent of veterans’ spending prior toWorld War II. Since World War II, health and medical spendinghas consistently outpaced all other forms of spending, rising to 42percent of veterans’ spending by 1993.31

Public Housing Programs

Public expenditures on housing consist of payments for publichousing and housing subsidies for low- and moderate-income fam-ilies. Federal public housing expenditures got their start under theHousing Division of the Public Works Administration (PWA) dur-ing the New Deal with a strong burst of building activity in late1935 and 1936. The PWA projects were then taken over by theU.S. Housing Authority in 1937, which began a new public hous-ing building program, spending about $40 million per year duringthe late 1930s (1992 dollars). The spending jumped to close to$100 million per year during World War II and then jumped morethan $1 billion in 1946 and 1947 (1992 dollars). Spending fellback to $43 million in 1949 and then rose continuously to about$1.8 billion in 1969 (1992 dollars). Since legislation in 1965, theU.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) hasoverseen the housing programs.32 After the Housing and Urban

30 Included among the array of veterans’ benefits are two major cash programs:the Service-Connected Disability Compensation program and the Nonservice-Connected Disability and Pension program. The service-connected programpays monthly benefits to honorably discharged veterans who are disabled as aresult of injury or disease incurred while in or aggravated by active militaryduty. In addition, the surviving spouse, dependent children, and certain parentsof veterans who die as the result of an injury or disease incurred while in oraggravated by active military duty are also eligible for compensation underthe Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) program. Both disabilitycompensation and DIC benefits are not means-tested. The second cash programprovides for means-tested monthly benefits for honorably discharged wartimeveterans with limited income and resources who are permanently and totallydisabled as a result of a condition not related to their military service. Theamount of benefit varies with the number of the veteran’s dependents and theseverity of the veteran’s condition. Pensions for nonservice-connected deathare based on need and are paid to surviving spouses and dependent children ofdeceased wartime veterans.31 Additional discussion of the veterans’ programs can be found in Chapter Ed.32 HUD oversees a wide variety of programs not included in these expenditures,including the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), which insures loans formortgages and home rehabilitation, and the General National Mortgage Asso-ciation (Ginnie Mae).


Development Act of 1970 established a national growth policy,public housing expenditures skyrocketed in the 1970s, rising morethan 18 percent per year to a level of $11.4 billion in 1980 (1992dollars). The growth rate slowed to 7 percent per year in the 1980s.Since 1989, the annual expenditures have been around $20 billion(1992 dollars). Government expenditures on housing were focusedon public housing provision until the beginning of the 1950s, whenstate governments began providing subsidies for housing for low-and moderate-income families that accounted for 39 percent ofthe public housing expenditures. The focus of spending soon re-turned to public housing through the rest of the 1950s, and thenshifted back toward subsidies at the federal, state, and local levelsthrough the mid-1970s, when resources devoted to public hous-ing began increasing again (see series Bf194, Bf202, Bf210, andBf262).

Other Public Social Welfare Programs

The catchall category in Table Bf263–270 includes spending onvocational rehabilitation, child nutrition, child welfare spending,ACTION, and Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) programs.Expenditures in these areas have risen about 5 percent per year inreal terms since 1929, with the most rapid growth occurring dur-ing the 1960s during the War on Poverty. Most of the increase inthis miscellaneous category is on programs for child nutrition, in-cluding surplus foods under the National School Lunch and ChildNutrition Act. The special OEO and ACTION programs got theirstart in the mid-1960s. In 1971–1972 the VISTA, foster grandpar-ents, and other volunteer programs were consolidated under theACTION rubric. Expenditures rose through 1973 and had a sig-nificant one-year increase to $3.8 billion at the end of the Carteradministration; successive administrations have reduced the spend-ing well below $1 billion per year (1992 dollars).

Private Social Welfare

The impressive growth of public social welfare expenditures andprograms sometimes causes us to forget that private entities play animportant role in providing assistance to low-income households,insurance, health care spending, and education. Consequently, thegrowth in public spending has been complemented by similarlyrapid growth in private spending on social welfare services. TheSSA has developed two sets of estimates of private social welfareexpenditures for the periods 1950–1978 and 1972 to the present.Neither of the series is a precise private counterpart of the SSA’spublic social welfare expenditure series. As seen in Figure Bf-B,private social welfare expenditures have risen from less than 5percent as large as GDP in 1950 to 13 percent as large as GDP inthe 1990s. We do not have good aggregate estimates for privatesocial welfare spending for earlier periods.

Prior to the introduction of the public social welfare programs ofthe twentieth century, households followed a number of strategiesfor protecting themselves against misfortune. In the early 1900s,compared with today, households faced greater risk of workplaceinjury, similar risk of unemployment, and greater risk of disabilityand illness. With only limited access to public social insuranceand relief at the local level, individuals and families developeda number of strategies for dealing with these problems. Many ofthese methods cannot be easily measured and turned into aggregate

national statistics. To deal with the problems of old age, the elderlyoften lived with their children and their families or in close proxi-mity to relatives. To deal with unemployment, illness, injury, ordeath, a number of families sent wives and children into the workforce.33 To varying degrees, employers and unions also providedsome aid for families of workers injured on the job or fallen ill(Berkowitz and McQuaid 1992, pp. 11–34, 50–67; Jacoby 1997,pp. 10–34).

Both in past and present labor markets, varying combinations ofcompetition for labor among employers and collective bargaininghave forced employers to pay higher wages for jobs with greaterrisks of injury or unemployment. Estimates of the implicit value oflife implied by the higher wages have risen over time to a range ofapproximately $1 million to $10 million in modern labor markets(Moore and Viscusi 1990; Fishback 1998). The higher wages prob-ably did not fully compensate workers for their expected losses, buthouseholds used the higher wages to purchase limited amounts oflife and accident insurance and to obtain some protection againstaccidents and sickness by joining mutual societies through employ-ers or fraternal organizations. A number of households accumu-lated precautionary savings, but these were often not large enoughto protect against the loss of the household head’s income for morethan a few months. Others used pawn shops and other informalsources of credit to tide them over (Haines 1985; Rotella and Alter1993). People with low incomes without these resources some-times obtained limited support from local governments, charities,or community groups.

The introduction of public social welfare programs may havepartially replaced many of these private mechanisms for dealingwith the risks and vicissitudes of life. Social Security pensions ap-pear to have freed the elderly to maintain separate households. In-creases in benefits for workers’ compensation and unemploymentinsurance have been shown in a number of studies to be associ-ated with reductions in the wages paid by employers (Moore andViscusi 1990; Fishback 1998). A number of economists have foundevidence that Social Security and other social insurance programsreduce precautionary savings and insurance purchases by house-holds (Feldstein 1974, 1982; Leimer and Lesnoy 1982; Fishbackand Kantor 2000). Even charitable donations and organizationalactivities have been found to be crowded out by public programsin some studies (Abrams and Schmitz 1984; Ziliak 1996, 1997).On the other hand, many of these changes have been marginalresponses that apparently have been swamped by other factors be-cause private social welfare spending over the past fifty years hasfollowed an upward trend similar to the one displayed by publicsocial welfare spending (see Figure Bf-B).

The most rapid growth in private social welfare spending since1972 has come in expansions in the category for income mainte-nance spending, which is essentially expenditures for employeebenefit plans for retirement pensions, life and disability insur-ance, and supplemental unemployment insurance (series Bf790–795). Since 1972, expenditures on these plans have risen at anaverage annual rate of 6.3 percent per year after adjusting forinflation. The largest expansion within employee benefit planshas been in private pension plans, which have risen more than

33 For descriptions of various family strategies, see Modell (1979); Graeb-ner (1980); Goldin (1981); Haines (1985); Keyssar (1986); Rotella and Alter(1993), Haber and Gratton (1994), and Costa (1998).


fivefold in real terms between 1972 and 1994, in part as a re-sult of the expansion of pension options available to employers(Kerns 1995). This rise in private pensions continues a longertrend from the beginning of the twentieth century. The railroadindustry was the leader in providing pension plans in the late nine-teenth century, and a few other large firms followed suit (Latimer1932). In 1920, approximately 3 million workers were covered bypension plans (Craig 1995, p. 309; see also Ransom, Sutch, andWilliamson 1993). By 1950 approximately 10 million private em-ployees were covered by employer pension plans, and the numberhad tripled by 1970 (see Table Bf836–853). Similar stories canbe told for life insurance, disability insurance, and health insur-ance benefits, although the growth rates in disability insurance andlife insurance expenditures over the past twenty years have notmatched the growth in pension spending (Tables Bf786–835 andBf854–874).

Expenditures of private funds on welfare services by privatesocial service agencies, such as family service agencies, adoptionservices, group foster homes, the YMCA, the Boy Scouts, and awide range of other programs, have risen nearly as fast as spendingon income maintenance – 6 percent per year in real terms since 1972(series Bf777).34

Even the slowest-growing category of private social welfarespending – education – has grown at an average annual rate of 3.6percent per year in real terms between 1972 and 1994. This growthis slightly faster than the growth in public spending on education.About 50 percent of the private spending throughout the period hasbeen on current operations in higher education, while about 13 to15 percent is devoted to current operations in vocational education(see Kerns 1995, p. 69).

An important component of private social welfare spending isexpenditures on health care. The U.S. health care system contrastswith the public health care systems of many other countries in thatour system is financed by a mixture of direct private spending,spending under health insurance (often provided as benefits byemployers), and public programs. Private health expenditures in1992 dollars have grown at a pace of approximately 5 percentper year since 1960 (series Bf876 deflated by the GDP deflator).35

Despite this rapid growth, the expansion of Medicare and Medicaidhas caused the privately financed share of health care expendituresto fall from 75 percent in 1960 to 54 percent in the 1990s (seriesBf876 as a percentage of series Bf875).

One of the major changes in the financing of health care ex-penditures has been the rise in the role of private health insurance.While payments from health insurers financed only 29 percent ofprivate health expenditures in 1960, by the 1990s health insur-ance paid for roughly 60 percent of all private health expenditures(series Bf879 as a percentage of series Bf876). This figure mightunderstate the involvement of insurers in medical transactions be-cause the leading alternative category – series Bf878, out-of-pocketmedical expenditures by consumers – includes the consumer pay-ments of copayments and deductibles required by health insurers.The rise in the extent of private health insurance coverage of thepopulation has been even more dramatic. Since 1940, the num-

34 More extensive information on private philanthropy is available inChapter Bg.35 The SSA obtained its estimates for private spending on health care (seriesBf774) from the Health Care Financing Administration, which has reported alonger time series for 1960–1997 in series Bf876.

ber of people with private health insurance has risen sharply from12 million to more than 180 million in the 1990s (series Bf887).The rise has been dramatic, but the absence of universal coverageof the population has been a leading public policy issue during the1990s and early twenty-first century.

The current system of health insurance coverage evolved from“sickness” insurance, which was the primary form of health in-surance sold in the early part of the twentieth century through the1930s. Sickness insurance was designed to replace lost incomefrom illness rather than to pay medical bills. Sickness insurance isstill sold today, but the majority of the private protections againstlost income from sickness are found in employer programs (TablesBf854–874).

As medical care became more effective and expensive, BlueCross (and later Blue Shield) was an early leader in developinghealth insurance that paid for the direct costs of obtaining medicalcare. The “Blues” provided coverage to roughly half of the peoplewith insurance in 1940 (series Bf891 as a percentage of seriesBf887). A substantial part of the rise in health insurance coverageof medical costs has come from group insurance plans through theperson’s employer. Tables Bf802–835 show the dramatic rise inhealth insurance coverage for employees between 1950 and 1976,the point at which these series were no longer collected. The risewas driven in part by federal tax policies during World War II,which were later clarified and encoded by the Internal RevenueCode of 1954, which freed employers from paying taxes on thevalue of health insurance provided to their workers (Thomasson1998). The most recent trend in the health insurance industry hasbeen the rise in the number of people covered by health mainte-nance organizations (HMOs) and other managed care plans. Overthe past twenty years the percentage of persons insured by HMOs,managed care plans, and miscellaneous insurance has risen from 10percent to nearly two thirds (series Bf892 as a percentage of seriesBf887).

Summary

“Expansion” is the single best word to use in describing social wel-fare expenditures during the twentieth century in America. Expen-ditures have risen at a much faster rate than GDP as the coverage ofprograms has expanded and the average payments to beneficiarieshave increased. Public programs have proliferated, and private so-cial welfare spending has also risen at a rapid pace. Social welfarespending from both public and private sources has grown from lessthan 10 percent as large as GDP to more than 30 percent as largeas GDP over the past ninety years. The result has been a dramaticchange in the institutional landscape with regard to social insur-ance and public assistance. Responsibility for many forms of socialwelfare activity has shifted from the individual and private organi-zations to state and local governments to the federal government,although the federal programs are often administered and fundedin conjunction with state and local governments. Some public pro-grams, such as Social Security, have expanded in ways that have ledto significant public discussion of the possibility of future break-downs in the government’s ability to maintain the promises madeto the workers who are currently funding them. Similar problemshave arisen in our complex public–private system of health care.The discussions have led to new proposals of innovative ways ofdealing with these issues, which in turn may well lead to morecomplex arrangements in the future.


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U.S. Children’s Bureau. 1930. Eighteenth Annual Report of the Children’sBureau.

U.S. Committee on Economic Security. 1937. Social Security in America: TheFactual Background of the Social Security Act as Summarized from StaffReports to the Committee on Economic Security.

U.S. Department of Labor. 1932. Annual Report, 1932.U.S. Department of Labor. 1935. “Public Provision for Pensions for the Blind

in 1934.” Monthly Labor Review 41 (3): 584–601.

Weaver, Carolyn L. 1982. The Crisis in Social Security: Economic andPolitical Origins. Duke University Press.

Wolfe, John. 1993. The Coming Health Crisis: Who Will Pay for Care for theAged in the Twenty-First Century? University of Chicago Press.

Ziliak, Stephen. 1996. “The End of Welfare and the Contradiction ofCompassion.” Independent Review 1 (1): 55–73.

Ziliak, Stephen. 1997. “Kicking the Malthusian Vice: Lessons from theAbolition of ‘Welfare’ in the Late Nineteenth Century.” Quarterly Reviewof Economics and Finance 37 (2): 449–68.

720 SeriesBf 1–7 Bf SOCIAL INSURANCE AND PUBLIC ASSISTANCE

POOR RELIEF

Joan Underhill Hannon and Stephen T. Ziliak

TABLE Bf1–7 Poor relief in Philadelphia – recipients, expenditures, and tax levied:1709–1775

Contributed by Stephen T. Ziliak

Poor relief

Poor tax Expenditureslevied per per 1,000 Recipients per Expenditures per

Population annum Expenditures population Recipients 1,000 population recipient

Bf1 Bf2 Bf3 Bf4 Bf5 Bf6 Bf7

PoundsPeriod Number Pence Pounds per 1,000 Number Per 1,000 Pounds

1709 2,500 1.5 158 59 13 4.8 12.001739 9,100 3.0 800 83 80 1 8.3 1 10.00 1

1756–1758 15,600 3.0 1,175 72 110 1 6.7 1 10.90 1

1765 18,100 5.0 2,385 123 310 16.0 7.141768–1771 19,700 6.0 3,681 175 590 28.1 6.501772–1775 22,300 6.0 3,868 163 720 30.3 5.70

1 Estimate based on the known number of outreliefers plus an estimated 40 to 50inmates in the small almshouse.

SourceGary B. Nash, “Poverty and Poor Relief in Pre-Revolutionary Philadelphia,”William and Mary Quarterly 33 (1976): 3–30. Table 1, p. 9.

DocumentationAll values are in Philadelphia currency. The data are derived from numerousarchival sources. For example, the figures for 1768 to 1775 are derived from

the annual reports of the Records of the Contributors of Relief to the Poor,Treasurer’s Accounts, City Archives, Philadelphia. The figures for 1739, on theother hand, are found in the Philadelphia Poor Day Book, 1739. “Althoughfood prices rose steeply in the 1770s, there was general stability in prices andsterling exchange rates in Philadelphia during the colonial period, so moneyvalues have not been converted to English sterling” (Nash 1976, p. 9).

Series Bf2. The source suggests that the tax was a flat tax on any assessableproperty.

TABLE Bf 8–16 Poor relief expenditures in Boston, Philadelphia, and New York: 1700–1775Contributed by Stephen T. Ziliak

Boston Philadelphia New York

Poor relief Poor relief Poor relief

Average Expenditure Average Expenditure Average Expenditureannual per 1,000 annual per 1,000 annual per 1,000

Population expenditure population Population expenditure population Population expenditure population

Bf8 Bf9 Bf10 Bf11 Bf12 Bf13 Bf14 Bf15 Bf16

Pounds Pounds PoundsPounds sterling per Pounds sterling per Pounds sterling per

Period Number sterling 1,000 Number sterling 1,000 Number sterling 1,000

1700–1710 7,500 173 23 2,450 119 48 4,500 — —1711–1720 9,830 181 18 3,800 — — 5,900 249 321721–1730 11,840 273 23 6,600 — — 7,600 276 251731–1740 15,850 498 31 8,800 471 49 10,100 351 211741–1750 16,240 806 50 12,000 — — 12,900 389 21

1751–1760 15,660 1,204 77 15,700 1,083 67 13,200 667 391761–1770 15,520 1,909 123 22,100 2,842 129 18,100 1,667 921771–1775 15,500 2,478 158 27,900 3,785 136 22,600 2,778 123

SourceGary B. Nash, “Urban Wealth and Poverty in Pre-Revolutionary America,”Journal of Interdisciplinary History 6 (4) (1976): 545–84. Table 4, p. 557.DocumentationSee the text for Table Bf1–7 for a description of the data source for Philadel-phia.

Between 1754 and 1775, the town records of Boston provide, with fewinterruptions, an annual report of the treasurer on disbursements to theOverseers of the Poor. These reports provide direct counts. For the period1700–1720, Nash “estimated poor relief costs at one-third the town expenses

(given yearly in Boston Town Records), the ratio that prevailed in the five yearsbetween 1727 and 1737 when poor relief expense figures are given” (Nash1976, p. 556 n. 24).

The figures for New York have been reconstructed from the Minutes andAccounts of the Church Warden and Vestrymen of the City of New York,1696–1715, New York Historical Society; and Minutes of the Meetings of theJustices, Church Wardens, and Vestrymen of the City of New York, 1694–1747, New York Public Library. The salary of the clergymen for the Societyfor the Propagation of the Gospel, which was included in these expenditures,has been subtracted from the yearly totals. Nash reports that “the New York

POOR RELIEF Series Bf 17–22 721

TABLE Bf 8–16 Poor relief expenditures in Boston, Philadelphia, and New York: 1700–1775 Continued

records after 1747 have apparently not survived, but the level of expenditureson the eve of the Revolution was reported by the vestrymen and churchwar-dens in a petition to the Continental Congress in May 1776” (1976, p. 556n. 25).

All values, which in the inventories are given in Massachusetts and Penn-sylvania currency, have been converted to sterling. Nash used the conversion

figures given in U.S. Bureau of the Census, Historical Statistics of the UnitedStates, Colonial Times to 1957 (1960), p. 773, and filled in the missing yearsfrom the price per ounce of silver cited in the inventories for these years.For Philadelphia, the yearly sterling equivalents for Pennsylvania currency aretaken from Anne Bezanson, Robert D. Gray, and Marian Hussey, Prices inColonial Pennsylvania (University of Pennsylvania Press, 1935), p. 431.

TABLE Bf 17–22 Tax assessments and expenditures for the poor in Philadelphia: 1800–18541


Almshouse expenditures Outdoor expenditures

Poor-tax Total expenditures Percentage of Percentage ofassessment for the poor Total total expenditures Total total expenditures

Bf17 Bf18 Bf19 2 Bf20 Bf21 Bf22Fiscal yearbeginning Dollars Dollars Dollars Percent Dollars Percent

1800 50,000 47,212 25,330 4 54 21,882 461801 75,000 59,830 37,568 4 63 22,262 371802 60,000 73,507 38,004 4 52 35,503 481803 75,000 79,684 50,192 63 29,492 371804 70,000 91,702 55,202 60 36,500 40

1805 90,000 96,025 62,309 65 33,716 351806 90,000 89,795 57,942 65 31,854 351807 91,160 103,856 67,537 65 36,318 351808 90,000 113,952 79,414 70 34,537 301809 83,000 113,049 76,704 68 36,345 32

1810 88,000 92,203 58,154 63 34,049 371811 102,954 88,040 49,023 56 39,067 441812 102,595 — — — — —1813 90,000 103,981 45,409 44 58,572 561814 100,000 120,488 64,424 53 56,064 47

1815 110,000 124,660 70,788 57 53,872 431816 110,000 117,892 63,222 54 54,670 461817 150,000 107,598 52,031 48 55,567 521818 135,000 116,408 48,811 42 67,596 581819 135,000 98,014 51,393 52 46,621 48

1820 140,000 95,010 51,501 54 43,509 461821 130,000 97,847 50,511 52 47,337 481822 105,940 111,120 59,506 54 51,530 461823 114,468 129,125 57,227 44 71,898 561824 132,317 110,020 52,423 49 55,597 51

1825 129,383 100,170 52,842 52 47,329 481826 89,961 119,798 70,789 59 49,009 411827 80,000 83,088 52,419 63 30,669 371828 90,000 82,154 55,190 67 26,964 331829 90,000 83,508 53,877 65 29,631 35

1830 80,564 86,614 54,494 63 32,120 371831 91,828 106,139 69,513 66 36,626 341832 139,891 106,252 64,814 61 41,438 391833 — 101,597 68,308 67 33,289 33

1835 168,942 114,092 97,720 86 16,372 141836 — 112,107 100,297 89 11,810 111837 — 130,360 114,933 88 15,427 121838 — 122,612 105,921 86 16,691 141839 169,043 111,292 84,902 76 26,390 24

1840 — 98,763 70,621 72 28,142 281841 — 120,035 88,910 74 31,125 261842 181,094 115,511 80,755 70 34,756 301843 178,003 113,034 79,489 70 33,546 301844 194,825 — — — — —

Notes appear at end of table (continued)

722 Series Bf 17–22 Bf SOCIAL INSURANCE AND PUBLIC ASSISTANCE

TABLE Bf 17–22 Tax assessments and expenditures for the poor in Philadelphia: 1800–1854 Continued

Almshouse expenditures Outdoor expenditures

Poor-tax Total expenditures Percentage of Percentage ofassessment for the poor Total total expenditures Total total expenditures

Bf17 Bf18 Bf19 2 Bf20 Bf21 Bf22Fiscal yearbeginning Dollars Dollars Dollars Percent Dollars Percent

1845 161,025 144,074 105,245 73 38,829 271846 197,265 129,345 91,463 71 37,882 291847 191,013 144,598 106,207 73 38,391 271848 189,425 148,297 100,683 68 47,613 321849 191,037 166,346 117,759 70 48,587 30

1850 208,018 167,204 121,485 73 45,719 271852 259,583 176,434 120,878 69 55,557 311853 — 193,277 127,558 66 65,719 341854 3 — 143,771 115,665 80 28,107 20

1 Through 1802, the fiscal year began in March; thereafter in May.2 Beginning in 1821, expenditures of the children’s asylum and board of youngsters in

the Shelter for Colored Orphans and of the sick in the city hospital are included withthe almshouse expenditures. In the annual accounts, they are included with outdoorexpenditures.

3 May to December.4 Almshouse figures include the amount paid the Pennsylvania Hospital for boarding

some insane patients.

SourcePriscilla Clement, Welfare and the Poor in the Nineteenth-Century City: Philadel-phia, 1800–1854 (Fairleigh Dickinson University Press, 1985), Appendix 1,pp. 174–7.

DocumentationThe underlying sources for the data are many and are documented in de-tail in Clement (1985), Appendix 1. There are some discrepancies (thoughapparently small in magnitude) in the year-to-year comparability of figures.

Series Bf17. The tax assessment was usually levied in January for the fiscalyear that began in March or May.

Series Bf19. Expenditures are direct costs of caring for the poor in thealmshouse. The figures include salaries paid to almshouse employees andthe cost of materials used in the [almshouse] factory.

Series Bf21. Expenditures include sums spent for outdoor cash aid, medicalattendance, and wood as well as for the amount paid in salaries to employeesof the guardians of the poor.

TABLE Bf 23–27 Public relief recipients in Philadelphia, by type of relief:1800–18541


Public relief

Almshouses and OutdoorTotal children’s asylum pensioners Medical aid Fuel aid

Bf23 Bf24 Bf25 Bf26 Bf27Fiscal yearbeginning Number Number Number Number Number

1800 1,390 788 602 — —1801 — 948 — — —1802 — 804 — — —1803 — 1,101 — — —1804 — 1,196 — — —

1805 1,180 2 1,270 590 — —1806 2,000 1,455 545 — —1807 — 1,406 — — —1808 — 1,581 — — —1809 — 1,611 — — —

1810 2,500 1,755 745 — —1811 2,106 1,796 310 — —1812 — 1,830 — — —1813 — 1,820 — — —1814 3,145 1,891 1,254 — —

1815 3,462 2,254 1,208 — —1816 3,852 2,653 1,199 — —1817 4,082 2,843 1,239 — —1818 — — 1,249 — —1819 5,530 4,049 1,481 — —



TABLE Bf 23–27 Public relief recipients in Philadelphia, by type of relief:1800–1854 Continued

Public relief

Almshouses and OutdoorTotal children’s asylum pensioners Medical aid Fuel aid

Bf23 Bf24 Bf25 Bf26 Bf27Fiscal yearbeginning Number Number Number Number Number

1820 5,237 3,907 1,330 — —1821 4,834 3,566 1,268 — —1822 5,119 3,897 1,222 — —1823 5,387 4,378 1,009 — —1824 4,508 3,666 842 — —

1825 4,591 3,578 1,013 — —1826 5,059 4,025 1,034 — —1827 4,110 3,411 699 — —1828 4,276 4,024 252 — —1829 4,360 3,651 709 2,875 2,128

1830 3,450 2,730 720 — —1831 4,171 3,501 670 — 3,1971832 — — 760 2,285 3,1751833 4,198 3,400 798 — —1834 — — 916 — —

1835 2,512 2,512 0 — —1836 2,692 2,692 0 — —1837 2,896 2,896 0 — 3,6851838 2,420 2,420 0 — 2,7421839 3,131 3,008 123 — —

1840 2,891 2,696 195 — 2,8891841 3,161 2,985 176 2,437 4,4981842 3,060 2,869 191 3,164 7,5751843 3,187 2,958 229 2,808 6,650

1845 3,475 3,223 252 3,077 7,0401846 4,810 4,503 307 3,190 7,7201847 4,520 4,303 217 2,864 6,9031848 4,775 4,504 271 2,882 8,8681849 5,146 4,885 261 3,491 8,821

1850 5,041 4,854 187 — —1851 — 6,719 — — —1852 — 5,017 — — —1853 — 5,407 — — —1854 — 3,244 — — —

1 Through 1802, the fiscal year began in March; thereafter in May.2 Total is given as reported in the source, but it does not equal the sum of series Bf24–25.

SourcePriscilla Clement, Welfare and the Poor in the Nineteenth-Century City: Philadel-phia, 1800–1854 (Fairleigh Dickinson University Press, 1985), Appendix 2,pp. 178–80.

DocumentationThe underlying sources for the data are many and are documented in detailin Clement (1985), Appendix 2. There are some discrepancies (though ap-parently small in magnitude) in the year-to-year comparability of figures. SeeClement (1985), Appendix 2, “Sources.”

Series Bf24. Almshouse and asylum figures represent total admissions; theymay be somewhat inflated, then, because some people were admitted morethan once in a year.

Series Bf25. Single people and heads of families. The number of children inthese families is not included in these figures but may have amounted to 40percent of those on pensions in some years.

Series Bf26–27. Numbers of medical and fuel aid recipients were given an-nually in most years after 1800. Many outdoor pensioners received both fueland medical aid so there may be a great deal of overlap, which is impossibleto measure because there are no extant lists of aid recipients.

724 Series Bf28–33 Bf SOCIAL INSURANCE AND PUBLIC ASSISTANCE

TABLE Bf 28–33 Pauper support, by state: 1850–1870Contributed by Stephen T. Ziliak

Pauper support as a ratio toAverage pauper support income of common laborer

1850 1860 1870 1850 1860 1870

Bf28 Bf29 Bf30 Bf31 Bf32 Bf33

State Dollars Dollars Dollars Percent Percent Percent

United States 59 87 119 21.6 26.4 24.0

Alabama 56 87 119 25.7 29.1 31.6Arkansas 103 94 139 44.2 29.1 32.2California — 388 276 — 41.3 38.4Colorado — — 601 — — 77.2Connecticut 55 56 111 23.3 17.1 22.0

Delaware 65 51 91 26.7 18.8 18.8District of Columbia — 89 94 — 28.6 —Florida 15 43 67 4.7 11.9 18.0Georgia 33 38 88 14.7 13.7 26.0Illinois 104 106 235 53.9 32.4 47.2

Indiana 99 96 110 57.9 31.5 22.7Iowa 122 123 205 47.3 39.9 39.0Kansas — 20 138 — 5.3 23.7Kentucky 74 80 90 34.4 26.5 20.8Louisiana — 1 70 105 — 1 16.2 19.8

Maine 43 49 101 18.2 15.0 21.1Maryland 36 104 101 16.7 39.8 21.1Massachusetts 71 89 194 27.2 28.1 39.0Michigan 66 80 132 32.2 24.8 27.0Minnesota — — 69 — 46.1 12.7

Mississippi 71 89 120 24.1 22.7 26.6Missouri 105 90 103 45.1 29.5 22.4Montana — — 742 — — 39.8Nebraska — — 2 121 — — 2 18.3Nevada — — 439 — — 47.1

New Hampshire 72 67 110 36.7 22.9 27.2New Jersey 59 71 119 29.2 21.3 23.3New York 64 75 189 30.8 23.7 40.5North Carolina 38 58 83 22.6 24.3 32.5Ohio 57 — 3 154 32.8 — 3 30.9

Oregon — 526 306 — — 46.4Pennsylvania 61 86 143 38.4 24.9 27.9Rhode Island 66 70 154 29.5 21.4 33.0South Carolina 40 45 109 19.5 17.6 34.7Tennessee 53 69 75 29.4 26.4 20.9

Texas — 2 105 105 — 2 27.0 26.6Utah — 344 122 — 57.0 —Vermont 64 65 100 28.6 20.1 22.3Virginia 34 46 92 16.8 18.3 29.3Washington — 935 264 — 103.0 33.9

West Virginia — — 81 — — 20.5Wisconsin 62 64 134 28.1 19.6 28.0

1 Aggregate expenditures greater than in 1860.2 Fewer than 10 persons enumerated.3 June 1 count above yearly total.

SourceStanley Lebergott, The American Economy: Income, Wealth, and Want (PrincetonUniversity Press, 1976), pp. 64–5. Notes on pp. 61–4. Data for daily wagesof common labor are taken from Lebergott, Manpower in Economic Growth(McGraw-Hill, 1964), p. 541, and multiplied by 311 to give an annual rate(Lebergott 1976, p. 63).

DocumentationThe estimates for relief payments were computed from data in A Compendiumof the Ninth Census (U.S. Census Office, 1872, pp. 533–4). According to Leber-gott, “the estimates . . . were computed . . . by dividing the count of paupersas of June 1 into the ‘annual cost of support’ for an entire year. The June 1count is probably below a yearly average so far as seasonality is concerned.But the peak of immigrant flows in the spring would tend to bring it above av-erage. Because 40 percent of the June 1 count was in New York, Pennsylvania,

and Massachusetts – centers for immigrant arrival – the importance of thislatter factor is probably substantial. We therefore accept the June 1 count asa fair annual average” (Lebergott 1976, p. 61).

Lebergott’s data for New York State cannot be replicated with Hannon’scounty-level data from New York State. The reason for the discrepancy isunresolved. L. Lynne Kiesling and Robert Margo have examined the censusmanuscripts for the antebellum period, 1850 and 1860. They have found thatsome of Lebergott’s other state totals cannot be replicated by aggregatingto the county-level data (L. Lynne Kiesling and Robert A. Margo, “Explain-ing the Rise in Antebellum Pauperism, 1850–1860: New Evidence,” QuarterlyReview of Economics and Finance 37 (2) (1997): 405–17). Margo points out(in correspondence to Ziliak) that the numerator (the pauper expenditures)and the denominator (the average wage) of Lebergott’s “generosity” figureare unweighted, even in cases where census agents performed the arithmeticcorrectly. Margo suggests that it would be better to produce a generosity fig-ure built up from the county-level data, and then weighted by, for example,the number of paupers in each county.


TABLE Bf 34–149 Paupers enumerated in almshouses, by region and state: 1880–19231


Paupers enumerated

New England Middle AtlanticTotal,

United States Total Maine New Hampshire Vermont Massachusetts Rhode Island Connecticut Total New York New Jersey Pennsylvania

Bf34 Bf35 Bf36 Bf37 Bf38 Bf39 Bf40 Bf41 Bf42 Bf43 Bf44 Bf45

Year Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Number

1880 66,203 9,835 1,505 1,198 655 4,533 526 1,418 24,098 12,452 2,462 9,1841890 73,044 9,500 1,161 1,143 543 4,725 490 1,438 21,643 10,272 2,718 8,6531904 81,764 11,495 1,152 1,140 414 5,934 788 2,067 21,783 10,793 1,936 9,0541910 84,198 11,886 945 991 383 6,555 768 2,244 23,772 12,031 2,135 9,6061923 78,090 9,529 745 870 234 5,629 889 1,162 18,564 8,740 1,764 8,060

Note appears at end of table (continued)

Paupers enumerated

East North Central West North Central

Total Ohio Indiana Illinois Michigan Wisconsin Total Minnesota Iowa Missouri North Dakota South Dakota



1880 16,474 6,974 3,052 3,684 1,746 1,018 3,337 227 1,165 1,477 — —1890 20,279 7,400 2,927 5,395 1,916 2,641 5,336 365 1,621 2,378 35 531904 21,127 8,172 3,120 5,635 2,594 1,606 6,618 547 2,019 2,465 184 1591910 21,358 8,078 3,114 5,421 2,970 1,775 6,366 687 1,779 2,388 81 1451923 21,405 6,872 3,128 6,415 3,262 1,728 7,298 1,032 1,711 2,712 120 171


Paupers enumerated

West North Central South Atlantic

Nebraska Kansas Total Delaware Maryland District of Columbia Virginia West Virginia North Carolina South Carolina Georgia Florida



1880 113 355 6,975 387 1,187 184 2,117 711 1,275 519 550 451890 291 593 8,100 299 1,599 221 2,193 792 1,483 578 901 241904 464 780 8,298 278 1,633 230 1,915 881 1,519 686 1,032 1241910 551 735 7,706 366 1,681 276 1,688 808 1,389 478 813 2071923 573 979 6,875 277 1,368 313 1,211 702 1,474 451 872 207


Paupers enumerated

East South Central West South Central Mountain

Total Kentucky Tennessee Alabama Mississippi Total Arkansas Louisiana Oklahoma Texas Total Montana



1880 3,361 1,366 1,136 514 345 315 105 — — 210 152 —1890 4,240 1,578 1,545 623 494 809 223 122 — 464 367 1321904 4,768 1,678 1,812 761 517 1,689 575 149 52 913 1,283 3141910 4,266 1,522 1,569 739 436 1,630 534 187 48 861 1,652 4151923 4,097 1,457 1,477 768 395 2,075 578 174 250 1,073 1,778 324



TABLE Bf 34–149 Paupers enumerated in almshouses, by region and state: 1880–1923 Continued

Paupers enumerated

Mountain Pacific

Idaho Wyoming Colorado Arizona Utah Nevada Total Washington Oregon California

Bf82 Bf83 Bf84 Bf85 Bf86 Bf87 Bf88 Bf89 Bf90 Bf91

Year Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Number

1880 7 — 46 4 — 95 1,656 11 51 1,5941890 20 — 87 23 62 43 2,770 71 99 2,6001904 70 — 398 146 184 171 4,703 306 257 4,1401910 97 19 510 271 181 159 5,562 564 352 4,6461923 193 62 667 206 188 138 6,469 769 580 5,120


Paupers enumerated per 100,000 population

New England Middle Atlantic

Total, New RhodeUnited States Total Maine Hampshire Vermont Massachusetts Island Connecticut Total New York New Jersey Pennsylvania


Year Per 100,000 Per 100,000 Per 100,000 Per 100,000 Per 100,000 Per 100,000 Per 100,000 Per 100,000 Per 100,000 Per 100,000 Per 100,000 Per 100,000

1880 132.0 245.2 231.9 345.3 197.1 254.2 190.2 227.7 229.6 245.0 217.7 214.41890 116.5 202.1 175.6 303.6 163.3 211.0 141.8 192.7 170.4 171.3 188.1 164.61904 100.0 193.5 161.8 272.4 118.9 197.2 167.7 210.2 129.2 136.0 91.3 133.21910 91.5 181.4 127.3 230.2 107.6 194.7 141.5 201.3 123.1 132.0 84.1 125.31923 71.5 125.1 96.2 194.9 66.4 141.5 143.3 80.2 80.6 81.6 53.2 89.6



East North Central West North Central

Total Ohio Indiana Illinois Michigan Wisconsin Total Minnesota Iowa Missouri North Dakota South Dakota



1880 147.0 218.1 154.3 119.7 106.7 77.4 54.2 29.1 71.7 68.1 — —1890 150.5 201.5 133.5 141.0 91.5 156.6 60.0 28.0 84.8 88.8 19.2 16.11904 125.7 186.6 120.8 110.1 101.2 74.2 61.2 29.3 90.6 77.7 44.6 34.01910 117.0 169.5 115.3 96.1 105.7 76.1 54.7 33.1 80.0 72.5 14.0 24.81923 96.0 114.2 104.6 95.7 83.9 63.8 57.1 41.8 69.8 79.0 18.0 26.3



West North Central South Atlantic

District of West North SouthNebraska Kansas Total Delaware Maryland Columbia Virginia Virginia Carolina Carolina Georgia Florida



1880 25.0 35.6 91.8 264.0 127.0 103.6 140.0 115.0 91.1 52.1 35.7 16.71890 27.5 41.6 91.4 177.5 153.4 95.9 132.4 103.8 92.3 50.2 49.0 6.11904 41.7 50.3 74.9 145.5 138.1 77.3 99.3 83.6 75.7 48.9 43.7 20.31910 46.2 43.5 63.2 180.9 129.8 83.4 81.9 66.2 63.0 31.5 31.2 27.51923 43.3 54.7 47.6 121.3 91.8 71.5 51.0 46.0 55.6 26.1 29.4 20.2



TABLE Bf 34–149 Paupers enumerated in almshouses, by region and state: 1880–1923 Continued


East South Central West South Central

Total Kentucky Tennessee Alabama Mississippi Total Arkansas Louisiana Oklahoma Texas


Year Per 100,000 Per 100,000 Per 100,000 Per 100,000 Per 100,000 Per 100,000 Per 100,000 Per 100,000 Per 100,000 Per 100,000

1880 60.2 82.9 73.7 40.7 30.5 9.4 13.1 — — 13.21890 66.0 84.9 87.4 41.2 88.3 17.8 19.8 10.9 — 20.81904 60.7 76.3 87.1 39.2 31.5 23.0 40.9 10.0 4.7 27.21910 50.7 66.5 71.8 34.6 24.3 18.6 33.9 11.3 2.9 22.11923 45.4 59.5 62.1 32.0 22.1 19.5 32.1 9.5 11.8 22.1



Mountain Pacific

Total Montana Idaho Wyoming Colorado Arizona Utah Nevada Total Washington Oregon California



1880 23.3 — 21.5 — 23.7 9.9 — 152.6 148.6 14.6 29.2 184.31890 31.7 99.9 23.7 — 21.1 38.6 29.8 94.0 148.0 20.3 31.6 215.21904 63.4 107.7 31.6 — 62.8 95.8 59.0 301.7 153.6 41.1 50.6 228.91910 62.7 110.4 29.8 13 63.8 132.6 48.5 194.2 132.7 49.4 52.3 195.41923 50.6 54.6 42.0 30 68.4 56.0 40.1 178.3 109.3 54.5 71.4 138.5

1 Enumeration date June 1 through 1890; January 1 thereafter.

SourcePaupers in Almshouses: 1923 (U.S. Government Printing Office, 1926), Table4, p. 7. Notes for Table 4 appear in the report on pp. 1–5, 7.

DocumentationThe data report the number of paupers in public almshouses only. The datado not report the number of paupers receiving relief in their own homes–those receiving “outdoor relief” – and they do not include the number ofpaupers residing in privately financed almshouses or asylums. Therefore, thedata cannot be used as the only indicator of the extent of pauperism.

A great store of statistical data on indoor institutions – almshouses, poor-houses, workhouses, insane asylums, and houses of refuge – can be foundin the annual reports of the (variously named) State Boards of Charities andCorrections, and in the county-level reports that comprise them. One mayalso find state and national information on the laws and practices of publicassistance in the annual Proceedings of the National Conference of Charities andCorrections.

Although the word “pauper” slid away from American vocabularies formost of the twentieth century, the Bureau of the Census used the term duringthe first quarter of the twentieth century to categorize anyone who receivedpublic assistance. Prior to 1923, the Bureau of the Census took seven differ-ent censuses relating to paupers. A census of paupers was taken as a part ofeach decennial census from 1850 to 1880, while for 1904, 1910, and againfor 1923, a special census of paupers in public almshouses was taken. The

Bureau defined a public almshouse as an institution supported or controlledby town, municipal, county, or state authorities and used for the shelter ofpersons who are without means of self-support and who have no relativesable and willing or legally bound to aid them. The censuses of 1904, 1910,and 1923 included all public almshouses in the United States. The enumer-ations were made chiefly by officials of the institutions and covered not onlythe paupers who were inmates of almshouses on a given date but also thoseadmitted in the course of one year and those who were discharged or trans-ferred, or who died during one year.

No almshouse was maintained in New Mexico in the years covered bythis table.

For a quantitative analysis of these pauper census data, see Stephen T.Ziliak, “By Foot, by Ford, by Horse, by Hearse: In and Out of America’sAlmshouses, 1880–1923” (unpublished paper, Department of Economics,Bowling Green State University). A quantitative analysis of poorhouses inNew York State may be found in Joan Underhill Hannon, “Shutting DownWelfare: Two Cases From America’s Past,” Quarterly Review of Economics andFinance 37 (2) (1997): 419–38; Joan Underhill Hannon, “Poor Relief Policyin Antebellum New York State: The Rise and Decline of the Poorhouse,” Ex-plorations in Economic History 22 (1985): 233–56; and Joan Underhill Hannon,“Poverty and the Antebellum Northeast: The View from New York State’sPoor Relief Rolls,” Journal of Economic History 44 (4) (1984): 1007–32. For ageneral introduction to the history of the almshouse, see David J. Rothman,The Discovery of the Asylum (Little, Brown, 1971), and Michael B. Katz, In theShadow of the Poorhouse (Basic Books, 1986).


TABLE Bf 150–155 Paupers admitted to almshouses, by region and state: 1904–1922Contributed by Stephen T. Ziliak

Paupers admitted Paupers per 100,000 population

1904 1910 1922 1904 1910 1922

Bf150 Bf151 Bf152 Bf153 Bf154 Bf155

Region and state Number Number Number Per 100,000 Per 100,000 Per 100,000

United States 81,412 88,313 63,807 99.5 96.0 58.4New England 12,990 14,716 10,036 218.7 224.6 131.7

Maine 828 860 839 116.3 115.8 108.3New Hampshire 646 812 830 154.4 188.6 186.0Vermont 231 269 215 66.4 75.6 61.0Massachusetts 8,398 9,520 6,481 279.1 282.8 162.9Rhode Island 551 526 419 117.2 96.9 67.5Connecticut 2,336 2,729 1,252 237.6 244.8 86.4

Middle Atlantic 23,400 23,927 14,250 138.8 123.9 61.9New York 12,073 12,724 6,043 152.1 139.6 56.4New Jersey 1,589 1,736 1,116 74.9 68.4 33.7Pennsylvania 9,738 9,467 7,093 143.3 123.5 78.9

East North Central 16,901 17,116 15,604 100.6 93.8 70.0Ohio 7,091 5,825 4,150 161.9 122.2 69.0Indiana 1,800 1,741 1,739 69.7 64.5 58.2Illinois 4,446 5,590 5,949 86.9 99.1 88.7Michigan 2,476 2,783 2,944 96.5 99.0 75.7Wisconsin 1,092 1,177 822 50.4 50.4 30.3

West North Central 3,578 4,585 4,137 33.1 39.4 32.4Minnesota 517 815 563 27.7 39.3 22.8Iowa 896 823 766 40.2 37.0 31.3Missouri 1,123 1,151 1,124 35.4 34.9 32.7North Dakota 163 114 86 39.5 19.8 12.9South Dakota 150 160 138 32.1 27.4 21.2Nebraska 174 1,101 1,009 15.6 92.3 76.3Kansas 555 421 451 35.8 24.9 25.2

South Atlantic 7,227 7,945 6,396 65.2 65.2 44.3Delaware 183 430 283 95.8 212.5 123.9Maryland 1,617 1,949 1,845 131.8 150.5 123.9District of Columbia 148 171 155 49.7 51.7 35.4Virginia 2,159 2,404 1,211 111.9 116.6 51.0West Virginia 719 531 495 68.2 43.5 32.4North Carolina 863 728 801 43.0 33.0 30.2South Carolina 432 285 254 30.8 18.8 14.7Georgia 726 514 511 30.8 19.7 17.2Florida 380 933 841 62.3 124.0 82.1

East South Central 3,448 3,086 2,128 43.9 36.7 23.6Kentucky 1,013 1,133 666 46.1 49.5 27.2Tennessee 1,460 1,227 785 70.2 56.2 33.0Alabama 748 481 520 38.5 22.5 21.6Mississippi 227 245 157 13.8 13.6 8.8

West South Central 2,045 2,068 1,723 27.8 23.5 16.2Arkansas 982 849 728 69.8 53.9 40.5Louisiana 75 112 50 5.1 6.8 2.7Oklahoma 87 61 229 7.9 3.7 10.8Texas 901 1,046 716 26.8 26.8 14.7

Mountain 2,528 3,505 2,375 125.0 133.1 67.5Montana 759 926 473 260.4 246.2 79.9Idaho 168 177 148 75.9 54.4 32.2Wyoming — 53 44 — 36.3 21.3Colorado 694 697 905 109.5 87.2 92.7Arizona 436 1,015 527 285.9 496.7 143.4Utah 124 181 111 39.8 48.5 23.7Nevada 347 456 167 612.2 556.9 215.7

Pacific 9,295 11,365 7,158 303.7 271.1 120.9Washington 420 1,247 566 56.4 109.2 40.1Oregon 545 504 465 107.4 74.9 57.3California 8,330 9,614 6,127 460.5 404.4 165.7

SourcePaupers in Almshouses: 1923 (U.S. Government Printing Office, 1926), Table5, p. 8. Notes: pp. 1–5, 8.

DocumentationSee the text for Table Bf34–149.

No almshouse was maintained in New Mexico in the years covered bythis table, nor in Wyoming in 1904.


TABLE Bf 156–175 Local public poor relief expenditures and the value of pauper labor in New York State andNew York City, by type of relief: 1840–1895

Contributed by Joan Underhill Hannon

New York State New York City

Local public expenditures Local public expenditures

Public relief – Connected with county and Public relief – Connected with cityincluding or excluding city poorhouses – including including or excluding poorhouse – including

poorhouse repairs or excluding poorhouse poorhouse repairs or excluding poorhouseand improvements repairs and improvements and improvements repairs and improvements

Value ofpauper labor Value ofin city and pauper labor

Temporary county Temporary in cityIncluding Excluding outdoor relief Including Excluding poorhouses Including Excluding outdoor relief Including Excluding poorhouse


Year Dollars Dollars Dollars Dollars Dollars Dollars Dollars Dollars Dollars Dollars Dollars Dollars

1840 — 493,596 146,315 — 347,281 — — 188,683 28,019 — 160,664 —1841 — 508,214 150,205 — 358,009 55,211 — 195,997 24,060 — 171,937 27,5511842 — 485,793 163,128 — 322,665 32,611 — 170,188 26,894 — 143,294 2,9791843 — 558,741 240,205 — 318,536 58,895 — 192,908 55,748 — 137,160 26,9831844 — 537,932 214,268 — 323,664 37,754 — 205,143 50,859 — 154,284 6,000

1846 — 538,133 225,131 — 313,002 — — 205,604 65,134 — 140,470 —1847 — 674,843 257,662 — 417,181 — — 312,113 96,019 — 216,094 —1848 — — — — — — — — — — — —1849 — 797,985 331,328 — 466,657 — — 308,508 91,074 — 217,434 —

1850 — 691,064 295,730 — 395,334 — — 231,986 76,255 — 155,731 —1851 — 786,755 340,358 — 446,397 — — 264,329 71,904 — 192,425 —1852 — 939,731 409,814 — 529,917 — — 304,465 91,189 — 213,276 —1853 — 930,974 345,765 — 585,209 — — 296,286 82,136 — 214,150 —1854 — 1,057,923 380,100 — 677,823 — — 346,828 83,705 — 263,123 —

1855 — 1,316,048 504,484 — 811,564 — — 444,925 121,861 — 323,064 —1856 — 1,315,805 455,812 — 859,993 — — 442,509 95,522 — 346,987 —1857 — 1,218,034 443,383 — 774,651 — — 428,457 108,756 — 319,701 —1858 — 1,425,269 625,002 — 800,267 — — 490,883 139,731 — 351,152 —1859 — 1,297,699 586,511 — 711,188 — — 436,434 111,702 — 324,732 —

1860 — 1,286,701 524,551 — 762,150 — — 474,529 88,833 — 385,696 —1861 — 1,284,032 485,189 — 798,843 — — 463,930 69,162 — 394,768 —1862 — 1,187,152 475,687 — 711,465 — — 404,431 94,718 — 309,713 —1863 — 1,382,044 551,711 — 830,333 — — 439,056 83,751 — 355,305 —1864 — 1,803,757 682,086 — 1,121,671 — — 497,556 99,630 — 397,926 —

1865 — 2,252,606 761,087 — 1,491,519 — — 741,568 104,803 — 636,765 —1866 — 2,205,268 740,727 — 1,464,541 — — 701,279 90,529 — 610,750 —1867 — 2,306,709 759,840 — 1,546,869 — — 669,555 70,441 — 599,114 —1868 — 2,472,286 888,874 — 1,583,412 — — 777,479 135,858 — 641,621 —1869 — 2,326,951 866,583 — 1,460,368 — — 717,219 128,385 — 588,834 —

1870 2,625,349 2,415,785 916,809 1,708,540 1,498,976 — 814,463 740,551 126,360 688,103 614,191 —1871 2,337,853 2,180,068 716,487 1,621,366 1,463,581 — 814,719 752,104 123,732 690,987 628,372 —1872 2,266,649 2,163,015 747,159 1,519,490 1,415,856 — 823,021 772,735 104,051 718,970 668,684 —1873 2,580,806 2,503,373 841,958 1,738,848 1,661,415 — 877,649 828,689 104,165 773,484 724,524 —1874 2,648,146 2,525,039 1,021,946 1,626,200 1,503,093 — 790,103 777,283 102,102 688,001 675,181 —

1875 2,643,908 2,502,904 944,671 1,699,237 1,558,233 — 833,363 756,396 95,521 737,842 660,875 —1876 2,563,607 2,499,267 931,877 1,631,730 1,567,390 — 786,877 759,253 74,395 712,482 684,858 —1877 2,737,795 2,643,362 1,095,231 1,642,564 1,548,131 — 799,425 771,545 83,248 716,177 688,297 —1878 2,519,429 2,414,610 938,450 1,580,979 1,476,160 — 755,705 732,515 59,430 696,275 673,085 —1879 2,403,342 2,312,033 788,766 1,614,576 1,523,267 — 827,537 801,775 59,909 767,628 741,866 —

1880 2,301,816 1,958,742 743,258 1,558,558 1,215,484 — 854,305 841,993 58,701 795,604 783,292 —1881 — — — — — — — — — — — —1882 — — — — — — — — — — — —1883 2,659,290 2,538,165 636,917 2,022,373 1,901,248 — 1,070,320 1,010,270 57,488 1,012,832 952,782 —1884 2,568,653 2,460,920 651,305 1,917,348 1,809,615 — 949,304 910,364 38,995 910,309 871,369 —

1885 2,644,120 2,543,007 732,514 1,911,606 1,810,493 — 930,833 894,038 63,100 867,733 830,938 —1886 2,946,429 2,832,239 811,687 2,134,742 2,020,552 — 1,175,382 1,118,882 74,699 1,100,683 1,044,183 —1887 2,909,244 2,849,956 734,071 2,175,173 2,115,885 — 1,164,713 1,164,713 69,365 1,095,348 1,095,348 —1888 3,797,968 3,731,889 756,010 3,041,958 2,975,879 — 1,898,611 1,898,611 62,030 1,836,581 1,836,581 —1889 3,801,615 3,432,340 742,389 3,059,226 2,689,951 — 1,802,663 1,502,432 61,975 1,740,688 1,440,457 —

1890 3,036,717 2,898,174 710,886 2,325,831 2,187,288 — 1,635,127 1,537,027 40,000 1,595,127 1,497,027 —1891 3,627,996 3,368,216 710,476 2,917,520 2,657,740 — 1,571,390 1,396,663 39,940 1,531,450 1,356,723 —1892 3,147,063 3,045,502 663,369 2,483,694 2,382,133 — 1,121,724 1,094,474 40,000 1,081,724 1,054,474 —1893 3,857,476 3,657,874 671,698 3,185,778 2,986,176 — 1,790,188 1,760,488 40,000 1,750,188 1,720,488 —1894 3,939,240 3,784,940 758,488 3,180,752 3,026,452 — 1,828,102 1,805,957 82,500 1,745,602 1,723,457 —

1895 3,839,829 3,739,783 743,654 3,096,175 2,996,129 — 1,814,875 1,794,675 60,000 1,754,875 1,734,675 —

(continued)


TABLE Bf 156–175 Local public poor relief expenditures and the value of pauper labor in New York State andNew York City, by type of relief: 1840–1895 Continued

Population of countiescovered by public

New York State, excluding New York City poor relief data

Local public expenditures

Public relief – Connected with county andincluding or excluding city poorhouses – including

poorhouse repairs or excluding poorhouseand improvements repairs and improvements

Value ofpauper labor New York

in city State,Temporary and county New York excluding

Including Excluding outdoor relief Including Excluding poorhouses State New York City

Bf168 Bf169 Bf170 Bf171 Bf172 Bf173 Bf174 Bf175

Year Dollars Dollars Dollars Dollars Dollars Dollars Number Number

1840 — 304,913 118,296 — 186,617 28,500 2,210,040 1,897,3301841 — 312,217 126,145 — 186,072 27,660 2,264,902 1,941,2781842 — 315,605 136,234 — 179,371 29,632 2,284,270 1,949,3521843 — 365,833 184,457 — 181,376 31,912 2,375,145 2,028,5381844 — 332,789 163,409 — 169,380 31,754 2,256,578 1,897,874

1846 — 332,529 159,997 — 172,532 35,075 2,552,473 2,156,0481847 — 362,730 161,643 — 201,087 25,951 2,672,359 2,249,0201848 — 360,124 177,103 — 183,021 32,046 — 2,027,2481849 — 489,477 240,254 — 249,223 31,155 2,837,114 2,354,345

1850 — 459,078 219,475 — 239,603 36,277 2,764,045 2,248,4981851 — 522,426 268,454 — 253,972 32,590 2,777,283 2,240,6601852 — 635,266 318,625 — 316,641 39,272 2,900,492 2,341,9311853 — 634,688 263,629 — 371,059 30,115 2,781,408 2,200,0121854 — 711,095 296,395 — 414,700 26,647 2,920,427 2,315,263

1855 — 871,123 382,623 — 488,500 24,382 3,056,005 2,426,1011856 — 873,296 360,290 — 513,006 27,305 3,142,345 2,479,3521857 — 789,577 334,627 — 454,950 22,920 2,966,809 2,268,9881858 — 934,386 485,271 — 449,115 24,953 3,283,127 2,548,6501859 — 861,265 474,809 — 386,456 28,223 3,418,462 2,645,402

1860 — 812,172 435,718 — 376,454 38,448 3,313,667 2,499,9981861 — 820,102 416,027 — 404,075 23,766 3,283,893 2,488,4821862 — 782,721 380,969 — 401,752 26,667 3,175,676 2,398,1131863 — 942,988 467,960 — 475,028 40,264 3,323,461 2,563,3461864 — 1,306,201 582,456 — 723,745 33,170 3,469,725 2,726,666

1865 — 1,511,038 656,284 — 854,754 27,495 3,424,714 2,698,3281866 — 1,503,989 650,198 — 853,791 29,105 3,358,869 2,593,6761867 — 1,637,154 689,399 — 947,755 31,555 3,698,820 2,892,7461868 — 1,694,807 753,016 — 941,791 36,041 3,578,741 2,729,6031869 — 1,609,732 738,198 — 871,534 25,849 3,666,146 2,771,643

1870 1,810,886 1,675,235 790,449 1,020,437 884,786 32,537 3,978,362 3,036,0701871 1,523,134 1,427,963 592,755 930,379 835,208 27,526 3,841,832 2,880,4141872 1,443,628 1,390,280 643,108 800,520 747,172 30,247 3,861,122 2,880,1891873 1,703,157 1,674,684 737,793 965,364 936,891 33,255 4,216,052 3,215,2091874 1,858,043 1,747,757 919,844 938,199 827,913 37,345 4,086,236 3,065,077

1875 1,810,545 1,746,508 849,150 961,395 897,358 32,537 4,336,503 3,294,6171876 1,776,730 1,740,014 857,482 919,248 882,532 27,526 4,525,032 3,452,1621877 1,938,370 1,871,817 1,011,983 926,387 859,834 30,247 4,479,337 3,374,6011878 1,763,724 1,682,095 879,020 884,704 803,075 33,255 4,584,337 3,446,7071879 1,575,805 1,510,257 728,857 846,948 781,400 37,345 4,617,888 3,446,427

1880 1,447,511 1,116,749 684,557 762,954 432,192 73,622 4,413,530 3,207,2311881 1,208,520 1,088,071 669,639 538,881 418,432 42,410 2,634,505 2,634,5051882 1,259,676 1,214,267 609,479 650,197 604,788 34,507 2,951,550 2,951,5501883 1,588,970 1,527,895 579,429 1,009,541 948,466 63,106 6,495,255 5,203,5361884 1,619,349 1,550,556 612,310 1,007,039 938,246 73,934 4,888,560 3,567,044

1885 1,713,287 1,648,970 669,414 1,043,873 979,556 85,462 4,992,472 3,640,4711886 1,771,047 1,713,357 736,988 1,034,059 976,369 86,460 5,049,364 3,666,1761887 1,744,531 1,685,243 664,706 1,079,825 1,020,537 101,928 5,273,216 3,858,1211888 1,899,357 1,833,278 693,980 1,205,377 1,139,298 97,557 5,477,201 4,029,4631889 1,998,952 1,929,908 680,414 1,318,538 1,249,494 98,822 5,526,731 4,045,596

1890 1,401,590 1,361,147 670,886 730,704 690,261 66,987 4,799,547 3,284,2461891 2,056,606 1,971,553 670,536 1,386,070 1,301,017 93,603 5,515,215 3,953,3731892 2,025,339 1,951,028 623,369 1,401,970 1,327,659 124,636 5,674,781 4,064,9681893 2,067,288 1,897,386 631,698 1,435,590 1,265,688 80,255 5,791,579 4,132,3231894 2,111,138 1,978,983 675,988 1,435,150 1,302,995 104,187 5,951,105 4,240,886

1895 2,024,954 1,945,108 683,654 1,341,300 1,261,454 97,535 5,883,048 4,120,301

(continued)


TABLE Bf 156–175 Local public poor relief expenditures and the value of pauper labor in New York State andNew York City, by type of relief: 1840–1895 Continued

SourcesPreviously unpublished data compiled from the following sources: New YorkSecretary of State, Annual Reports of the Secretary of State in Relation to the Statis-tics of the Poor, 1831–1896, in New York State Legislature, Assembly, AssemblyDocuments 1831, volume 1, number 66; 1832, volume 1, number 33; 1833,volume 2, number 38; 1834, volume 3, number 173; 1835, volume 3, number185; 1836, volume 2, number 72; 1837, volume 3, number 270; 1838, volume6, number 311; 1839, volume 3, number 146; 1840, volume 8, number 332;1841, volume 7, number 227; 1842, volume 5, number 121; 1843, volume2, number 38; 1845, volume 5, number 197; 1850, volume 6, number 169;1851, volume 5, number 147; 1853, volume 6, number 120; 1854, volume4, number 144; 1856, volume 5, number 214; 1858, volume 1, number 10;1859, volume 3, number 101; 1860, volume 2, number 71; 1861, volume2, number 60; 1863, volume 8, number 230; 1864, volume 8, number 198;1865, volume 7, number 147; 1866, volume 7, number 165; 1867, volume7, number 145; 1868, volume 9, number 88; 1869, volume 6, number 79;1870, volume 6, number 124; 1871, volume 3, number 46; 1872, volume 3,number 48; 1873, volume 3, number 32; 1877, volume 9, number 142; 1880,volume 3, number 62; 1881, volume 4, number 64; 1882, volume 2, number34; 1884, volume 5, number 59; 1885, volume 5, number 45; 1886, volume3, number 45; 1887, volume 7, number 46; 1890, volume 10, number 58;1891, volume 12, number 60; 1892, volume 6, number 43; 1893, volume10, number 58; 1894, volume 10, number 72; 1895, volume 13, number74; 1896, volume 18, number 84; and New York State Legislature, Senate,Senate Documents, 1844, volume 2, number 73; 1847, volume 3, number 100;1848, volume 3, number 79; 1849, volume 3, number 83; 1855, volume3, number 72; 1857, volume 4, number 131; 1862, volume 4, number 65;1874, volume 4, number 62; 1875, volume 4, number 52; 1876, volume 3,number 46; 1878, volume 2, number 28; 1879, volume 2, number 34; 1883,volume 2, number 25; 1888, volume 5, number 44; and 1889, volume 6,number 40.

DocumentationSee the essay in this chapter on public assistance, colonial times to the 1920s,for additional information on public relief in New York.

Five-year averages of real public relief expenditures per recipient and percapita appear in Joan Underhill Hannon, “Shutting Down Welfare: Two Casesfrom America’s Past,” Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance 37 (2) (1997):419–38. Data reported here reflect minor revisions and corrections to thereal relief expenditures per capita and per recipient and the poorhouse ex-penditures as a share of total reported as five-year averages by region for theperiod 1835–1859 in Joan Underhill Hannon, “Poor Relief Policy in Antebel-lum New York State: The Rise and Decline of the Poorhouse,” Explorations inEconomic History 22 (Academic Press, 1985), pp. 233–56, and in Joan Under-hill Hannon, “The Generosity of Antebellum Poor Relief,” Journal of EconomicHistory 44 (3) (1984): 810–21.

Over the second half of the nineteenth century, state law graduallytransferred some categories of relief recipients out of the system coveredby the series on local relief expenditures. Most significantly, an 1865 actrequired the removal of insane paupers from poorhouses to state asy-lums, and an 1875 act mandated the removal of children from poorhousesto orphanages or other charitable institutions. Though local governmentspaid for the support of the insane and children in these institutions, theseexpenditures are not included in the data on local public relief expenditures,

series Bf156–173. Some evidence on their magnitude is reported in Hannon(1997).

Tables B and C in each Annual Report from 1840 to 1895 provide the dataon expenses connected with county poorhouses and expenses of adminis-tering temporary relief in total and for various subcomponents by countyand for the whole state. The reported state totals are not used here for sev-eral reasons. First, each year some counties failed to report on some or allexpenditure categories; the published state totals simply treat such missingdata as zeros. Second, to have series on expenditures that cover the samecounties each year as the data on recipients, series Bf176–187, counties thatfailed to report or reported internally inconsistent data on recipients wereeliminated. The public relief expenditure data, series Bf156–173, and thepublic relief recipient data, series Bf176–187, cover the same set of countiesfor which consistent and complete data were available in any given year,but the included counties vary slightly from year to year. In no year do thecovered counties represent less than 80 percent of the state’s non–New YorkCity population; but year-to-year fluctuations in the level of expendituresmay reflect changes in county coverage, and per capita figures should not becalculated using total state population in the denominator. For this purpose,series Bf174–175 provide the population of counties covered by public poorrelief data for New York State and for the state excluding New York City,assuming constant exponential population growth in each county betweencensus years.

Prior to 1870, the reported subcomponents of poorhouse expendituresare payments to superintendents of the poor, payments to keepers and poor-house officers, payments to constables and other officers, payments forsupplies for the county poorhouse, payments for transportation of paupers,payments to physicians for attendance and medicine, and miscellaneous ex-penses connected with the poorhouse. The total of these components isincluded in the series on poorhouse expenditures excluding repairs and im-provements of buildings and grounds, series Bf160, Bf166, and Bf172. In1870, an additional category, expenditures for repairs and improvements ofbuildings and grounds, appears, providing the basis for the series on poor-house expenditures including repairs and improvements of buildings andgrounds, series Bf159, Bf165, and Bf171.

Series including or excluding poorhouse repairs and improvements referto expenditures for both poorhouse buildings and grounds.

Series Bf156–157, Bf162–163, and Bf168–169. The series on total expen-ditures including and excluding repairs and improvements are the sum of thepoorhouse and temporary outdoor relief columns. The data on expendituresubcomponents are used to divide both poorhouse and outdoor relief ex-penditures between administrative and direct relief costs in Hannon (1997).

Series Bf158 and Bf164–165. The subcomponents included in the series onexpenditures for temporary outdoor relief are payments to overseers of thepoor for their services, payments to justices of the peace for their services,and payments for relieving indigent persons temporarily not included in thetwo foregoing.

Series Bf161, Bf167, and Bf173. Many county poorhouses maintainedfarms on which residents worked. Pauper labor was also used in the daily op-erations of the poorhouse; and picking oakum, breaking stones, or choppingwood were common winter tasks. The series on the value of pauper labor inthe poorhouse are from Table D of each year’s Annual Report on Statistics of thePoor.


TABLE Bf 176–187 Local public relief recipients in New York State and New York City, by type of relief: 1840–1895Contributed by Joan Underhill Hannon

Population of countiesNew York State, excluding covered by public

New York State New York City New York City poor relief data

Persons Persons Persons Families Persons Persons New Yorkreceiving supported receiving receiving Persons receiving supported State,

Persons temporary in county Persons temporary temporary supported Persons temporary in county excludingrelieved or outdoor and city relieved or outdoor outdoor in city relieved or outdoor and city New York New Yorksupported relief poorhouses supported relief relief poorhouse supported relief poorhouses State City



1840 57,935 36,843 21,092 27,553 19,690 — 7,863 30,382 17,153 13,229 2,210,040 1,897,3301841 62,230 41,679 20,551 28,221 20,461 — 7,760 34,009 21,218 12,791 2,264,902 1,941,2781842 60,314 39,745 20,569 29,951 21,960 — 7,991 30,363 17,785 12,578 2,284,270 1,949,3521843 84,667 62,512 22,155 40,765 32,777 — 7,988 43,902 29,735 14,167 2,375,145 2,028,5381844 99,582 78,546 21,036 61,163 52,920 — 8,243 38,419 25,626 12,793 2,256,578 1,897,874

1846 99,432 73,047 26,385 58,049 45,272 — 12,777 41,383 27,775 13,608 2,552,473 2,156,0481847 105,525 74,486 31,039 54,647 40,000 — 14,647 50,878 34,486 16,392 2,672,359 2,249,0201848 — — — — — — — 54,291 39,179 15,112 — 2,027,2481849 101,201 66,408 34,793 31,770 18,066 — 13,704 69,431 48,342 21,089 2,837,114 2,354,345

1850 114,840 84,089 30,751 50,251 38,054 — 12,197 64,589 46,035 18,554 2,764,045 2,248,4981851 122,505 87,855 34,650 56,526 41,140 — 15,386 65,979 46,715 19,264 2,777,283 2,240,6601852 153,466 113,265 40,201 61,416 46,634 — 14,782 92,050 66,631 25,419 2,900,492 2,341,9311853 128,831 94,798 34,033 55,823 41,622 — 14,201 73,008 53,176 19,832 2,781,408 2,200,0121854 135,979 97,613 38,366 58,183 42,136 — 16,047 77,796 55,477 22,319 2,920,427 2,315,263

1855 198,600 160,571 38,029 101,166 85,136 — 16,030 97,434 75,435 21,999 3,056,005 2,426,1011856 177,766 142,177 35,589 91,225 75,861 — 15,364 86,541 66,316 20,225 3,142,345 2,479,3521857 171,794 136,035 35,759 91,660 73,811 — 17,849 80,134 62,224 17,910 2,966,809 2,268,9881858 258,263 214,633 43,630 130,213 110,822 — 19,391 128,050 103,811 24,239 3,283,127 2,548,6501859 228,456 184,874 43,582 107,872 87,850 — 20,022 120,584 97,024 23,560 3,418,462 2,645,402

1860 218,459 175,587 42,872 112,625 91,543 — 21,082 105,834 84,044 21,790 3,313,667 2,499,9981861 308,912 267,389 41,523 208,050 189,433 — 18,617 100,862 77,956 22,906 3,283,893 2,488,4821862 251,129 218,340 32,789 152,703 138,270 — 14,433 98,426 80,070 18,356 3,175,676 2,398,1131863 259,079 221,186 37,893 159,453 143,618 — 15,835 99,626 77,568 22,058 3,323,461 2,563,3461864 267,296 227,500 39,796 161,224 143,938 — 17,286 106,072 83,562 22,510 3,469,725 2,726,666

1865 277,749 228,269 49,480 169,963 143,758 — 26,205 107,786 84,511 23,275 3,424,714 2,698,3281866 267,938 219,581 48,357 161,220 135,629 — 25,591 106,655 83,889 22,766 3,358,869 2,593,6761867 261,982 212,440 49,542 156,924 133,660 — 23,264 105,058 78,780 26,278 3,698,820 2,892,7461868 360,524 310,521 50,003 247,996 222,764 — 25,232 112,528 87,757 24,771 3,578,741 2,729,6031869 — — 49,543 — — 19,616 26,552 147,727 124,736 22,991 3,666,146 2,771,643

1870 — — 56,671 — — 5,834 29,761 124,366 97,456 26,910 3,978,362 3,036,0701871 — — 56,462 — — 4,970 30,288 80,929 54,755 26,174 3,841,832 2,880,4141872 — — 55,554 — — 8,429 31,805 95,219 71,470 23,749 3,861,122 2,880,1891873 — — 58,893 — — 9,263 31,880 98,307 71,294 27,013 4,216,052 3,215,2091874 — — 66,753 — — 11,511 33,326 146,410 112,983 33,427 4,086,236 3,065,077

1875 — — 63,346 — — 27,153 27,846 175,856 140,356 35,500 4,336,503 3,294,6171876 — — 60,679 — — 6,431 27,094 182,019 148,434 33,585 4,525,032 3,452,1621877 — — 62,259 — — 15,391 28,802 207,568 174,111 33,457 4,479,337 3,374,6011878 — — 61,370 — — 13,519 30,365 185,736 154,731 31,005 4,584,337 3,446,7071879 — — 57,897 — — 15,101 31,102 107,867 81,072 26,795 4,617,888 3,446,427

1880 — — 54,881 — — 13,749 30,947 92,347 68,813 23,534 4,413,530 3,207,2311881 — — 14,122 — — — — 71,917 57,795 14,122 2,634,505 2,634,5051882 — — 13,789 — — — — 64,866 51,077 13,789 2,951,550 2,951,5501883 — — 63,531 — — 9,215 38,771 80,744 55,984 24,760 6,495,255 5,203,5361884 — — 65,706 — — 7,851 40,744 73,885 48,923 24,962 4,888,560 3,567,044

1885 — — 67,606 — — 8,890 39,928 81,626 53,948 27,678 4,992,472 3,640,4711886 — — 65,577 — — 8,093 38,972 73,897 47,292 26,605 5,049,364 3,666,1761887 — — 67,639 — — 5,172 40,938 71,716 45,015 26,701 5,273,216 3,858,1211888 — — 70,260 — — 7,607 42,664 77,100 49,504 27,596 5,477,201 4,029,4631889 — — 75,800 — — 7,687 48,921 80,272 53,393 26,879 5,526,731 4,045,596

1890 169,011 103,283 65,728 98,102 49,195 6,597 48,907 70,909 54,088 16,821 4,799,547 3,284,2461891 208,018 131,768 76,250 124,393 74,458 8,471 49,935 83,625 57,310 26,315 5,515,215 3,953,3731892 213,359 134,493 78,866 132,832 79,099 8,746 53,733 80,527 55,394 25,133 5,674,781 4,064,9681893 206,452 121,148 85,304 126,252 67,806 7,138 58,446 80,200 53,342 26,858 5,791,579 4,132,3231894 191,253 102,615 88,638 76,683 21,153 — 55,530 114,570 81,462 33,108 5,951,105 4,240,886

1895 206,324 135,966 70,358 95,237 56,302 — 38,935 111,087 79,664 31,423 5,883,048 4,120,301

(continued)


TABLE Bf 176–187 Local public relief recipients in New York State and New York City, by type of relief: 1840–1895Continued

SourcePreviously unpublished data compiled from the following sources: New YorkSecretary of State Annual Reports of the Secretary of State In Relation to the Statis-tics of the Poor, 1831–1896, in New York State Legislature, Assembly, AssemblyDocuments 1831, volume 1, number 66; 1832, volume 1, number 33; 1833,volume 2, number 38; 1834, volume 3, number 173; 1835, volume 3, number185; 1836, volume 2, number 72; 1837, volume 3, number 270; 1838, volume6, number 311; 1839, volume 3, number 146; 1840, volume 8, number 332;1841, volume 7, number 227; 1842, volume 5, number 121; 1843, volume2, number 38; 1845, volume 5, number 197; 1850, volume 6, number 169;1851, volume 5, number 147; 1853, volume 6, number 120; 1854, volume4, number 144; 1856, volume 5, number 214; 1858, volume 1, number 10;1859, volume 3, number 101; 1860, volume 2, number 71; 1861, volume2, number 60; 1863, volume 8, number 230; 1864, volume 8, number 198;1865, volume 7, number 147; 1866, volume 7, number 165; 1867, volume7, number 145; 1868, volume 9, number 88; 1869, volume 6, number 79;1870, volume 6, number 124; 1871, volume 3, number 46; 1872, volume 3,number 48; 1873, volume 3, number 32; 1877, volume 9, number 142; 1880,volume 3, number 62; 1881, volume 4, number 64; 1882, volume 2, number34; 1884, volume 5, number 59; 1885, volume 5, number 45; 1886, volume3, number 45; 1887, volume 7, number 46; 1890, volume 10, number 58;1891, volume 12, number 60; 1892, volume 6, number 43; 1893, volume10, number 58; 1894, volume 10, number 72; 1895, volume 13, number 74;1896, volume 18, number 84; and New York State Legislature, Senate, SenateDocuments, 1844, volume 2, number 73; 1847, volume 3, number 100; 1848,volume 3, number 79; 1849, volume 3, number 83; 1855, volume 3, number72; 1857, volume 4, number 131; 1862, volume 4, number 65; 1874, volume4, number 62; 1875, volume 4, number 52; 1876, volume 3, number 46;1878, volume 2, number 28; 1879, volume 2, number 34; 1883, volume 2,number 25; 1888, volume 5, number 44; and 1889, volume 6, number 40,and from New York State Board of Charities, Annual Reports, 1875–1897.DocumentationSee the essay in this chapter on public assistance, colonial times to the 1920s,for additional information on public relief in New York.

Five-year averages of relief recipients as a percentage of the populationand of the fraction of all recipients supported in the poorhouse appear inJoan Underhill Hannon, “Shutting Down Welfare: Two Cases From America’sPast,” Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance 37 (2) (1997): 419–38. Reliefrecipient data reported here reflect minor corrections and revisions to thatreported for 1835–1860 in Joan Underhill Hannon, “Poverty in the Antebel-lum Northeast: The View from New York State’s Poor Relief Rolls,” Journal ofEconomic History 44 (4) (1984): 1007–32, and Joan Underhill Hannon, “PoorRelief Policy in Antebellum New York State: The Rise and Decline of the Poor-house,” Explorations in Economic History (Academic Press, 1984), Tables 1 and 5.

Over the second half of the nineteenth century, state law gradually trans-ferred some categories of relief recipients out of the system of local outdoorand poorhouse relief. Most significantly, an 1865 act required the removalof insane paupers from poorhouses to state asylums, and an 1875 act man-dated the removal of children from poorhouses to orphanages or othercharitable institutions. Though local governments paid for the support ofthe insane and children in these institutions, the recipients are not includedin the data on local public relief recipients, series Bf176–185. Estimates ofthe number of recipients involved are reported in Joan Underhill Hannon,“Public Relief Dependency before the Welfare State: The Interplay of LifeCycles, Labor Markets, and Policy in Nineteenth Century New York State”(unpublished manuscript presented to the American Economic Association,January 1997), Figure 2.

The relief recipient data are constructed from two tables in the NewYork Secretary of State’s Annual Reports on Statistics of the Poor. Table A re-ports by county the whole number of paupers relieved or supported andthe number of persons temporarily relieved during the year ended December1 of each year. Table E reports by county the number of persons receivedinto and born in the poorhouse and the number who left the poorhouse(died, bound out, discharged, or absconded) during the year, along with thenumber remaining in the poorhouse on December 1. Unfortunately, somecounties failed to provide information in some categories; and in deriving

state totals, the published reports did not distinguish between zeros andmissing data. Moreover, individual county reports on the number of recipi-ents are often internally inconsistent.

The reports offer three logical ways to calculate the number supportedin the poorhouse during the year. First, one can subtract the number tem-porarily relieved outdoors from the total relieved and supported. Second,one can add the number in the poorhouse at the end of the previous yearto the number received and born in the poorhouse during the year. Third,one can take the sum of those reported leaving the poorhouse during theyear and those remaining in the poorhouse at year-end. The three methodsoften yielded different results. Sometimes the reason for the discrepancy wasreadily apparent. Quite often, for example, it was clear that a county hadincluded those already in the poorhouse at the end of the previous year inthe number for those received during the year, producing by method 2 afigure that was too high by exactly the number in the house at the end of theprevious year. If the source of the discrepancy could not be identified andcorrected, the figures reported for number of persons supported in countyand city poorhouses during the year (series Bf178, Bf182, and Bf185) forthe period from 1840 to 1875 are based on the following procedure: If thedifferences between the three estimates were small (on the order of less than5 percentage points), the middle figure was used. If the unexplained discrep-ancy was large, the data for that county were not used for that year.

Beginning in 1875, all issues of Annual Reports of the New York State Board ofCharities include data on local public relief. Though the State Board of Char-ities worked with the same county superintendents’ annual reports to theSecretary of State, the Board of Charities did not simply replicate the tablesfrom the Secretary of State’s Annual Reports. Instead, the Board of Charitiescalculated the number of poorhouse recipients according to the second pro-cedure described earlier (the sum of the number in the poorhouse at the endof the previous years, and those received and those born in the poorhouseduring the year). They added the resulting figure to the number temporarilyrelieved outdoors to get the total number relieved and supported. The figuresreported by the State Board of Charities are always internally consistent butdo not always match those reported by the Secretary of State. Often, notesto the tables indicate that the Board of Charities returned a report to thecounty superintendent for correction or clarification. For the period 1875–1895, the three methods outlined here were used to derive estimates of thenumber supported in the poorhouse from the Annual Reports of the Secretary ofState and those were compared with the figure reported by the State Boardof Charities. If one of the estimates matched that of the Board of Charitiesor if the differences between them were small, the figure from the Board ofCharities was used. If there were large inexplicable discrepancies, the datafor that county were not used for that year.

Series Bf176, Bf179, and Bf183. Calculated as the sum of the series onpersons receiving temporary outdoor relief and those supported in the poor-house. The series include only those counties for which both poorhouseand temporary outdoor recipient data are available. Though the countiesincluded in the data set are the same for all series in a given year, includedcounties vary from year to year. As a result, the raw data may not accuratelyreflect year-to-year fluctuations in the total number of recipients; and percapita figures should not be calculated using total state population in thedenominator. For this purpose, series Bf186–187 provide the population ofcounties covered by public poor relief data for New York State and for thestate excluding New York City, assuming constant exponential populationgrowth in each county between Census years.

Series Bf180–181. For 1840–1868, the data come directly from the AnnualReports of the Secretary of State. From 1869 through 1893, all issues of the AnnualReports of the Secretary of State report the number of families receiving tempo-rary outdoor relief in New York City, series Bf181, rather than the number ofindividuals. For four of those years, 1890–1893, the number of persons receiv-ing temporary outdoor relief in New York City is reported in the Annual Reportof the State Board of Charities, and those figures are included in series Bf180.

Series Bf184. Derived from the Annual Reports of the Secretary of State, but in-cludes only those counties for which data on the number supported in thepoorhouse are also available.


SOCIAL WELFARE EXPENDITURES


TABLE Bf 188–195 Public expenditures on social welfare: 1890–19951

Contributed by Price V. Fishback and Melissa A. Thomasson

Health and Veterans’ Other socialTotal Social insurance Public aid medical programs programs Education Housing welfare programs


Fiscal year Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars

1890 318.0 — — 4 18.0 113.0 146.0 — 41.0 4

1913 1,000.0 15.0 — 4 150.0 196.0 525.0 — 114.0 4

1929 3,921.2 342.4 60.0 351.1 657.9 2,433.7 — 76.2

1930 4,084.9 360.9 77.8 378.1 667.8 2,522.8 — 77.51931 4,200.8 368.3 164.0 405.8 744.3 2,439.6 — 78.81932 4,303.4 355.3 255.9 434.5 825.0 2,351.8 — 80.91933 4,462.2 343.9 689.1 417.6 818.8 2,104.0 — 88.81934 5,832.0 361.8 2,530.5 400.3 529.5 1,913.8 0.4 95.8

1935 6,548.3 406.3 2,997.6 427.2 597.5 2,007.5 13.2 99.01936 10,184.2 455.6 3,079.4 453.9 3,825.5 2,227.6 41.7 100.51937 7,858.2 545.2 3,436.0 500.1 892.7 2,375.7 3.1 105.41938 7,923.5 848.6 3,232.9 539.5 627.3 2,563.0 3.9 108.21939 9,212.9 1,181.2 4,229.6 575.2 606.1 2,503.7 3.4 113.8

1940 8,795.1 1,271.8 3,597.0 615.5 629.0 2,561.2 4.2 116.41941 8,953.4 1,330.0 3,523.7 724.4 612.9 2,617.2 8.9 136.41942 8,609.2 1,375.6 2,777.1 948.7 645.4 2,694.2 14.3 153.91943 8,283.1 1,258.7 1,549.7 1,885.8 623.3 2,793.3 13.6 158.61944 8,227.6 1,255.7 1,031.5 2,225.1 720.0 2,800.4 13.3 181.6

1945 9,205.3 1,409.4 1,030.6 2,354.2 1,125.8 3,076.3 11.1 197.91946 12,797.9 3,652.1 1,150.6 1,904.1 2,402.9 3,296.8 158.7 232.71947 17,337.0 4,160.0 1,441.8 1,367.0 5,682.5 4,089.0 280.9 315.61948 18,652.3 3,602.8 1,702.0 1,416.0 6,638.2 4,897.3 27.3 368.81949 21,164.9 4,185.8 2,089.1 1,753.1 6,926.7 5,806.6 7.7 395.9

1950 23,508.4 4,946.6 2,496.2 2,063.5 6,865.7 6,674.1 14.6 447.71951 24,054.7 4,772.2 2,591.7 2,782.8 5,996.0 7,415.1 35.0 461.91952 25,576.4 5,671.0 2,584.7 3,331.3 5,255.6 8,245.7 37.1 451.01953 27,044.9 6,607.3 2,727.9 3,190.4 4,734.7 9,230.9 50.6 503.01954 29,546.8 8,264.7 2,788.2 3,099.1 4,630.9 10,084.4 67.4 612.1

1955 32,639.9 9,834.9 3,003.0 3,103.1 4,833.5 11,157.2 89.3 619.01956 35,130.6 10,646.1 3,114.7 3,307.1 5,061.2 12,154.4 111.7 735.41957 39,350.4 12,471.8 3,308.5 3,775.8 5,118.8 13,732.3 120.2 823.01958 45,456.9 15,956.7 3,615.4 4,090.9 5,426.7 15,312.6 134.2 920.41959 49,821.4 18,286.5 3,997.9 4,400.6 5,472.3 16,498.3 156.2 1,009.6

1960 52,293.3 2 19,306.7 4,101.1 4,463.8 2 5,479.2 17,626.2 176.8 1,139.41961 58,236.0 22,364.9 4,444.3 4,927.0 5,623.7 19,337.2 196.1 1,342.81962 62,658.8 24,193.8 4,945.3 5,229.8 5,654.1 21,004.6 216.6 1,414.51963 66,766.2 25,613.5 5,295.9 5,593.5 5,751.2 22,670.7 248.1 1,593.41964 71,491.1 26,971.3 5,642.1 6,003.5 5,861.5 24,989.0 277.7 1,746.0

1965 77,083.8 28,122.8 6,283.4 6,155.0 6,031.1 28,107.8 318.1 2,065.61966 87,802.8 3 31,934.6 7,301.1 6,740.0 6,358.3 32,825.1 334.9 2,308.81967 99,465.1 37,338.7 8,811.0 7,383.0 6,898.3 35,807.8 377.8 2,848.51968 113,553.4 42,740.4 11,091.6 8,172.0 7,246.7 40,589.7 427.6 3,285.41969 126,970.7 48,772.1 13,439.1 8,828.0 7,933.6 43,673.1 532.3 3,792.5

1970 145,555.1 2 54,691.2 16,487.8 9,606.0 2 9,078.1 50,845.5 701.2 4,145.31971 171,256.7 3 66,368.8 21,262.0 10,437.0 10,455.0 3 56,704.7 1,046.2 3 4,983.01972 190,315.2 74,809.4 26,078.2 11,824.0 11,522.3 59,385.1 1,332.4 5,363.81973 213,293.9 3 86,165.6 28,691.4 12,799.0 13,026.4 64,733.7 2,179.6 5,698.2 3

1974 238,641.6 3 99,001.4 31,520.4 14,198.0 14,112.4 70,533.9 2,554.0 6,721.5 3

1975 289,173.0 123,013.1 41,446.6 16,742.0 17,018.9 80,834.1 3,171.7 6,946.61976 331,613.8 3 145,703.4 49,023.4 3 18,356.0 18,958.0 87,729.7 3,370.8 8,472.51977 360,458.8 3 160,881.3 53,812.4 3 19,441.0 19,014.3 93,878.3 4,358.1 9,071.41978 394,265.6 3 175,089.6 59,925.8 3 22,201.0 19,744.0 3 101,517.8 5,224.7 10,562.71979 430,066.9 3 194,287.5 65,307.0 3 24,040.0 20,601.6 109,261.5 5,493.1 11,076.2


SOCIAL WELFARE EXPENDITURES Series Bf 188–195 735

TABLE Bf 188–195 Public expenditures on social welfare: 1890–1995 Continued

Health and Veterans’ Other socialTotal Social insurance Public aid medical programs programs Education Housing welfare programs


Fiscal year Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars

1980 492,713.7 2 229,754.4 72,703.1 27,263.0 2 21,465.5 121,049.6 6,879.0 13,599.11981 552,882.8 3 267,394.8 83,634.0 29,588.0 23,440.9 3 130,108.5 6,733.5 3 11,983.11982 601,344.9 3 302,614.8 82,206.2 3 32,870.0 24,708.1 138,089.3 9,202.1 11,654.41983 649,229.1 331,161.2 88,330.7 34,090.0 25,801.9 146,415.4 10,963.5 12,466.41984 678,112.1 341,120.2 92,979.4 35,722.0 26,274.9 157,188.9 11,531.8 13,294.9

1985 732,249.5 3, 2 369,595.2 98,361.8 39,053.0 2 27,041.7 3 172,047.5 12,598.5 13,551.81986 781,725.2 390,770.1 104,200.2 43,953.0 27,444.9 189,234.6 11,961.8 3 14,160.61987 834,121.9 412,873.9 112,115.1 48,067.0 28,050.8 204,563.7 13,173.5 15,277.91988 887,951.2 3 434,051.3 119,723.4 53,096.0 29,663.4 3 219,382.2 16,555.9 15,479.01989 957,394.6 3 468,051.7 3 128,609.8 57,123.0 30,103.7 3 238,771.0 18,126.7 16,608.7

1990 1,048,950.8 513,821.8 146,811.1 61,684.0 30,916.2 258,331.6 19,468.5 17,917.61991 1,159,626.4 561,175.2 181,334.4 65,810.0 32,857.3 277,147.1 21,522.6 19,779.81992 1,266,867.1 618,938.8 207,953.0 70,114.0 35,642.0 292,070.6 20,617.2 21,531.51993 1,366,754.1 3 659,209.9 220,999.8 74,717.0 3 36,378.3 331,996.8 20,782.3 22,670.01994 1,435,819.3 3 683,778.7 238,025.3 80,235.0 3 37,894.8 344,091.0 27,032.0 24,762.5

1995 1,505,136.4 705,483.3 253,530.0 85,507.0 39,072.0 365,625.3 29,361.1 26,557.7

1 See text on inclusion of Alaska, Hawai’i, and outlying areas.2 The data reported in the 1997 and 1999 source articles do not precisely match the

data in the July 1995 source, owing to revisions in the procedures for estimatinghealth expenditures. The differences for them are typically less than $500 million.

3 Revised figure. See text.4 Public aid included with other social welfare services.

SourcesEstimates presented for 1890 and 1913 were based primarily on the follow-ing: R. A. Musgrave and J. J. Culbertson, “The Growth of Public Expendituresin the U.S., 1890–1948,” National Tax Journal (June 1953): 97–115; J. FredericDewhurst and Associates, America’s Needs and Resources (Twentieth CenturyFund, 1955); and reports of official agencies. Data for 1929–1989, U.S. So-cial Security Administration, Social Welfare Expenditures under Public Programsin the United States, 1929–90 (July 1995); Ann Kallman Bixby, “Public SocialWelfare Expenditures, Fiscal Year 1992,” Social Security Bulletin 58 (2) (1995):65–73. Data for 1990–1995 are from Ann Kallman Bixby, “Public SocialWelfare Expenditures, Fiscal Year 1994,” Social Security Bulletin 60 (3) (1997):42; and Ann Kallman Bixby, “Public Social Welfare Expenditures, Fiscal Year1995,” Social Security Bulletin 62 (2) (1999): 88.

The information is updated annually in the Social Security Bulletin and theSocial Security Bulletin: Annual Statistical Supplement, Table 3.A3.

DocumentationThe material for the period 1929–1964 was first reported in Ida C. Merriamand Alfred M. Skolnik, Social Welfare Expenditures under Public Programs in theUnited States, 1929–1966, Research Report number 25 (U.S. Social SecurityAdministration, 1968). This report included a compendium of detailed datacovering each year from 1929 to 1966, and a complete description of themethodology used in formulating the series. In situations where the pub-lished information for a year differs in the sources, the number publishedlater was used with one exception: there was a misprint for the 1991 datain the 1996 Annual Statistical Supplement, and so the data for 1991 are fromSummer 1995 Social Security Bulletin.

Information on the state and local breakdown for all of the programsin Tables Bf212–270 from 1929 through 1989 is available in U.S. SocialSecurity Administration (July 1995); Merriam and Skolnik (1968); and theannual articles in the Social Security Bulletin. For example, see Ann KallmanBixby, “Public Social Welfare Expenditures, Fiscal Year 1994,” Social SecurityBulletin 60 (3) (1997): 43–4; and Ann Kallman Bixby, “Public Social Wel-fare Expenditures, Fiscal Year 1995,” Social Security Bulletin 62 (2) (1999):89, 90.

Scattered data relating to social welfare programs in particular locali-ties or states may be found in other sources. The definitions used in thesesources, however, are highly variable and the original source of the data is fre-quently not indicated. No data comparable to those shown for 1929–1993are readily available.

Social welfare expenditures include the areas of income maintenance,health, education, housing, veterans’ benefits, and other welfare servicesdirected specifically toward promoting the economic and social welfare ofindividuals and families. The social welfare expenditures data collected bythe U.S. Social Security Administration fit the definitions of social welfarespending used by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Devel-opment and the International Labour Office. Expenditures are grouped onthe basis of statutory programs and administrative structure rather thanstrictly by function. Finally, the economic status of the individual or familyreceiving benefits is not a criterion for inclusion in the series. Rather, therequirement is that the funds be expended through the government appara-tus in compliance with or as a result of public law. For further informationabout the components of these series, see the text for Tables Bf212–270.

Social welfare expenditures under public programs represent paymentsfrom federal, state, and local revenues (general and special) and trust funds.They include capital outlays as well as administrative expenses unless oth-erwise noted. Some payments abroad are included. Programs or servicesfinanced by loans are excluded. The expenditures are reported on a fiscalyear basis. Through 1976, the fiscal year ended June 30 for the federal gov-ernment, most states, and some localities. Beginning in 1977, federal fiscalyears end on September 30.

Data on federal programs include expenditures in Alaska and Hawai’i forall years; state and local data include expenditures in Alaska and Hawai’i fromthe year of their admission to the Union. Data include federal expenditures(and matching local expenditures under grant programs) in Puerto Rico,the Virgin Islands, Guam, Trust Territory of the Pacific, American Samoa, andthe Panama Canal Zone, as well as expenditures to beneficiaries of someof the income-maintenance programs residing in foreign countries, andthat part of Defense Department education and health expenses incurredabroad.

Wherever possible, data for federal, federal–state, and federal–localprograms were drawn from published and unpublished materials of theappropriate federal agencies and from the annual Budget of the United StatesGovernment. The principal source for state, state–local, and local programstatistics has been the census of governments. To bridge gaps, especiallyfor early years of the series, and to augment fragmentary data, the U.S.Social Security Administration has estimated expenditures for certain yearsfor some programs (e.g., state and local public employee retirement benefitsand administration). The series are often revised in response to new data,new benchmarks, and changes in reporting from other sources. The U.S.Social Security Administration often publishes the revised versions of therecent data but in many cases offers revised information for earlier yearsfor years ending in 0 and 5. Discussions with the people at the U.S. SocialSecurity Administration who compile the statistics suggest that a search for“the” number in any single year would be futile. The numbers are basicallyestimates from surveys, reports of other agencies, and other sources, and they

(continued)


TABLE Bf 188–195 Public expenditures on social welfare: 1890–1995 Continued

should be treated as rough approximations of the “true” level. The peopleat the U.S. Social Security Administration are very careful to try to maintainconsistency in the definitions of the series. However, even the revisions aresubject to measurement error, and year-to-year fluctuations between a re-vised statistic for a year ending in 0 or 5 with neighboring years are likely tobe subject to measurement error. The majority of revisions are within 1 or 2percent of the prior reported estimates.

The footnoted revisions to the table are based on corrections to the in-formation reported in the sources that arise from cross checking the sumsof series that should add up to totals in that category. In all cases, the cor-

rections are based on new sums using the most disaggregated data reportedin the source and then recalculating the sums. For example, if there was adiscrepancy between the all government spending in a category and the sumof state and local plus federal spending in the category, we used the sumof state and local plus federal spending unless there was an obvious error.For the data presented here, efforts were made to account for all differencesfrom 1965 to the present. Differences between the total series and the sumsof the subcategories of $0.1 million in years prior to 1965 were left unalteredbecause they might be the result of rounding error.

SOCIAL WELFARE EXPENDITURES Series Bf196–211 737

TAB

LEB

f196

–211

Pub

licex

pend

itur

eson

soci

alw

elfa

re,b

yfe

dera

lor

stat

e–lo

cals

ourc

eof

fund

s:18

90–1

995

Con

trib

uted

byPr

ice

V.Fi

shba

ckan

dM

elis

saA

.Tho

mas

son

Fede

ralf

unds

Stat

ean

dlo

calf

unds

Hea

lth

and

Oth

erso

cial

Hea

lth

and

Oth

erso

cial

Soci

alm

edic

alV

eter

ans’

wel

fare

Soci

alm

edic

alV

eter

ans’

wel

fare

Tota

lin

sura

nce

Pub

licai

dpr

ogra

ms

prog

ram

sEd

ucat

ion

Hou

sing

prog

ram

sTo

tal

insu

ranc

eP

ublic

aid

prog

ram

spr

ogra

ms

Educ

atio

nH

ousi

ngpr

ogra

ms

Bf1

96B

f197

Bf1

98B

f199

Bf2

00B

f201

Bf2

02B

f203

Bf2

04B

f205

Bf2

06B

f207

Bf2

08B

f209

Bf2

10B

f211

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Year

dolla

rsdo

llars

dolla

rsdo

llars

dolla

rsdo

llars

dolla

rsdo

llars

dolla

rsdo

llars

dolla

rsdo

llars

dolla

rsdo

llars

dolla

rsdo

llars

1890

115.

0—

——

——

——

203.

0—

——

——

——

1913

196.

0—

——

——

——

804.

0—

——

——

——

1929

798.

455

.9—

46.7

657.

936

.5—

1.4

3,12

2.8

286.

560

.030

4.4

—2,

397.

2—

74.8

1930

817.

160

.3—

47.4

667.

840

.1—

1.5

3,26

7.8

300.

677

.833

0.7

—2,

482.

7—

76.0

1931

911.

068

.9—

50.8

744.

345

.3—

1.7

3,28

9.8

299.

416

4.0

355.

0—

2,39

4.3

—77

.119

321,

002.

374

.6—

55.1

825.

045

.9—

1.7

3,30

1.1

280.

825

5.9

379.

4—

2,30

5.9

—79

.219

331,

338.

881

.234

4.8

51.8

818.

840

.7—

1.7

3,12

3.4

262.

834

4.4

365.

8—

2,06

3.3

—87

.219

342,

771.

094

.62,

003.

848

.052

9.5

93.0

0.4

1.6

3,06

1.1

267.

252

6.7

352.

3—

1,82

0.7

—94

.2

1935

3,20

7.2

118.

92,

373.

749

.559

7.5

52.7

13.2

1.7

3,34

1.1

287.

462

3.9

377.

7—

1,95

4.8

—97

.219

366,

505.

913

2.9

2,30

9.6

54.5

3,82

5.5

138.

641

.73.

23,

678.

332

2.7

769.

839

9.3

—2,

089.

1—

97.4

1937

3,78

8.1

193.

32,

494.

169

.788

0.4

143.

43.

14.

14,

070.

135

1.8

942.

043

0.3

12.4

2,23

2.3

—10

1.3

1938

3,25

4.6

295.

22,

075.

372

.661

5.1

187.

53.

95.

04,

669.

055

3.4

1,15

7.6

466.

912

.32,

375.

5—

103.

319

393,

986.

835

7.8

2,87

0.7

79.0

596.

372

.73.

46.

95,

226.

282

3.3

1,35

8.9

496.

29.

82,

431.

0—

107.

0

1940

3,44

3.1

393.

82,

243.

196

.661

9.8

74.7

4.2

10.9

5,35

1.0

878.

01,

352.

851

8.9

9.2

2,48

6.6

—10

5.5

1941

3,66

0.3

470.

02,

187.

623

1.5

604.

513

5.8

8.9

22.0

5,29

3.1

860.

01,

336.

149

2.9

8.3

2,48

1.5

—11

4.4

1942

3,60

5.3

531.

71,

698.

047

0.7

636.

921

7.9

14.3

35.8

5,00

3.9

843.

91,

079.

147

8.0

8.5

2,47

6.3

—11

8.1

1943

3,68

4.2

565.

181

8.3

1,38

2.7

616.

925

1.3

13.6

36.2

4,59

8.9

693.

673

1.3

503.

16.

52,

542.

0—

122.

519

443,

758.

763

0.8

427.

51,

725.

471

3.4

192.

713

.355

.64,

468.

962

4.8

604.

049

9.7

6.6

2,60

7.7

—12

6.0

1945

4,33

9.4

734.

942

0.1

1,80

1.4

1,11

8.5

187.

311

.166

.14,

865.

967

4.5

610.

455

2.8

7.4

2,88

9.0

—13

1.8

1946

6,34

3.3

1,91

2.6

449.

21,

273.

32,

348.

512

6.5

158.

774

.56,

454.

61,

739.

570

1.5

630.

754

.43,

170.

4—

158.

119

479,

794.

12,

605.

061

7.2

554.

75,

504.

412

9.4

280.

910

2.5

7,54

2.9

1,55

5.0

824.

781

2.4

178.

13,

959.

6—

213.

119

489,

481.

72,

039.

872

4.0

421.

26,

001.

114

0.7

27.3

127.

69,

170.

61,

563.

197

7.9

994.

763

7.1

4,75

6.6

—24

1.2

1949

10,2

52.4

2,10

3.1

941.

552

2.0

6,39

9.8

138.

57.

713

9.8

10,9

12.5

2,08

2.7

1,14

7.6

1,23

1.1

526.

95,

668.

1—

256.

0

1950

10,5

41.1

2,10

3.0

1,10

3.2

603.

56,

386.

215

6.7

14.6

174.

012

,967

.32,

843.

61,

393.

01,

460.

047

9.5

6,51

7.5

—27

3.7

1951

11,1

25.6

2,72

3.5

1,19

6.4

1,16

9.8

5,66

1.3

180.

321

.617

2.7

12,9

29.1

2,04

8.8

1,39

5.3

1,61

3.0

334.

77,

234.

813

.428

9.1

1952

11,7

29.9

3,34

2.1

1,21

1.3

1,58

5.7

5,11

2.9

307.

925

.114

4.9

13,8

46.5

2,32

8.9

1,37

3.4

1,74

5.5

142.

87,

937.

812

.030

6.1

1953

12,2

44.2

4,22

4.0

1,36

0.8

1,38

0.3

4,62

0.6

429.

337

.919

1.3

14,8

00.6

2,38

3.3

1,36

7.1

1,81

0.1

114.

18,

801.

612

.731

1.7

1954

12,9

90.3

5,09

3.6

1,41

9.5

1,20

9.6

4,52

8.1

418.

853

.826

7.0

16,5

56.5

3,17

1.1

1,36

8.7

1,88

9.6

102.

89,

665.

613

.734

5.1

1955

14,6

22.9

6,38

5.0

1,50

4.2

1,15

0.3

4,77

1.9

485.

174

.725

1.7

18,0

17.1

3,44

9.9

1,49

8.8

1,95

2.8

61.6

10,6

72.1

14.6

367.

319

5616

,211

.77,

534.

11,

555.

41,

256.

04,

972.

047

5.7

92.0

326.

618

,918

.83,

112.

01,

559.

32,

051.

089

.211

,678

.719

.740

8.8

1957

18,1

29.5

8,92

6.4

1,69

0.0

1,41

0.4

5,07

9.6

540.

510

1.2

381.

321

,220

.93,

545.

31,

618.

52,

365.

439

.313

,191

.819

.044

1.6

1958

20,6

31.2

10,8

56.5

1,83

4.9

1,56

7.1

5,30

5.3

607.

811

0.6

349.

024

,825

.85,

100.

21,

780.

52,

523.

812

1.4

14,7

04.8

23.7

571.

419

5923

,550

.313

,054

.02,

082.

11,

716.

55,

411.

276

6.7

127.

839

2.0

26,2

71.1

5,23

2.6

1,91

5.8

2,68

4.1

61.1

15,7

31.5

28.4

617.

6

1960

24,9

56.7

14,3

07.2

2,11

6.9

1,73

7.1

5,36

7.4

867.

914

3.5

416.

727

,336

.64,

999.

41,

984.

22,

726.

811

1.9

16,7

58.3

33.2

722.

819

6127

,402

.615

,965

.72,

337.

31,

949.

45,

539.

41,

000.

515

9.2

451.

130

,833

.46,

399.

22,

107.

12,

977.

684

.318

,336

.736

.989

1.7

1962

30,6

24.4

18,2

89.5

2,74

1.3

2,24

1.9

5,55

8.9

1,08

9.6

173.

452

9.9

32,0

34.3

5,90

4.3

2,20

4.1

2,98

7.9

95.2

19,9

15.0

43.2

884.

619

6332

,674

.919

,417

.12,

999.

32,

441.

05,

731.

21,

322.

619

2.6

571.

134

,091

.36,

196.

32,

296.

63,

152.

520

.021

,348

.155

.51,

022.

319

6434

,928

.020

,646

.13,

208.

22,

749.

15,

842.

61,

619.

521

2.1

650.

436

,563

.16,

325.

32,

433.

93,

254.

318

.923

,369

.565

.61,

095.

6

Not

eap

pear

sat

end

ofta

ble

(con

tinu

ed)

738 Series Bf196–211 Bf SOCIAL INSURANCE AND PUBLIC ASSISTANCETA

BLE

Bf1

96–2

11P

ublic

expe

ndit

ures

onso

cial

wel

fare

,by

fede

ralo

rst

ate–

loca

lsou

rce

offu

nds:

1890

–199

5C

ontin

ued

Fede

ralf

unds

Stat

ean

dlo

calf

unds

Hea

lth

and

Oth

erso

cial

Hea

lth

and

Oth

erso

cial

Soci

alm

edic

alV

eter

ans’

wel

fare

Soci

alm

edic

alV

eter

ans’

wel

fare

Tota

lin

sura

nce

Pub

licai

dpr

ogra

ms

prog

ram

sEd

ucat

ion

Hou

sing

prog

ram

sTo

tal

insu

ranc

eP

ublic

aid

prog

ram

spr

ogra

ms

Educ

atio

nH

ousi

ngpr

ogra

ms

Bf1

96B

f197

Bf1

98B

f199

Bf2

00B

f201

Bf2

02B

f203

Bf2

04B

f205

Bf2

06B

f207

Bf2

08B

f209

Bf2

10B

f211

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Year

dolla

rsdo

llars

dolla

rsdo

llars

dolla

rsdo

llars

dolla

rsdo

llars

dolla

rsdo

llars

dolla

rsdo

llars

dolla

rsdo

llars

dolla

rsdo

llars

1965

37,5

91.2

21,8

06.7

3,59

3.9

2,66

0.0

6,01

0.7

2,46

9.8

238.

181

2.0

39,4

92.6

6,31

6.1

2,68

9.5

3,49

5.0

20.4

25,6

38.0

80.0

1,25

3.6

1966

45,2

42.7

125

,663

.64,

366.

03,

010.

06,

337.

01

4,58

0.5

250.

81,

034.

842

,560

.16,

271.

02,

935.

13,

730.

021

.328

,244

.684

.11,

274.

019

6753

,173

.930

,544

.85,

244.

43,

588.

06,

875.

25,

278.

828

3.0

1,35

9.7

46,2

91.2

6,79

3.9

3,56

6.6

3,79

5.0

23.1

30,5

29.0

94.8

1,48

8.8

1968

60,1

68.3

35,3

90.0

6,45

5.1

4,08

7.0

7,21

4.2

5,00

0.3

325.

11,

696.

653

,385

.17,

350.

44,

636.

54,

085.

032

.535

,589

.410

2.5

1,58

8.8

1969

68,1

46.3

40,8

47.4

7,82

9.0

4,33

4.0

7,88

3.0

4,92

2.9

425.

51,

904.

558

,824

.47,

924.

75,

610.

14,

494.

050

.638

,750

.210

6.8

1,88

8.0

1970

77,1

30.1

45,2

45.6

9,64

8.6

4,56

8.0

8,95

1.6

5,87

5.8

581.

62,

258.

968

,425

.09,

445.

66,

839.

25,

038.

012

6.5

44,9

69.7

119.

61,

886.

419

7192

,346

.81

53,9

02.6

12,9

90.3

4,90

9.0

10,3

30.1

16,

597.

487

1.1

12,

746.

378

,909

.912

,466

.28,

271.

75,

528.

012

4.9

50,1

07.3

175.

12,

236.

719

7210

5,86

9.6

61,2

48.5

16,2

91.3

5,86

5.0

11,4

05.2

6,72

1.3

1,18

3.2

3,15

5.1

84,4

45.6

13,5

60.9

9,78

6.9

5,95

9.0

117.

152

,663

.814

9.2

2,20

8.7

1973

122,

154.

372

,248

.818

,061

.06,

286.

012

,903

.37,

359.

61,

749.

73,

545.

991

,139

.61

13,9

16.8

10,6

30.4

6,51

3.0

123.

157

,374

.142

9.9

2,15

2.3

1

1974

136,

723.

582

,832

.320

,387

.76,

677.

013

,873

.87,

041.

52,

009.

13,

902.

110

1,91

8.1

116

,169

.111

,132

.77,

521.

023

8.6

63,4

92.4

544.

92,

819.

41

1975

166,

884.

299

,715

.027

,275

.87,

890.

016

,569

.88,

629.

32,

540.

74,

263.

612

2,28

8.8

23,2

98.1

14,1

70.8

8,85

2.0

449.

172

,204

.863

1.0

2,68

3.0

1976

196,

672.

61

119,

600.

232

,670

.11

9,07

9.0

18,7

96.1

9,02

3.2

2,90

6.0

4,59

8.0

134,

941.

21

26,1

03.2

16,3

53.3

19,

277.

016

1.9

78,7

06.5

464.

83,

874.

519

7721

7,89

5.5

134,

744.

735

,655

.29,

419.

018

,860

.69,

741.

04,

005.

55,

469.

514

2,56

3.3

126

,138

.618

,157

.21

10,0

22.0

153.

784

,137

.335

2.6

3,60

1.9

1978

239,

788.

71

147,

364.

740

,392

.510

,724

.019

,570

.31

10,9

00.8

4,88

7.3

5,94

9.1

154,

476.

91

27,7

24.9

19,5

33.3

111

,477

.017

3.7

90,6

17.0

337.

44,

613.

619

7926

3,44

6.2

163,

879.

344

,247

.211

,282

.020

,411

.912

,108

.05,

069.

26,

448.

616

6,62

0.7

130

,408

.221

,059

.81

12,7

58.0

189.

797

,153

.542

3.9

4,62

7.6

1980

303,

165.

519

1,16

2.0

49,3

94.2

12,8

40.0

21,2

53.6

13,4

52.2

6,27

7.6

8,78

5.9

189,

548.

238

,592

.423

,308

.914

,423

.021

1.9

107,

597.

460

1.4

4,81

3.2

1981

345,

179.

51

224,

573.

556

,818

.113

,837

.023

,228

.81

13,3

72.4

6,04

5.2

17,

304.

520

7,70

3.3

42,8

21.3

26,8

15.9

15,7

51.0

212.

111

6,73

6.1

688.

34,

678.

619

8237

0,17

2.2

250,

551.

453

,434

.114

,883

.024

,462

.811

,916

.98,

423.

86,

500.

223

1,17

2.7

152

,063

.428

,772

.11

17,9

87.0

245.

312

6,17

2.4

778.

35,

154.

219

8340

2,25

2.0

274,

315.

457

,834

.815

,153

.025

,561

.012

,399

.39,

960.

57,

028.

024

6,97

7.1

56,8

45.8

30,4

95.9

18,9

37.0

240.

913

4,01

6.1

1,00

3.0

5,43

8.4

1984

421,

194.

128

8,74

2.6

59,8

68.1

16,0

29.0

25,9

69.8

13,0

09.5

10,2

25.9

7,34

9.2

256,

918.

052

,377

.633

,111

.319

,693

.030

5.1

144,

179.

41,

305.

95,

945.

7

1985

450,

790.

61

310,

174.

763

,479

.918

,029

.026

,703

.81

13,7

96.2

11,0

58.8

7,54

8.2

281,

458.

959

,420

.534

,881

.921

,024

.033

7.9

158,

251.

31,

539.

76,

003.

619

8647

2,76

1.8

132

6,01

6.3

67,2

99.1

19,4

40.0

27,0

72.1

15,0

22.4

10,0

89.6

17,

822.

330

8,96

3.4

64,7

53.8

36,9

01.1

24,5

13.0

372.

817

4,21

2.2

1,87

2.2

6,33

8.3

1987

497,

932.

134

2,93

2.7

70,9

34.9

20,8

13.0

27,6

40.8

16,0

62.0

11,0

44.2

8,50

4.5

336,

189.

869

,941

.241

,180

.227

,254

.041

0.0

188,

501.

72,

129.

36,

773.

419

8852

7,47

0.8

136

0,26

8.1

75,9

89.6

22,8

75.0

29,2

54.4

16,9

66.4

14,0

05.9

8,11

1.4

360,

480.

473

,783

.243

,733

.830

,221

.040

9.0

202,

415.

82,

550.

07,

367.

619

8956

5,10

7.9

138

7,28

6.5

181

,730

.71

24,1

17.0

29,6

38.2

118

,659

.915

,183

.98,

491.

739

2,28

6.7

80,7

65.2

46,8

79.1

33,0

06.0

465.

522

0,11

1.1

2,94

2.8

8,11

7.0

1990

616,

640.

642

2,25

6.6

92,8

58.5

27,2

06.0

30,4

27.7

18,3

74.0

16,6

12.4

8,90

5.4

432,

310.

291

,565

.253

,952

.634

,478

.048

8.5

239,

957.

62,

856.

19,

012.

219

9167

6,38

4.2

453,

534.

411

3,23

4.9

29,6

72.0

32,3

31.2

19,0

84.5

18,6

96.1

9,83

1.1

483,

242.

210

7,64

0.8

68,0

99.5

36,1

38.0

526.

125

8,06

2.6

2,82

6.5

9,94

8.7

1992

750,

237.

349

6,07

5.6

138,

703.

731

,685

.035

,087

.220

,059

.617

,949

.610

,676

.651

6,62

9.8

122,

863.

269

,249

.338

,429

.055

4.8

272,

011.

02,

667.

610

,854

.919

9380

5,33

5.7

534,

211.

915

1,85

0.5

33,1

89.0

35,8

06.3

20,4

54.9

18,9

84.8

10,8

38.3

561,

418.

412

4,99

8.0

69,1

49.3

41,5

28.0

572.

031

1,54

1.9

1,79

7.5

11,8

31.7

1994

852,

875.

755

7,32

0.7

162,

674.

734

,770

.037

,261

.624

,084

.224

,987

.211

,777

.358

2,94

3.6

126,

458.

075

,350

.645

,465

.063

3.2

320,

006.

82,

044.

812

,985

.2

1995

888,

357.

357

9,80

3.7

170,

260.

036

,767

.038

,384

.923

,472

.027

,276

.012

,393

.761

6,77

9.1

125,

679.

683

,270

.048

,740

.068

7.1

342,

153.

32,

085.

114

,164

.0

1R

evis

edfi

gure

.See

text

for

Tabl

eB

f188

–195

.

Sour

ces

Estim

ates

pres

ente

dfo

r18

90an

d19

13w

ere

prim

arily

base

don

the

follo

win

g:R

.A.M

usgr

ave

and

J.J.

Cul

bert

son,

“The

Gro

wth

ofPu

blic

Expe

nditu

res

inth

eU

.S.,

1890

–194

8,”

Nat

iona

lTax

Jour

nal(

June

1953

):97

–115

;J.F

rede

ricD

ewhu

rst

and

Ass

ocia

tes,

Am

erica

’sN

eeds

and

Res

ourc

es(T

wen

tieth

Cen

tury

Fund

,195

5);a

ndre

port

sofo

ffic

iala

genc

ies.

Dat

afo

r192

9–19

89,U

.S.S

ocia

lSec

urity

Adm

inis

trat

ion,

Socia

lWel

fare

Expe

nditu

res

unde

rPu

blic

Prog

ram

sin

the

Uni

ted

Stat

es,1

929–

90(J

uly

1995

);A

nnK

allm

anB

ixby

,“Pu

blic

Soci

alW

elfa

reEx

pend

iture

s,Fi

scal

Year

1992

,”So

cialS

ecur

ityB

ulle

tin58

(2)

(199

5):6

5–73

.D

ata

for

1990

–199

5co

me

from

Ann

Kal

lman

Bix

by,

“Pub

licSo

cial

Wel

fare

Expe

nditu

res,

Fisc

alYe

ar19

94,”

Socia

lSec

urity

Bul

letin

60(3

)(1

997)

:43–

4;an

dA

nnK

allm

anB

ixby

,“Pu

blic

Soci

alW

elfa

reEx

pend

iture

s,Fi

scal

Year

1995

,”So

cialS

ecur

ityB

ulle

tin62

(2)(

1999

):89

,90.

Mor

ede

taile

dbr

eakd

owns

for

allo

fth

epr

ogra

ms

inTa

bles

Bf2

12–2

70fr

om19

29th

roug

h19

89ar

eav

aila

ble

inth

ese

sour

ces,

asw

ell.

See

the

text

for

Tabl

eB

f188

–195

for

furt

her

disc

ussi

onof

the

sour

ces.

Doc

umen

tatio

nFe

dera

lgra

nts-

in-a

idar

ecl

assi

fied

asex

pend

iture

sfr

omfe

dera

lfun

ds(c

ontr

ary

toth

epr

actic

ein

the

natio

nal

inco

me

acco

unts

,w

hich

incl

ude

them

asex

pend

iture

sfr

omst

ate

and

loca

lfu

nds)

.B

ene-

fit

paym

ents

unde

rth

est

ate

unem

ploy

men

tin

sura

nce

prog

ram

sar

ecl

assi

fied

asex

pend

iture

sfr

omst

ate

fund

s(i

nth

ena

tiona

lin

com

eac

coun

ts,

they

are

clas

sifi

edas

fede

ral

expe

nditu

res,

base

don

the

fact

that

the

stat

eun

empl

oym

ent

insu

ranc

etr

ust

fund

sar

ehe

ldan

din

vest

edby

the

Secr

etar

yof

the

Trea

sury

).Fe

dera

lgra

nts

toth

est

ates

for

the

adm

inis

trat

ion

ofun

empl

oym

ent

insu

ranc

ean

dth

eem

ploy

men

tse

rvic

ear

ecl

assi

fied

asex

pend

iture

sfr

omfe

dera

lfun

ds,

asar

eth

ebe

nefi

tspa

idun

der

the

tem

pora

ryex

tend

edun

empl

oym

ent

insu

ranc

eac

tsof

1958

and

1961

.Th

eex

pend

iture

sfo

rst

ate

and

fede

ral

fund

sfo

rea

chca

tego

rysh

ould

sum

toth

eex

pend

iture

sre

port

edfo

rea

chca

tego

ryin

Tabl

eB

f188

–195

.In

som

eca

ses

durin

gth

epe

riod

1990

thro

ugh

1995

,th

ere

are

disp

ariti

es.T

hedi

ffer

ence

sar

ise

beca

use

revi

sion

sfo

rTa

ble

Bf1

88–1

95ha

vebe

enre

port

edla

ter

than

revi

sion

sfo

rTa

ble

Bf1

96–2

11.


TAB

LEB

f212

–224

Pub

licex

pend

itur

eson

soci

alw

elfa

re–

soci

alin

sura

nce:

1929

–199

5C

ontr

ibut

edby

Pric

eV.

Fish

back

and

Mel

issa

A.T

hom

asso

n

Old

-Age

,Sur

vivo

rs,D

isab

ility

,and

Stat

ete

mpo

rary

disa

bilit

yH

ealt

hIn

sura

nce

(OA

SDH

I)in

sura

nce

Wor

kers

’co

mpe

nsat

ion

Old

-Age

,U

nem

ploy

men

tR

ailr

oad

Surv

ivor

s,an

dH

ealt

hP

ublic

insu

ranc

ean

dR

ailr

oad

tem

pora

ryO

nho

spit

alO

nho

spit

alD

isab

ility

Insu

ranc

eR

ailr

oad

empl

oyee

empl

oym

ent

unem

ploy

men

tdi

sabi

lity

and

med

ical

and

med

ical

Tota

lTo

tal

Insu

ranc

e(M

edic

are)

Ret

irem

ent

reti

rem

ent

serv

ices

insu

ranc

ein

sura

nce

Tota

lbe

nefi

tsTo

tal

bene

fits

Bf2

12B

f213

Bf2

14B

f215

Bf2

16B

f217

Bf2

18B

f219

Bf2

20B

f221

Bf2

22B

f223

Bf2

24

Year

Mill

ion

dolla

rsM

illio

ndo

llars

Mill

ion

dolla

rsM

illio

ndo

llars

Mill

ion

dolla

rsM

illio

ndo

llars

Mill

ion

dolla

rsM

illio

ndo

llars

Mill

ion

dolla

rsM

illio

ndo

llars

Mill

ion

dolla

rsM

illio

ndo

llars

Mill

ion

dolla

rs

1929

342.

4—

——

—11

3.1

——

——

—22

9.3

75.0

1930

360.

9—

——

—12

2.1

——

——

—23

8.8

75.0

1931

368.

3—

——

—13

5.6

——

——

—23

2.7

75.0

1932

355.

3—

——

—14

6.4

——

——

—20

9.0

68.0

1933

343.

9—

——

—16

3.6

——

——

—18

0.3

58.0

1934

361.

8—

——

—18

6.2

——

——

—17

2.7

55.0

1935

406.

3—

——

—20

8.8

——

——

—18

8.4

65.0

1936

455.

60.

50.

5—

0.6

233.

017

.6—

——

—20

4.0

73.0

1937

545.

219

.519

.5—

5.8

244.

245

.1—

——

—23

0.6

75.0

1938

848.

626

.126

.1—

85.5

256.

823

6.2

——

——

244.

080

.019

391,

181.

236

.536

.5—

110.

026

9.5

516.

71.

7—

——

246.

780

.0

1940

1,27

1.8

40.4

40.4

—11

6.8

283.

455

3.0

18.9

——

—25

9.2

90.0

1941

1,33

0.0

91.2

91.2

—12

4.7

297.

950

7.0

21.1

——

—28

8.1

98.0

1942

1,37

5.6

137.

013

7.0

—12

9.5

322.

045

1.8

11.4

——

—32

3.8

104.

019

431,

258.

717

6.8

176.

8—

133.

730

5.4

281.

23.

9—

0.8

—35

6.8

110.

019

441,

255.

721

7.2

217.

2—

137.

633

1.7

173.

53.

7—

4.6

—38

7.3

116.

0

1945

1,40

9.4

266.

826

6.8

—14

5.0

355.

021

6.7

4.3

—5.

1—

416.

612

2.0

1946

3,65

2.1

357.

935

7.9

—15

6.5

412.

62,

255.

924

.2—

4.8

—44

0.0

132.

019

474,

160.

046

6.4

466.

4—

177.

851

0.1

2,45

3.7

51.2

—15

.6—

485.

215

0.0

1948

3,60

2.8

559.

155

9.1

—22

9.8

579.

51,

600.

835

.928

.633

.3—

535.

716

8.0

1949

4,18

5.8

660.

566

0.5

—28

7.9

649.

11,

876.

250

.532

.050

.0—

579.

618

0.0

1950

4,94

6.6

784.

178

4.1

—30

6.4

817.

92,

190.

111

9.6

31.1

72.1

2.2

625.

119

3.0

1951

4,77

2.2

1,56

8.5

1,56

8.5

—32

1.8

920.

01,

062.

828

.328

.914

2.7

9.8

699.

221

6.0

1952

5,67

1.0

2,06

7.0

2,06

7.0

—40

0.4

998.

71,

189.

426

.327

.717

4.7

12.2

786.

824

5.0

1953

6,60

7.3

2,71

6.9

2,71

6.9

—46

6.5

1,12

3.5

1,14

3.2

57.8

45.4

198.

014

.985

6.1

270.

019

548,

264.

73,

364.

23,

364.

2—

518.

01,

250.

61,

871.

810

0.4

46.6

210.

517

.690

2.5

295.

0

1955

9,83

4.9

4,43

6.3

4,43

6.3

—55

6.0

1,38

8.5

2,08

0.6

158.

754

.221

7.5

20.0

943.

031

5.0

1956

10,6

46.1

5,48

5.2

5,48

5.2

—60

7.5

1,57

7.3

1,62

3.5

59.7

52.3

232.

722

.41,

007.

933

5.0

1957

12,4

71.8

6,66

5.9

6,66

5.9

—68

5.5

1,78

5.3

1,84

1.6

88.1

52.0

269.

826

.31,

083.

635

5.0

1958

15,9

56.7

8,22

1.1

8,22

1.1

—72

9.9

2,02

6.3

3,30

2.5

176.

054

.730

4.1

31.9

1,14

2.2

370.

019

5918

,286

.59,

615.

99,

615.

9—

790.

22,

342.

53,

731.

120

0.2

57.0

327.

038

.41,

222.

739

0.0

1960

19,3

06.7

11,0

32.3

11,0

32.3

—93

4.7

2,56

9.9

2,82

9.6

215.

268

.534

7.9

40.2

1,30

8.5

420.

019

6122

,364

.912

,160

.812

,160

.8—

996.

12,

870.

24,

280.

021

3.4

58.0

385.

243

.81,

401.

445

0.0

1962

24,1

93.8

13,9

84.8

13,9

84.8

—1,

036.

93,

189.

73,

853.

816

3.2

56.8

407.

145

.51,

501.

447

5.0

1963

25,6

13.5

15,3

44.6

15,3

44.6

—1,

077.

33,

569.

33,

390.

612

2.8

52.8

444.

248

.41,

611.

851

0.0

1964

26,9

71.3

16,2

01.1

16,2

01.1

—1,

107.

34,

056.

73,

273.

892

.650

.146

7.7

50.4

1,72

2.0

545.

0

1965

28,1

22.8

16,9

97.5

16,9

97.5

—1,

128.

14,

528.

53,

002.

676

.746

.548

3.5

50.9

1,85

9.4

580.

019

6631

,934

.620

,295

.220

,231

.663

.61,

211.

65,

145.

42,

662.

452

.442

.650

7.5

54.3

2,01

7.5

640.

019

6737

,338

.724

,580

.721

,186

.13,

394.

61,

278.

45,

903.

62,

752.

238

.538

.452

9.6

53.7

2,21

7.3

715.

019

6842

,740

.428

,748

.423

,401

.25,

347.

21,

416.

66,

581.

92,

928.

646

.236

.157

4.3

54.6

2,40

8.3

790.

019

6948

,772

.133

,388

.726

,791

.06,

597.

71,

550.

77,

493.

82,

947.

144

.358

.564

8.1

57.7

2,64

0.9

875.

0

Not

eap

pear

sat

end

ofta

ble

(con

tinu

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BLE

Bf2

12–2

24P

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ndit

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wel

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–so

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insu

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29–1

995

Con

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Old

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Ret

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reti

rem

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serv

ices

insu

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sura

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Tota

lbe

nefi

tsTo

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bene

fits

Bf2

12B

f213

Bf2

14B

f215

Bf2

16B

f217

Bf2

18B

f219

Bf2

20B

f221

Bf2

22B

f223

Bf2

24

Year

Mill

ion

dolla

rsM

illio

ndo

llars

Mill

ion

dolla

rsM

illio

ndo

llars

Mill

ion

dolla

rsM

illio

ndo

llars

Mill

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dolla

rsM

illio

ndo

llars

Mill

ion

dolla

rsM

illio

ndo

llars

Mill

ion

dolla

rsM

illio

ndo

llars

Mill

ion

dolla

rs

1970

54,6

91.2

36,8

35.4

29,6

86.2

7,14

9.2

1,60

9.9

8,65

8.7

3,81

9.5

38.5

61.1

717.

762

.62,

950.

498

5.0

1971

66,3

68.8

43,1

22.8

35,2

47.8

7,87

5.0

1,92

8.9

10,2

26.1

6,66

5.3

49.6

53.0

773.

168

.43,

550.

01,

090.

019

7274

,809

.448

,229

.139

,409

.98,

819.

22,

141.

211

,920

.47,

651.

086

.042

.178

3.7

68.3

3,95

5.9

1,18

5.0

1973

86,1

65.6

57,7

66.6

48,2

87.8

9,47

8.8

2,47

7.5

14,0

10.8

6,06

5.9

45.2

34.9

848.

269

.84,

916.

51,

355.

019

7499

,001

.466

,286

.654

,939

.111

,347

.52,

692.

616

,677

.56,

661.

525

.631

.591

5.4

70.7

5,71

0.7

1,61

0.0

1975

123,

013.

178

,429

.963

,648

.514

,781

.43,

085.

120

,118

.613

,835

.941

.632

.999

0.0

72.9

6,47

9.1

2,47

0.0

1976

145,

703.

490

,440

.772

,663

.317

,777

.43,

499.

623

,441

.419

,585

.214

8.2

78.6

1,02

2.4

75.5

7,48

7.3

2,20

5.0

1977

160,

883.

31

105,

410.

183

,861

.321

,548

.83,

818.

626

,495

.915

,448

.810

7.3

81.8

1,04

2.2

75.7

8,47

8.6

12,

530.

019

7817

5,08

9.6

117,

431.

992

,242

.725

,189

.24,

019.

829

,935

.812

,598

.413

4.0

73.4

1,12

4.6

77.7

9,77

1.7

2,83

0.5

1979

194,

287.

513

1,71

9.4

102,

595.

829

,123

.64,

310.

633

,929

.811

,313

.186

.965

.61,

232.

275

.911

,629

.93,

250.

0

1980

229,

754.

415

2,11

0.4

117,

118.

934

,991

.54,

768.

739

,490

.218

,326

.415

5.4

68.7

1,37

7.4

49.6

13,4

57.2

3,72

5.0

1981

267,

394.

818

0,42

5.0

137,

970.

242

,454

.85,

323.

445

,743

.719

,022

.320

8.1

60.9

1,59

6.9

50.3

15,0

14.5

4,16

5.0

1982

302,

614.

81

204,

567.

815

4,14

4.3

50,4

23.5

5,76

6.4

50,4

64.2

23,2

56.5

298.

862

.21,

695.

752

.516

,503

.24,

640.

019

8333

1,16

1.2

224,

709.

216

7,77

8.9

56,9

30.3

6,08

1.5

54,9

37.5

25,3

49.7

386.

661

.31,

766.

955

.717

,868

.55,

082.

019

8434

1,12

0.2

238,

254.

017

5,77

3.2

62,4

80.8

6,14

3.8

58,8

87.8

16,1

03.5

183.

346

.71,

817.

756

.019

,683

.46,

010.

0

1985

369,

595.

225

7,53

5.1

186,

150.

871

,384

.36,

275.

663

,044

.018

,343

.813

8.4

50.6

1,94

4.1

55.3

22,2

63.6

7,08

0.0

1986

390,

770.

127

1,98

0.0

196,

077.

475

,902

.66,

354.

566

,910

.818

,549

.614

0.2

57.8

2,06

7.3

54.7

24,7

09.9

8,36

5.9

1987

412,

873.

928

6,33

9.7

204,

708.

481

,631

.36,

549.

172

,151

.718

,045

.712

4.1

64.9

2,54

5.4

56.4

27,0

53.3

9,61

8.3

1988

434,

051.

330

0,04

8.2

216,

438.

783

,609

.56,

675.

978

,051

.316

,117

.882

.118

.32,

753.

662

.430

,303

.811

,110

.319

8946

8,05

1.7

324,

109.

522

9,55

7.5

94,5

52.0

6,97

1.2

83,7

99.9

16,3

81.3

64.4

35.0

2,88

6.3

67.3

33,8

04.1

12,8

25.0

1990

513,

821.

81

355,

264.

524

5,55

5.5

109,

709.

07,

229.

990

,391

.219

,973

.764

.640

.33,

224.

262

.537

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.414

,305

.519

9156

1,17

5.2

382,

289.

826

5,63

8.8

116,

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531.

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.43,

879.

265

.841

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9261

8,93

8.8

416,

564.

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4,31

7.7

132,

246.

37,

737.

110

3,69

9.4

41,1

66.0

67.4

27.5

4,00

9.4

69.7

45,6

68.0

17,9

14.2

1993

659,

209.

944

9,27

6.8

301,

183.

314

8,09

3.5

7,92

0.6

112,

559.

540

,720

.860

.325

.93,

316.

053

.745

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.319

9468

3,77

8.7

477,

339.

731

5,94

7.0

161,

392.

78,

025.

211

9,25

3.1

31,2

51.1

53.5

29.3

3,20

0.8

52.1

44,6

26.0

16,2

00.0

1995

705,

483.

349

5,35

5.8

331,

642.

316

4,71

3.2

8,10

6.2

128,

001.

826

,302

.048

.430

.03,

189.

143

.243

,450

.016

,700

.0

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TABLE Bf212–224 Public expenditures on social welfare – social insurance: 1929–1995 Continued

Series Bf218, unemployment insurance and employment services. Includesunemployment compensation under state programs, programs for federalemployees, trade adjustment and training allowances, and payments un-der the extended, emergency, disaster, and special unemployment insuranceprograms.

Series Bf221. State temporary disability insurance programs are found inCalifornia, New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, and Rhode Island. The pro-grams provide cash and medical benefits for temporary disability. They in-

clude private plans where applicable and state administrative costs. Hawai’ialso offers temporary disability insurance, but data on the Hawaiian programare not available.

Series Bf223–224. Workers’ compensation expenditures include cash andmedical benefits paid under public law by private insurance carriers, statefunds, and self-insurers. Administrative costs of private carriers and self-insurers are not available. Beginning in 1969–1970, the series include thefederal Black Lung Benefits program.

TABLE Bf225–231 Public expenditures on social welfare – public aid: 1929–1995Contributed by Price V. Fishback and Melissa A. Thomasson

Public assistanceSupplemental

Total Total Medical payments Social services Security Income Food Stamps Other public aid

Bf225 Bf226 Bf227 Bf228 Bf229 Bf230 Bf231

Year Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars

1929 60.0 59.9 — — — — 0.1

1930 77.8 77.5 — — — — 0.31931 164.0 145.0 — — — — 19.01932 255.9 189.9 — — — — 66.01933 689.1 344.4 — — — — 344.81934 2,530.5 435.9 — — — — 2,094.6

1935 2,997.6 623.9 — — — — 2,373.71936 3,079.4 655.8 — — — — 2,423.61937 3,436.0 779.5 — — — — 2,656.61938 3,232.9 990.9 — — — — 2,242.01939 4,229.6 1,102.2 — — — — 3,127.4

1940 3,597.0 1,124.3 — — — — 2,472.71941 3,523.7 1,108.2 — — — — 2,415.51942 2,777.1 1,061.5 — — — — 1,715.61943 1,549.7 1,011.5 — — — — 538.21944 1,031.5 1,014.5 — — — — 17.0

1945 1,030.6 1,028.8 — — — — 1.71946 1,150.6 1,148.4 — — — — 2.21947 1,441.8 1,441.7 — — — — 0.21948 1,702.0 1,701.6 — — — — 0.31949 2,089.1 2,088.5 — — — — 0.6

1950 2,496.2 2,490.2 51.3 — — — 6.01951 2,591.7 2,584.9 100.7 — — — 6.81952 2,584.7 2,584.1 119.1 — — — 0.51953 2,727.9 2,727.5 154.4 — — — 0.41954 2,788.2 2,776.3 175.5 — — — 11.9

1955 3,003.0 2,941.1 211.9 — — — 61.91956 3,114.7 3,023.7 252.7 — — — 91.01957 3,308.5 3,230.6 287.6 — — — 77.91958 3,615.4 3,539.5 320.2 — — — 75.91959 3,997.9 3,890.9 410.0 — — — 107.0

1960 4,101.1 4,041.7 492.7 — — — 59.41961 4,444.3 4,301.0 588.9 — — — 143.41962 4,945.3 4,675.0 812.4 — — — 270.31963 5,295.9 5,029.0 1,000.8 — — — 267.01964 5,642.1 5,381.1 1,147.6 — — — 261.0

1965 6,283.5 5,874.9 1,367.1 — — — 408.51966 7,301.1 6,497.0 1,724.9 — — — 804.11967 8,811.0 7,832.4 2,475.1 — — — 978.61968 11,091.6 9,886.5 3,723.2 547.3 — — 1,205.11969 13,439.1 11,925.9 4,595.6 554.5 — — 1,513.2



TABLE Bf225–231 Public expenditures on social welfare – public aid: 1929–1995Contributed by Price V. Fishback and Melissa A. Thomasson

Public assistanceSupplemental

Total Total Medical payments Social services Security Income Food Stamps Other public aid

Bf225 Bf226 Bf227 Bf228 Bf229 Bf230 Bf231

Year Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars

1970 16,487.8 14,433.5 5,212.7 712.6 — 577.0 1,477.31971 21,262.0 18,075.0 6,277.5 950.4 — 1,576.3 1,610.71972 26,078.2 21,895.0 7,751.6 2,160.5 — 1,866.8 2,316.41973 28,691.4 24,002.6 9,208.7 2,306.3 45.7 2,212.9 2,430.21974 31,520.4 23,827.4 10,371.9 2,155.1 2,831.5 2,838.9 2,022.6

1975 41,446.6 27,409.4 13,550.6 2,622.4 6,091.6 4,693.9 3,251.71976 49,023.4 1 31,384.5 15,708.8 2,799.4 6,540.3 1 5,699.7 5,398.91977 53,812.4 35,376.0 18,351.7 3,216.8 6,818.9 5,472.0 6,145.51978 59,925.8 37,360.3 20,471.9 2,840.1 7,193.7 5,139.5 10,232.31979 65,307.0 40,497.1 23,491.0 2,725.8 7,532.3 6,816.1 10,461.5

1980 72,703.1 45,064.3 27,570.1 2,342.8 8,226.5 9,083.3 10,329.01981 83,634.0 51,744.7 32,492.3 2,489.9 9,288.0 11,136.4 11,464.91982 82,206.2 53,860.0 34,804.6 2,567.5 9,753.0 10,761.0 7,832.21983 88,330.7 57,181.6 37,180.6 2,507.9 10,793.8 12,540.7 7,814.61984 92,979.4 61,906.0 40,194.8 2,788.9 11,136.7 12,375.2 7,561.5

1985 98,361.8 66,170.2 43,859.6 2 2,742.8 11,840.0 12,512.7 7,838.91986 104,200.2 70,839.6 47,242.9 2,670.7 12,887.4 12,397.0 8,076.21987 112,115.1 1 78,249.2 53,121.4 2,696.8 1 13,638.0 1 12,362.1 7,865.81988 119,723.4 84,152.2 58,039.4 2,700.0 14,687.1 13,071.1 7,813.01989 128,609.8 91,290.6 64,548.3 2,670.5 15,823.3 13,589.3 7,906.6

1990 146,811.1 105,093.8 76,175.1 2,753.2 17,230.4 16,254.5 8,232.41991 181,334.4 133,664.2 101,909.0 2,822.5 19,646.2 19,471.3 8,552.71992 207,953.0 152,018.2 117,622.1 2,707.6 23,423.2 23,232.9 9,278.71993 220,999.8 160,625.0 125,138.0 3,712.9 26,506.2 24,496.7 9,371.91994 238,025.3 171,755.1 134,204.5 3,645.2 30,085.5 25,273.6 10,911.1

1995 253,530.0 187,219.0 150,869.0 3,729.0 30,138.0 25,319.0 10,854.0

1 Revised figure. See text for Table Bf188–195.2 The data reported in the 1997 and 1999 source articles for the year 1980 is 44,182.7,

which does not precisely match the data in the July 1995 source owing to revisions inthe procedures for estimating health expenditures.

SourcesEstimates presented for 1890 and 1913 were based primarily on the follow-ing: R. A. Musgrave and J. J. Culbertson, “The Growth of Public Expendituresin the U.S., 1890–1948,” National Tax Journal (June 1953): 97–115; J. FredericDewhurst and Associates, America’s Needs and Resources (Twentieth CenturyFund, 1955); and reports of official agencies. Data for 1929–1989, U.S. So-cial Security Administration, Social Welfare Expenditures under Public Programsin the United States, 1929–90 (July 1995); Ann Kallman Bixby, “Public SocialWelfare Expenditures, Fiscal Year 1992,” Social Security Bulletin 58 (2) (1995):65–73. Data for 1990–1995 are from Ann Kallman Bixby, “Public SocialWelfare Expenditures, Fiscal Year 1994,” Social Security Bulletin 60 (3) (1997):42; and Ann Kallman Bixby, “Public Social Welfare Expenditures, Fiscal Year1995,” Social Security Bulletin 62 (2) (1999): 88, 94. Most of the series in thistable are annually updated in the Social Security Bulletin: Annual Statistical Sup-plement, Table 3.A3. See the text for Table Bf188–195 for further discussionof the sources.

DocumentationMore information on the public aid programs is available in Tables Bf568–678 and Bf689–716.

Series Bf225. Includes cash payments and medical assistance under Aid toFamilies with Dependent Children (AFDC), Medicaid, emergency assistance,WIC (Women, Infants and Children), General Assistance programs, pub-lic assistance, work relief, other emergency aid, surplus food for the needy,food stamps, repatriate and refugee assistance, social services and workincentive activities, and the Job Corps, Neighborhood Youth Corps, andwork-experience training programs under the Economic Opportunity Actand related laws. It is the sum of series Bf226 and Bf229–231. Certain othereconomic opportunity programs are included in series Bf195 as antipovertyprograms.

Series Bf226. The figures on public assistance include cash payments andmedical assistance under the following programs: AFDC, Medicaid, emer-gency assistance, WIC, and general assistance from state and local funds.It also includes social services. Beginning in 1969, work incentive programexpenditures are included.

Series Bf229. Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) was established byCongress in 1972, with payments beginning in January 1974. SSI replacedthe former federal–state programs of Old-Age Assistance, Aid to the Blind,and Aid to the Permanently and Totally Disabled.

Series Bf231. Includes work relief, other emergency aid, surplus food forthe needy, repatriate and refugee assistance, work-experience training pro-grams, the WIC program beginning in 1974, and Low-Income Home EnergyAssistance beginning in 1981.


TAB

LEB

f232

–245

Pub

licex

pend

itur

eson

soci

alw

elfa

re–

heal

than

dm

edic

alpr

ogra

ms:

1929

–199

5C

ontr

ibut

edby

Pric

eV.

Fish

back

and

Mel

issa

A.T

hom

asso

n

Expe

ndit

ures

,by

prog

ram

Expe

ndit

ures

,by

func

tion

Und

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alth

and

med

ical

prog

ram

s

Hos

pita

land

med

ical

care

Mat

erna

land

Scho

olhe

alth

Oth

erpu

blic

Med

ical

Hea

lth

and

Med

ical

Civ

ilian

Und

erD

efen

sech

ildhe

alth

Med

ical

(edu

cati

onhe

alth

faci

lity

Und

erot

her

med

ical

Med

ical

faci

litie

sTo

tal

Tota

lpr

ogra

ms

Dep

artm

ent

prog

ram

sre

sear

chag

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acti

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ogra

ms

Tota

lse

rvic

esre

sear

chco

nstr

ucti

on

Bf2

32B

f233

Bf2

34B

f235

Bf2

36B

f237

Bf2

38B

f239

Bf2

40B

f241

Bf2

42B

f243

Bf2

44B

f245

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Year

dolla

rsdo

llars

dolla

rsdo

llars

dolla

rsdo

llars

dolla

rsdo

llars

dolla

rsdo

llars

dolla

rsdo

llars

dolla

rsdo

llars

1929

351.

114

6.3

117.

129

.26.

2—

9.4

88.8

100.

412

6.0

477.

137

2.5

0.0

104.

6

1930

378.

116

2.7

133.

729

.0—

—9.

710

2.3

103.

413

4.4

512.

540

0.5

0.0

112.

019

3140

5.8

179.

115

0.2

29.0

—0.

310

.110

8.6

107.

714

3.4

549.

343

1.8

0.3

117.

219

3243

4.5

218.

218

7.9

30.3

—1.

610

.511

5.0

89.2

146.

158

0.6

476.

21.

610

2.8

1933

417.

623

2.4

204.

528

.0—

0.9

10.0

114.

659

.812

8.1

545.

947

1.1

0.9

73.9

1934

400.

322

6.3

199.

426

.9—

0.3

9.3

114.

949

.697

.449

7.8

444.

60.

352

.9

1935

427.

225

3.1

225.

327

.76.

90.

310

.011

2.2

44.8

116.

054

3.2

495.

10.

347

.819

3645

3.9

267.

123

7.5

29.7

2.5

0.5

10.6

121.

052

.112

8.4

582.

352

6.7

0.5

55.1

1937

500.

127

7.6

245.

931

.79.

91.

412

.113

2.1

66.8

137.

763

7.6

560.

01.

476

.219

3853

9.5

289.

525

5.9

33.6

11.6

1.7

13.5

147.

775

.514

4.9

684.

459

7.5

1.7

85.2

1939

575.

229

0.2

255.

334

.913

.02.

015

.015

3.3

101.

714

9.0

724.

260

9.0

2.0

113.

2

1940

615.

534

3.0

297.

645

.413

.82.

616

.415

4.5

85.2

166.

178

1.6

679.

52.

699

.519

4172

4.4

472.

931

5.1

157.

816

.02.

517

.815

2.4

62.7

168.

189

2.4

822.

52.

567

.419

4294

8.7

661.

331

1.7

349.

617

.32.

419

.215

4.6

93.8

176.

81,

125.

41,

025.

02.

498

.019

431,

885.

81,

456.

332

5.4

1,13

0.9

17.7

2.6

20.6

177.

421

1.2

185.

72,

071.

51,

854.

92.

621

4.0

1944

2,22

5.1

1,86

6.8

335.

01,

531.

846

.72.

621

.916

3.4

123.

720

3.9

2,42

9.0

2,29

7.6

2.6

128.

8

1945

2,35

4.2

1,99

5.9

364.

81,

631.

162

.12.

523

.317

8.0

92.4

225.

22,

579.

42,

468.

22.

510

8.7

1946

1,90

4.1

1,52

8.6

400.

61,

128.

053

.33.

524

.623

0.3

63.8

378.

02,

282.

12,

178.

93.

599

.719

471,

367.

096

3.9

567.

639

6.2

35.2

25.6

24.7

260.

057

.773

1.6

2,09

8.6

1,84

8.3

27.0

223.

319

481,

416.

094

1.4

696.

324

5.1

30.6

47.0

24.7

287.

584

.673

6.7

2,15

2.5

1,98

9.2

49.6

113.

719

491,

753.

11,

096.

578

2.4

314.

131

.460

.827

.732

5.1

211.

590

4.4

2,65

7.4

2,24

2.4

65.1

349.

9

1950

2,06

3.5

1,22

2.3

886.

133

6.2

29.8

69.2

30.6

350.

836

0.8

1,00

1.9

3,06

5.4

2,47

0.2

72.9

522.

319

512,

782.

81,

812.

198

0.0

832.

033

.479

.631

.237

0.7

455.

81,

030.

13,

812.

83,

162.

684

.656

5.6

1952

3,33

1.3

2,20

7.5

1,08

7.7

1,11

9.8

36.5

99.4

31.8

462.

149

4.0

1,15

1.8

4,48

3.1

3,76

7.1

103.

361

2.7

1953

3,19

0.4

2,15

7.9

1,18

5.5

972.

439

.910

2.1

45.1

391.

645

3.8

1,18

7.4

4,37

7.8

3,72

4.2

107.

254

6.4

1954

3,09

9.1

2,03

5.7

1,22

7.4

808.

390

.111

3.5

58.3

363.

943

7.5

1,23

6.7

4,33

5.7

3,72

5.6

118.

849

1.3

1955

3,10

3.1

2,04

2.4

1,29

7.6

744.

892

.913

2.8

65.9

383.

738

5.4

1,31

7.5

4,42

0.6

3,86

2.4

138.

741

9.5

1956

3,30

7.1

2,23

3.7

1,47

1.2

762.

510

4.2

154.

073

.436

9.6

372.

21,

382.

24,

689.

34,

127.

216

1.7

400.

419

573,

775.

82,

489.

21,

675.

581

3.6

113.

322

6.0

79.5

435.

043

2.7

1,47

0.6

5,24

6.2

4,53

6.9

238.

547

0.8

1958

4,09

0.9

2,64

9.4

1,76

0.7

888.

712

2.1

278.

085

.639

4.5

561.

21,

584.

65,

675.

44,

788.

029

1.7

595.

719

594,

400.

62,

778.

11,

844.

693

3.6

133.

435

0.1

93.3

454.

159

1.5

1,76

4.3

6,16

4.9

5,15

8.5

367.

663

8.8

1960

14,

463.

82,

853.

31,

973.

288

0.1

141.

344

8.9

101.

040

1.2

518.

11,

931.

36,

395.

15,

346.

847

0.6

577.

719

614,

927.

03,

150.

72,

226.

092

4.7

152.

457

6.1

115.

042

6.6

506.

22,

131.

67,

058.

65,

895.

260

3.2

560.

219

625,

229.

83,

138.

92,

132.

81,

006.

117

4.1

780.

512

9.0

478.

152

9.2

2,40

7.7

7,63

7.5

6,23

7.5

818.

358

1.7

1963

5,59

3.5

3,27

0.5

2,27

4.6

995.

819

0.3

920.

312

8.4

531.

555

2.6

2,71

0.7

8,30

4.2

6,71

8.8

963.

062

2.4

1964

6,00

3.5

3,53

6.0

2,44

6.3

1,08

9.7

211.

71,

042.

512

7.7

548.

753

6.9

2,96

7.4

8,97

0.9

7,26

1.3

1,09

6.0

613.

6

Not

eap

pear

sat

end

ofta

ble

(con

tinu

ed)


BLE

Bf2

32–2

45P

ublic

expe

ndit

ures

onso

cial

wel

fare

–he

alth

and

med

ical

prog

ram

s:19

29–1

995

Con

tinue

d

Expe

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,by

prog

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Expe

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,by

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Und

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Mat

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Med

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(edu

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Med

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faci

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Dep

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Tota

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Bf2

32B

f233

Bf2

34B

f235

Bf2

36B

f237

Bf2

38B

f239

Bf2

40B

f241

Bf2

42B

f243

Bf2

44B

f245

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

Year

dolla

rsdo

llars

dolla

rsdo

llars

dolla

rsdo

llars

dolla

rsdo

llars

dolla

rsdo

llars

dolla

rsdo

llars

dolla

rsdo

llars

1965

6,15

5.0

3,39

1.0

2,51

0.0

881.

023

9.0

1,22

7.0

140.

061

4.0

544.

03,

283.

39,

438.

37,

531.

01,

286.

362

1.0

1966

6,74

0.0

3,72

0.0

2,68

2.0

1,03

8.0

274.

01,

374.

015

7.0

663.

055

2.0

3,84

3.7

10,5

83.7

8,50

5.6

1,44

2.6

635.

519

677,

383.

03,

982.

02,

630.

01,

352.

032

6.0

1,42

5.0

178.

083

2.0

640.

08,

091.

715

,474

.713

,275

.61,

499.

170

0.0

1968

8,17

2.0

4,30

0.0

2,75

9.0

1,54

1.0

352.

01,

617.

020

5.0

927.

077

1.0

11,4

77.3

19,6

49.3

17,1

43.5

1,68

4.9

820.

919

698,

828.

04,

564.

02,

933.

01,

631.

043

0.0

1,62

0.0

225.

01,

103.

088

6.0

13,8

04.3

22,6

32.3

19,9

97.2

1,70

1.2

933.

9

1970

19,

606.

04,

983.

03,

301.

01,

682.

045

0.0

1,68

4.0

247.

01,

312.

093

0.0

15,3

57.0

24,9

63.0

22,1

86.7

1,77

5.4

1,00

0.9

1971

10,4

37.0

5,52

7.0

3,70

2.0

1,82

5.0

420.

01,

694.

027

2.0

1,49

2.0

1,03

2.0

17,4

99.7

27,9

36.7

25,0

57.7

1,76

1.9

1,11

7.1

1972

11,8

24.0

6,11

4.0

4,05

1.0

2,06

3.0

516.

01,

938.

028

1.0

1,87

0.0

1,10

5.0

20,4

51.7

32,2

75.7

29,0

39.9

2,02

1.0

1,21

4.8

1973

12,7

99.0

6,91

0.0

4,59

1.0

2,31

9.0

474.

02,

173.

030

0.0

1,92

5.0

1,01

7.0

23,0

68.4

35,8

67.4

32,4

83.6

2,26

2.0

1,12

1.8

1974

14,1

98.0

7,56

5.0

4,98

1.0

2,58

4.0

516.

02,

242.

032

5.0

2,45

4.0

1,09

6.0

26,5

68.8

40,7

66.8

37,2

31.9

2,32

0.0

1,21

4.9

1975

16,7

42.0

8,83

6.0

6,01

9.0

2,81

7.0

567.

02,

648.

035

2.0

2,81

5.0

1,52

4.0

34,6

09.4

51,3

51.4

46,9

49.7

2,74

1.0

1,66

0.7

1976

18,3

56.0

8,99

3.0

6,13

6.0

2,85

7.0

614.

03,

307.

036

9.0

3,27

2.0

1,80

1.0

40,0

43.6

58,3

99.6

52,9

85.4

3,40

1.0

2,01

3.2

1977

19,4

41.0

9,33

6.0

6,31

3.0

3,02

3.0

680.

03,

392.

043

5.0

3,98

1.0

1,61

7.0

47,4

33.2

66,8

74.2

61,5

02.0

3,50

9.8

1,86

2.4

1978

22,2

01.0

10,2

47.0

6,93

3.0

3,31

4.0

718.

04,

029.

049

6.0

5,06

1.0

1,65

0.0

54,0

84.9

76,2

85.9

70,2

02.5

4,16

3.5

1,91

9.9

1979

24,0

40.0

11,3

63.0

7,68

1.0

3,68

2.0

779.

04,

271.

051

9.0

5,64

0.0

1,46

8.0

61,9

30.9

85,9

70.9

79,8

25.8

4,40

1.1

1,74

4.0

1980

127

,263

.012

,303

.08,

105.

04,

198.

087

0.0

4,92

4.0

575.

06,

931.

01,

660.

072

,833

.010

0,09

6.0

93,0

44.5

5,06

8.5

1,98

3.0

1981

29,5

88.0

13,3

76.0

8,53

6.0

4,84

0.0

921.

05,

193.

061

2.0

8,06

2.0

1,42

4.0

86,4

52.0

116,

040.

010

8,85

2.7

5,32

8.3

1,85

9.0

1982

32,8

70.0

15,1

95.0

9,61

4.0

5,58

1.0

912.

05,

454.

064

9.0

9,02

4.0

1,63

6.0

98,0

56.5

130,

926.

512

3,22

0.9

5,58

9.3

2,11

6.3

1983

34,0

90.0

15,1

56.0

9,09

8.0

6,05

8.0

1,11

4.0

5,69

3.0

685.

09,

603.

01,

839.

010

8,00

5.3

142,

095.

313

3,93

8.2

5,84

4.6

2,31

2.5

1984

35,7

22.0

15,6

08.0

9,26

0.0

6,34

8.0

1,09

3.0

6,27

3.0

726.

010

,460

.01,

562.

011

8,01

9.1

153,

741.

114

5,15

0.1

6,46

3.3

2,12

7.7

1985

139

,053

.016

,565

.02

9,14

3.0

7,42

2.0

21,

222.

06,

891.

078

8.0

211

,912

.01,

675.

013

2,23

1.8

171,

284.

816

2,03

4.2

7,11

7.6

2,13

3.0

1986

43,9

53.0

19,4

74.0

11,2

75.0

8,19

9.0

1,37

6.0

7,56

1.0

842.

013

,245

.01,

455.

014

1,86

6.0

185,

819.

017

5,99

9.7

7,74

7.2

2,07

2.1

1987

48,0

67.0

21,9

86.0

12,8

56.0

9,13

0.0

1,58

4.0

7,84

7.0

888.

014

,271

.01,

491.

015

5,34

2.8

203,

409.

819

3,09

0.5

8,05

6.5

2,26

2.8

1988

53,0

96.0

23,9

27.0

14,2

57.0

9,67

0.0

1,66

6.0

9,13

2.0

944.

015

,983

.01,

444.

016

4,59

6.5

217,

692.

520

5,93

7.1

9,34

7.3

2,40

8.1

1989

57,1

23.0

24,5

84.0

14,4

26.0

10,1

58.0

1,77

5.0

9,80

0.0

1,02

8.0

218

,261

.01,

675.

018

4,15

5.3

241,

278.

322

8,92

2.8

10,0

34.7

2,32

0.8

1990

61,6

84.0

25,9

71.0

14,8

09.0

11,1

62.0

1,86

5.0

10,8

48.0

1,11

3.0

19,3

54.0

2,53

3.0

212,

788.

027

4,47

2.0

260,

408.

011

,086

.02,

978.

019

9165

,810

.028

,251

.015

,511

.012

,740

.01,

981.

011

,312

.01,

194.

020

,881

.02,

191.

024

8,41

7.0

314,

227.

029

9,69

2.0

11,5

68.0

2,96

7.0

1992

70,1

14.0

28,6

64.0

15,8

95.0

12,7

69.0

2,10

6.0

12,5

99.0

1,23

0.0

22,9

80.0

2,53

5.0

283,

060.

035

3,17

4.0

336,

925.

012

,869

.03,

380.

019

9374

,717

.02

30,6

17.0

17,2

08.0

13,4

09.0

2,18

5.0

12,7

79.0

1,32

0.0

224

,772

.03,

044.

030

6,99

3.0

381,

710.

036

4,85

8.0

13,0

58.0

3,79

4.0

1994

80,2

35.0

231

,562

.018

,428

.013

,134

.02,

272.

013

,988

.01,

489.

02

27,6

85.0

3,23

9.0

328,

545.

040

8,78

0.0

390,

482.

014

,280

.04,

018.

0

1995

85,5

07.0

31,9

04.0

18,4

82.0

13,4

22.0

2,34

8.0

14,9

82.0

1,66

7.0

30,8

08.0

3,79

8.0

349,

568.

043

5,07

5.0

415,

424.

015

,271

.04,

380.

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TABLE Bf232–245 Public expenditures on social welfare – health and medical programs: 1929–1995 Continued

Series Bf232. The sum of series Bf233 and Bf236–240. The estimates forhealth and medical programs are derived from the Census of Governmentsand the U.S. Budget. They include net public expenditures for hospital andmedical care (after deduction of fee payments), hospital construction, schoolhealth, community and related public health services, and maternal and childhealth services. They exclude state and local expenditures for domiciliary carein institutions other than mental and tuberculosis. They also exclude expen-ditures for health and medical services provided in connection with Old-Age,Survivors, Disability, and Health Insurance, state temporary disability insur-ance, workers’ compensation, public assistance, vocational rehabilitation,and veterans’ and antipoverty programs; these are included in the total ex-penditures shown for those programs. Also excluded are international healthactivities. Omitted from the health category, but included under educationin Table Bf255–262, are expenditures for medical schools and other healthtraining institutions.

Series Bf233. The sum of series Bf234–235.

Series Bf235. Includes medical care for military dependents.

Series Bf236. Includes services for disabled children.

Series Bf241. Sums the expenditures listed under other administrative struc-tures, including expenditures on Medicare, series Bf215; health and medicalbenefits under state temporary disability insurance, series Bf222; workers’compensation health and medical benefits, series Bf224; public assistancemedical payments, series Bf227; veterans’ hospital and medical care, seriesBf249; veterans’ hospital construction, series Bf250; veterans’ medical andprosthetic research, series Bf251; and vocational rehabilitation spending onmedical services and medical research, series Bf265–266.

Series Bf242. Includes health and medical expenditures under all public pro-grams. This series is the sum of series Bf232 and Bf241. It is also the sum ofseries Bf243–245 (see Bixby 1995, p. 73). When comparing the two sets ofsums, there are some rounding errors in some years. In 1992 through 1994,there are some discrepancies between the two sums greater than $0.2 millionbut smaller than 0.02 percent of the value of the series.

Series Bf243, expenditures on health and medical services. The series isthe sum of expenditures under the following: medicare, series Bf215; statetemporary disability insurance spending on health and medical benefits, se-ries Bf222; workers’ compensation spending on health and medical care,series Bf224; public assistance medical payments, series Bf227; hospital andmedical care for civilians, series Bf234; hospital and medical care under theDefense Department, series Bf235; maternal and child health programs, se-ries Bf236; other public health activities, series Bf239; veterans’ hospital andmedical care, series Bf249; medical vocational rehabilitation, series Bf265;and school health expenditures by education agencies (series not listed ineducation tables).

Series Bf244, medical research expenditures. The series is the sum of ex-penditures under the following: health and medical programs, series Bf237;veterans’ programs, series Bf251; and vocational rehabilitation, series Bf266.

Series Bf245, medical facilities construction. The series is the sum of spend-ing under both health and medical programs and veterans’ programs, seriesBf240 and Bf250.

TABLE Bf246–254 Public expenditures on social welfare – veterans’ programs: 1929–1995Contributed by Price V. Fishback and Melissa A. Thomasson

Health and medical programs

Medical andPensions and Hospital and Hospital prosthetic Welfare and

Total compensation Total medical care construction research Education Life insurance other


Year Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars

1929 657.9 434.7 50.9 46.7 4.2 — — 136.4 35.8

1930 667.8 433.4 59.4 50.7 8.6 — — 140.0 35.01931 744.3 504.4 68.3 58.7 9.5 — — 137.7 34.01932 825.0 562.2 77.8 64.3 13.6 — — 146.0 39.01933 818.8 565.0 69.9 55.8 14.1 — — 145.3 38.61934 529.5 333.0 42.2 38.9 3.3 — — 124.6 29.8

1935 597.5 386.5 50.8 47.8 3.0 — — 122.8 37.51936 3,825.5 411.3 55.1 52.1 3.0 — — 117.7 3,241.41937 892.7 1 409.0 62.1 52.8 9.4 — — 113.1 308.41938 627.3 415.2 64.6 54.8 9.7 — — 107.8 39.81939 606.1 429.7 68.6 57.2 11.5 — — 76.3 31.3

1940 629.0 443.3 75.8 61.5 14.3 — — 77.0 32.91941 612.9 448.4 69.9 65.1 4.7 — — 68.7 25.81942 645.4 445.7 72.4 68.2 4.2 — — 60.4 67.01943 623.3 457.8 75.1 72.3 2.8 — — 67.0 23.31944 720.0 513.1 87.0 82.0 5.1 — — 93.7 26.2

1945 1,125.8 766.6 101.8 85.5 16.3 — 9.8 201.2 46.41946 2,402.9 1,279.5 243.8 207.9 35.9 — 368.9 376.0 134.71947 5,682.5 1,834.4 578.0 411.1 165.6 1.4 2,273.3 440.9 556.01948 6,638.2 1,910.6 563.5 531.8 29.1 2.6 2,630.2 433.1 1,100.81949 6,926.7 1,980.1 718.2 575.5 138.4 4.3 2,817.9 452.3 958.2

1950 6,865.7 2,092.1 748.0 582.8 161.5 3.7 2,691.6 475.7 858.31951 5,996.0 2,113.8 695.8 581.0 109.8 5.0 2,019.3 515.0 652.11952 5,255.6 2,183.7 766.7 644.2 118.7 3.9 1,380.7 554.9 369.61953 4,734.7 2,448.6 739.2 641.5 92.6 5.1 706.8 538.8 301.41954 4,630.9 2,507.1 739.9 680.8 53.8 5.3 596.4 538.1 249.4



TABLE Bf246–254 Public expenditures on social welfare – veterans’ programs: 1929–1995 Continued

Health and medical programs

Medical andPensions and Hospital and Hospital prosthetic Welfare and

Total compensation Total medical care construction research Education Life insurance other



1955 4,833.5 2,689.7 761.1 721.5 34.1 5.6 706.1 490.2 186.51956 5,061.2 2,805.4 759.9 725.2 28.2 6.5 809.5 476.2 210.21957 5,118.8 2,886.4 786.9 738.4 38.1 10.4 816.2 476.9 152.51958 5,426.7 3,126.7 843.8 799.3 34.5 10.0 736.9 490.0 229.31959 5,472.3 3,303.9 904.5 844.4 47.3 12.8 608.7 485.6 169.6

1960 5,479.2 3,402.7 954.0 879.4 59.6 15.1 409.6 494.1 218.81961 5,623.7 3,664.8 1,019.9 947.4 54.0 18.4 257.6 492.7 188.91962 5,654.1 3,749.1 1,041.3 962.0 52.5 26.8 157.2 499.5 207.11963 5,751.2 3,912.6 1,112.7 1,013.0 69.8 29.9 100.8 489.4 135.71964 5,861.5 4,001.7 1,172.8 1,063.0 76.7 33.2 69.6 471.6 145.7

1965 6,031.1 4,141.4 1,228.7 1,114.8 77.0 36.9 1 40.9 434.3 185.81966 6,358.3 4,409.3 1,285.1 1,160.9 83.5 40.7 34.4 442.1 187.41967 6,898.3 4,499.4 1,358.8 1,251.7 60.0 47.1 296.9 548.4 194.81968 7,246.7 4,644.1 1,438.7 1,342.5 49.9 46.3 465.7 503.8 194.41969 7,933.6 4,987.0 1,530.9 1,430.8 47.9 52.2 679.4 492.9 243.4

1970 9,078.1 5,393.8 1,784.1 1,651.4 70.9 61.8 1,018.5 502.3 379.41971 10,455.0 1 5,877.5 2,026.0 1 1,873.0 85.1 67.9 1,622.4 526.6 402.51972 11,522.3 6,209.3 2,431.4 2,255.6 109.8 66.0 1,924.6 523.7 433.31973 13,026.4 6,605.8 2,766.1 2,587.3 104.8 74.0 2,647.9 532.2 474.41974 14,112.4 6,777.4 2,983.5 2,786.6 118.9 78.0 3,206.9 538.5 606.2

1975 17,018.9 7,578.5 3,516.8 3,287.1 136.7 93.0 4,433.8 556.1 933.71976 18,958.0 8,279.7 4,060.9 3,754.7 212.2 94.0 5,350.6 564.3 702.51977 19,014.3 9,081.9 4,670.6 4,321.2 245.4 104.0 3,925.5 607.2 729.11978 19,744.0 9,676.5 5,237.5 4,855.6 269.9 112.0 3,405.6 614.3 810.11979 20,601.6 10,578.2 5,700.9 5,307.9 276.0 117.0 2,794.1 638.2 890.2

1980 21,465.5 11,306.0 6,203.9 5,749.9 323.0 131.0 2,400.7 664.5 890.41981 23,440.9 12,453.6 6,999.6 6,429.3 435.0 135.3 2,335.6 709.0 943.11982 24,708.1 13,301.6 7,825.8 7,210.2 480.3 135.3 1,816.3 747.0 1,017.41983 25,801.9 13,894.9 8,387.7 7,762.6 473.5 151.6 1,707.5 744.0 1,067.81984 26,274.9 14,050.5 8,935.9 8,179.9 565.7 190.3 1,402.0 719.0 1,167.5

1985 27,041.7 1 14,333.0 9,492.6 1 8,808.0 458.0 226.6 1,170.8 795.5 1,249.81986 27,444.9 14,493.2 9,923.1 9,119.8 617.1 186.2 866.8 893.0 1,268.81987 28,050.8 14,522.1 10,503.0 9,521.7 771.8 209.5 742.2 937.9 1,345.61988 29,663.4 14,913.9 11,331.0 10,151.5 964.1 215.3 653.0 963.1 1,802.41989 30,103.7 15,279.2 11,662.9 10,782.3 645.8 234.7 647.3 1,002.2 1,512.1

1990 30,916.2 15,792.6 12,004.1 11,321.4 445.0 237.7 522.8 1,037.8 1,558.91991 32,857.3 16,284.3 13,221.5 12,189.6 776.4 255.5 569.5 1,039.3 1,742.71992 35,642.0 16,539.3 15,442.0 13,451.8 844.9 270.4 772.0 1,113.7 1,775.01993 36,378.3 17,205.2 15,410.5 14,382.5 749.6 278.6 937.7 904.7 1,920.21994 37,984.8 17,481.0 16,231.4 15,089.5 778.8 292.3 1,098.3 971.5 2,112.6

1995 39,072.0 18,070.4 16,654.4 15,714.0 581.9 289.1 1,118.2 946.3 2,282.7

1 Revised figure. See text for Table Bf188–195.

SourcesData for 1929–1989, U.S. Social Security Administration, Social Welfare Ex-penditures under Public Programs in the United States, 1929–90 (July 1995); AnnKallman Bixby, “Public Social Welfare Expenditures, Fiscal Year 1992,” SocialSecurity Bulletin 58 (2) (1995): 65–73. Data for 1990–1995 are from AnnKallman Bixby, “Public Social Welfare Expenditures, Fiscal Year 1994,” SocialSecurity Bulletin 60 (3) (1997): 42; and Ann Kallman Bixby, “Public SocialWelfare Expenditures, Fiscal Year 1995,” Social Security Bulletin 62 (2) (1999):88. Most of the series in this table are annually updated in the Social Secu-rity Bulletin: Annual Statistical Supplement, Table 3.A3. See the text for TableBf188–195 for further discussion of the sources.

DocumentationThe estimates for veterans programs were obtained from the Annual Report ofVeterans Administration, supplemented by unpublished data.

Series Bf246. The sum of series Bf247–248 and Bf252–254.

Series Bf247 and Bf252. Series Bf247 includes burial awards and, beginningin 1965, subsistence payments to disabled veterans undergoing training andspecial allowances for survivors of veterans who did not qualify under Old-Age, Survivors, Disability, and Health Insurance. Beginning in 1973–1974,subsistence payments to disabled veterans undergoing training shifted fromthe pensions and compensation to the education series.


Series Bf253. Excludes the service persons’ group life insurance program.

Series Bf254. The most unusual increase in the series came when Congressvoted to pay a “veterans’ bonus” in 1936 over Franklin Roosevelt’s veto. Thebonus provided for the immediate payment to veterans of World War I oftheir adjusted compensation certificates, which were supposed to come duein 1945.


TABLE Bf255–262 Public expenditures on social welfare – education and housing: 1929–1995Contributed by Price V. Fishback and Melissa A. Thomasson

Education Housing

Elementary and secondary education Higher educationVocationaland adult Public

Total Total Construction Total Construction education Total housing


Year Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars

1929 2,433.7 2,216.2 377.0 182.1 0.2 34.9 — —

1930 2,522.8 2,288.2 370.9 196.1 30.9 37.9 — —1931 2,439.6 2,217.5 290.9 180.4 — 41.1 — —1932 2,351.8 2,144.4 202.0 164.3 0.9 42.4 — —1933 2,104.0 1,911.1 135.1 153.1 — 39.2 — —1934 1,913.8 1,732.8 112.5 143.2 14.4 37.3 0.4 0.4

1935 2,007.5 1,820.1 123.3 147.9 — 39.1 13.2 13.21936 2,227.6 2,012.5 255.0 154.8 — 50.8 41.7 41.71937 2,375.7 2,143.8 288.8 177.5 — 53.9 3.1 3.11938 2,563.0 2,296.6 355.9 199.3 19.4 66.6 3.9 3.91939 2,503.7 2,221.4 248.4 208.6 20.0 73.0 3.4 3.4

1940 2,561.2 2,267.4 258.0 217.6 20.6 75.4 4.2 4.21941 2,617.2 2,255.2 197.8 225.9 17.1 135.2 8.9 8.91942 2,694.2 2,262.8 138.2 251.0 13.6 178.7 14.3 14.31943 2,793.3 2,324.4 95.8 269.3 12.4 197.8 13.6 13.61944 2,800.4 2,392.2 53.9 261.5 11.3 144.4 13.3 13.3

1945 3,076.3 2,620.6 82.5 314.4 42.3 139.2 11.1 11.11946 3,296.8 2,834.0 111.1 363.5 73.5 97.9 158.7 158.71947 4,089.0 3,479.1 263.2 497.2 130.5 111.3 280.9 280.91948 4,897.3 4,130.1 413.7 633.6 191.0 131.7 27.3 27.31949 5,806.6 4,889.5 719.8 769.1 245.8 145.6 7.7 7.7

1950 6,674.1 5,596.2 1,019.4 914.7 310.3 160.8 14.6 14.51951 7,415.1 6,329.9 1,251.5 912.4 234.3 169.9 35.0 21.41952 8,245.7 7,115.0 1,483.6 947.9 161.7 179.0 37.1 25.01953 9,230.9 8,034.4 1,774.2 1,012.9 155.1 178.5 50.6 37.91954 10,084.4 8,815.5 2,066.4 1,081.5 146.9 183.9 67.4 53.8

1955 11,157.2 9,734.3 2,231.9 1,214.4 198.6 204.9 89.3 74.71956 12,154.4 10,578.8 2,395.5 1,349.9 244.4 221.9 111.7 92.01957 13,732.3 11,856.5 2,629.6 1,628.8 333.0 241.2 120.2 101.21958 15,312.6 13,150.8 2,868.1 1,893.0 423.9 261.1 134.2 110.61959 16,498.3 14,139.1 2,757.3 2,062.5 389.7 283.2 156.2 127.8

1960 17,626.2 15,109.0 2,661.8 2,190.7 357.9 298.0 176.8 143.51961 19,337.2 16,448.4 2,762.0 2,546.0 458.8 316.5 196.1 159.21962 21,004.6 17,743.6 2,862.2 2,877.7 554.8 353.7 216.6 173.31963 22,670.7 18,915.5 2,920.1 3,299.6 653.8 420.6 248.1 191.41964 24,989.0 20,688.1 2,978.0 3,740.0 703.0 512.9 277.7 206.5

1965 28,107.8 22,357.7 3,267.0 4,826.4 1,081.4 853.9 318.1 234.51966 32,825.1 25,566.0 3,754.9 6,023.7 1,482.3 1,108.1 334.9 249.21967 35,807.8 27,741.5 3,970.4 6,628.9 1,439.2 1,296.1 377.8 275.81968 40,589.7 31,675.4 4,255.8 7,327.7 1,323.1 1,435.3 427.6 293.71969 43,673.1 33,705.3 4,654.1 8,173.9 1,447.0 1,648.3 532.3 360.1

1970 50,845.5 38,632.3 4,659.1 9,907.0 1,566.9 2,144.4 701.2 459.91971 56,704.7 42,910.8 4,551.9 10,834.9 1,565.5 2,718.1 1,046.2 608.21972 59,385.1 44,524.1 4,458.9 11,582.6 1,481.9 3,021.0 1,332.4 731.11973 64,733.7 48,076.9 5,008.4 12,940.0 1,483.2 3,453.9 2,179.6 1,101.91974 70,533.9 52,459.2 4,978.9 13,955.8 1,386.3 3,880.4 2,554.0 1,233.1

1975 80,834.1 59,745.6 5,746.0 16,384.1 1,512.7 4,441.3 3,171.7 1,456.41976 87,729.7 63,234.9 5,920.1 18,741.9 1,557.7 5,504.9 3,370.8 1,716.01977 93,878.3 68,218.5 6,235.1 20,034.4 1,505.7 5,312.0 4,358.1 2,763.51978 101,517.8 73,133.1 5,245.2 21,893.3 1,458.5 6,133.3 5,224.7 3,626.01979 109,261.5 77,714.6 5,449.3 24,129.8 1,417.4 7,029.4 5,493.1 3,775.8

1980 121,049.6 87,149.9 6,524.0 26,175.9 1,528.1 7,375.2 6,879.0 4,680.61981 130,108.5 92,327.7 6,756.9 29,615.2 1,751.6 7,854.9 6,733.5 4,587.31982 138,089.3 97,419.5 6,772.2 32,369.1 1,991.7 7,997.2 9,202.1 6,643.51983 146,415.4 102,651.7 7,199.5 35,067.7 2,058.6 8,386.4 10,963.5 7,594.31984 157,188.9 110,066.7 7,258.0 37,796.8 1,962.4 9,069.4 11,531.8 8,408.2

(continued)


TABLE Bf255–262 Public expenditures on social welfare – education and housing: 1929–1995 Continued

Education Housing

Elementary and secondary education Higher educationVocationaland adult Public

Total Total Construction Total Construction education Total housing



1985 172,047.5 120,696.6 8,358.0 41,130.4 2,346.6 9,891.2 12,598.5 9,340.31986 189,234.6 142,721.9 10,009.0 45,033.1 2,638.0 1,207.6 11,961.8 8,350.01987 204,563.7 154,917.5 11,325.0 48,022.1 3,086.9 1,247.4 13,173.5 9,230.71988 219,382.2 167,834.9 11,789.0 49,898.3 3,199.3 1,288.0 16,555.9 12,176.51989 238,771.0 183,170.7 14,584.0 54,028.5 3,313.0 1,209.2 18,126.7 13,210.9

1990 258,331.6 199,224.3 10,636.0 57,424.3 3,953.0 1,293.3 19,468.5 14,521.81991 277,147.1 215,798.8 12,363.0 59,582.6 3,981.1 1,314.3 21,522.6 16,177.41992 292,070.6 226,905.4 14,681.0 63,259.9 4,869.5 1,451.8 20,617.2 15,302.01993 331,996.8 252,506.5 22,288.0 77,558.1 8,990.3 1,494.9 20,782.3 15,302.01994 344,091.0 261,006.2 19,692.8 81,091.2 9,891.8 1,503.8 27,032.0 24,724.4

1995 365,625.3 277,874.5 24,809.9 85,743.8 10,490.3 1,508.0 29,361.1 24,724.4

SourcesData for 1929–1989, U.S. Social Security Administration, Social Welfare Ex-penditures under Public Programs in the United States, 1929–90 (July 1995); AnnKallman Bixby, “Public Social Welfare Expenditures, Fiscal Year 1992,” SocialSecurity Bulletin 58 (2) (1995): 65–73. Data for 1990–1995 come from AnnKallman Bixby, “Public Social Welfare Expenditures, Fiscal Year 1994,” SocialSecurity Bulletin 60 (3) (1997): 42; and Ann Kallman Bixby, “Public SocialWelfare Expenditures, Fiscal Year 1995,” Social Security Bulletin 62 (2) (1999):88. Most of the series in this table are annually updated in the Social Secu-rity Bulletin: Annual Statistical Supplement, Table 3.A3. See the text for TableBf188–195 for further discussion of the sources.

DocumentationThe primary basis for the education estimates are the various federal andstate expenditures series compiled by the U.S. Office of Education and ap-pearing in the annual editions of the Digest of Educational Statistics. Data fromthese sources, however, are adjusted to fit the conceptual framework for thesesocial welfare expenditures series. For example, the latter omit the variousstudent and school construction loan programs and certain research and de-velopment expenditures that have subordinate educational objectives. Alsoexcluded are inhouse training programs conducted outside of educationalinstitutions and expenditures for international education (except for U.S.-operated schools abroad).

In addition, certain programs included in the U.S. Office of Educationseries, such as veterans’ benefits, manpower and training programs, school

meals, and health-related research facilities, are included elsewhere in the so-cial welfare expenditures series and are therefore not included as educationexpenditures.

Series Bf255–260. The education data include public expenditures for sup-port, maintenance, and operation of local, state, and federal elementary–secondary, vocational, adult, and higher education institutions.

Series Bf255, public expenditures on education. The sum of series Bf256,Bf258, and Bf260. Includes expenditures for the support of students, theconstruction of educational facilities, and the administrative operations ofstate and local departments of education and the U.S. Office of Education.Federal administrative expenditures (U.S. Department of Education) andresearch costs are included only in total spending, series Bf255. State andlocal expenditures for vocational and adult education are not available after1985.

Series Bf261. The data on housing expenditures are supplied principally bythe U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and confined tooutlays for housing owned or operated by a public body (“public hous-ing”) and to programs designed to provide subsidized housing for low- andmoderate-income families (for example, rent supplements, homeownershipand rental housing assistance, and rehabilitation grants). Excluded from theseries are urban renewal and city demonstration programs, as well as mort-gage and loan insurance programs and programs providing credit facilitiesfor home-financing institutions.


TABLE Bf263–270 Public expenditures on social welfare – other programs: 1929–1995Contributed by Price V. Fishback and Melissa A. Thomasson

Vocational rehabilitation Special OEO Social welfare,Medical and ACTION not elsewhere

Total Total Medical care research Child nutrition Child welfare programs classified



1929 76.2 1.6 0.1 — — — — 74.7

1930 77.5 1.8 0.1 — — — — 75.71931 78.8 2.1 0.2 — — — — 76.71932 80.9 2.3 0.2 — — — — 78.71933 88.8 2.2 0.2 — — — — 86.61934 95.8 2.1 0.2 — — — — 93.7

1935 99.0 2.3 0.2 — — 26.0 — 70.71936 100.5 2.7 0.3 — 0.2 26.1 — 71.51937 105.4 3.4 0.5 — 0.2 35.4 — 66.41938 108.2 4.0 0.4 — 0.6 47.6 — 56.11939 113.8 4.1 0.3 — 1.3 46.4 — 62.0

1940 116.4 4.2 0.3 — 4.0 45.0 — 63.31941 136.4 4.8 0.3 — 13.7 43.6 — 74.31942 153.9 5.3 0.4 — 23.3 42.1 — 83.11943 158.6 5.7 0.6 — 23.4 46.2 — 83.41944 181.6 6.6 0.8 — 34.4 50.2 — 90.5

1945 197.9 10.2 1.4 — 47.4 55.5 — 84.91946 232.7 14.2 2.2 — 57.1 60.7 — 100.71947 315.6 20.0 3.5 — 100.3 79.3 — 116.01948 368.8 25.1 5.2 — 117.1 98.5 — 128.11949 395.9 26.5 6.2 — 131.8 101.9 — 135.7

1950 447.7 30.0 7.4 — 160.2 104.9 — 152.61951 461.9 31.0 7.8 — 166.0 108.4 — 156.41952 451.0 33.4 8.7 — 154.2 113.4 — 149.91953 503.0 35.2 8.9 — 191.9 120.5 — 155.31954 612.1 36.7 8.7 — 240.3 126.2 — 208.9

1955 619.0 42.4 9.1 0.3 239.6 135.1 — 201.81956 735.4 56.3 11.0 1.2 294.4 145.6 — 239.11957 823.0 66.5 12.7 2.1 364.0 159.7 — 232.81958 920.4 77.8 15.0 3.7 325.4 176.4 — 340.81959 1,009.6 86.9 16.7 4.7 368.4 184.8 — 369.4

1960 1,139.4 96.3 17.7 6.6 398.7 211.5 — 432.91961 1,342.8 109.0 20.4 8.7 405.5 224.5 — 603.71962 1,414.5 128.6 22.5 11.0 463.7 246.6 — 575.51963 1,593.4 148.5 26.0 12.8 479.8 268.8 — 696.31964 1,746.0 182.4 31.2 20.3 521.6 314.6 — 727.4

1965 2,065.6 210.4 34.2 22.4 617.4 354.3 51.7 831.81966 2,308.8 298.6 47.9 27.9 537.4 400.5 287.3 785.01967 2,848.5 410.2 67.5 27.0 588.5 453.3 451.7 944.81968 3,285.4 466.0 102.0 21.6 705.9 505.6 608.1 999.81969 3,792.5 583.1 118.4 29.0 743.1 566.6 663.3 1,236.4

1970 4,145.3 703.7 133.8 29.6 896.0 585.4 752.8 1,207.41971 4,983.0 800.8 162.8 — 1,204.5 596.8 784.9 1,596.01972 5,363.8 875.4 179.2 17.0 1,502.4 532.0 782.7 1,671.31973 5,698.2 911.7 175.0 15.0 1,707.0 526.0 894.9 1,658.61974 6,721.5 967.5 185.2 — 2,025.8 510.0 766.7 2,451.5

1975 6,946.6 1,036.4 217.7 — 2,517.6 597.0 638.3 2,157.31976 8,472.5 1,189.7 216.0 — 2,806.3 752.6 572.1 3,151.81977 9,071.4 1,251.9 242.6 13.8 3,268.3 810.0 748.7 2,992.51978 10,562.7 1,297.6 255.6 22.5 3,584.9 800.0 881.4 3,998.81979 11,076.2 1,309.2 276.4 13.1 4,374.6 800.0 896.9 3,695.5

1980 13,599.1 1,251.1 279.4 13.5 4,852.3 800.0 2,302.7 4,393.01981 11,983.1 1,195.1 290.0 — 4,870.7 172.7 814.5 4,930.11982 11,654.4 1,233.7 310.1 — 4,490.6 160.2 521.5 5,248.41983 12,466.4 1,333.2 369.0 — 4,981.4 160.1 457.4 5,534.31984 13,294.9 1,447.7 341.6 — 5,198.9 165.0 479.1 6,004.2



TABLE Bf263–270 Public expenditures on social welfare – other programs: 1929–1995 Continued

Vocational rehabilitation Special OEO Social welfare,Medical and ACTION not elsewhere

Total Total Medical care research Child nutrition Child welfare programs classified



1985 13,551.8 1,536.7 360.0 — 5,308.5 200.0 503.8 6,002.81986 14,160.6 1,615.9 376.8 — 5,676.7 197.9 504.5 6,165.61987 15,277.9 1,773.4 412.4 — 6,230.6 222.5 519.6 6,531.81988 15,479.0 1,905.5 444.0 — 6,250.0 239.4 153.3 6,930.81989 16,608.7 1,999.0 499.9 — 6,644.9 246.7 162.9 7,555.2

1990 17,917.6 2,126.6 531.6 — 7,165.4 252.6 169.4 8,203.61991 19,779.8 1 2,235.8 559.0 — 7,966.9 273.9 191.9 9,111.31992 21,531.5 2,446.8 611.7 — 8,775.8 273.9 193.8 9,841.21993 22,670.0 2,379.1 594.8 — 9,392.4 294.6 208.3 10,395.61994 24,762.5 2,560.1 640.0 — 10,099.1 294.6 204.4 11,604.3

1995 26,557.7 2,630.3 658.0 — 10,653.4 292.0 222.0 12,760.0

1 Revised figure. See text for Table Bf188–195.

SourcesData for 1929–1989, U.S. Social Security Administration, Social Welfare Ex-penditures under Public Programs in the United States, 1929–90 (July 1995); AnnKallman Bixby, “Public Social Welfare Expenditures, Fiscal Year 1992,” SocialSecurity Bulletin 58 (2) (1995): 65–73. Data for 1990–1993, Social Security Bul-letin: Annual Statistical Supplement (1996), Table 3.A3, p. 141; for 1994–1995,Social Security Bulletin: Annual Statistical Supplement (1999), Table 3.A3, p. 139.Information for the 1990s on series Bf265 is from Ann Kallman Bixby, “PublicSocial Welfare Expenditures, Fiscal Year 1994,” Social Security Bulletin 60 (3)(1997): 42; and Ann Kallman Bixby, “Public Social Welfare Expenditures,Fiscal Year 1995,” Social Security Bulletin 62 (2) (1999): 88. The series in thistable are annually updated in the Social Security Bulletin: Annual Statistical Sup-plement, Table 3.A3. See the text for Table Bf188–195 for further discussionof the sources.

DocumentationSeries Bf263. The sum of series Bf264 and Bf267–270.

Series Bf264, vocational rehabilitation. Includes vocational rehabilitationspending on medical services and research, series Bf265–266. Vocational re-habilitation spending on medical research is no longer available separatelyafter 1980.

Series Bf267, child nutrition. Includes surplus food for schools and pro-grams under the National School Lunch and Child Nutrition Acts.

Series Bf268, child welfare. Represents primarily child welfare services underthe Social Security Act. State and local data on child welfare spending are notavailable after 1980. Beginning in 1968–1969, administrative expendituresare excluded.

Series Bf269, U.S. Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) and ACTIONprograms. Includes domestic programs consolidated in 1972 underACTION (VISTA, foster grandparents, and other domestic volunteer pro-grams) and special OEO programs. After 1987, represents ACTION fundsonly.

Series Bf270, social welfare spending, not elsewhere classified. Federal ex-penditures include spending on the following: institutional care primarily inthe form of surplus food for institutions; the administrative and related ex-penses of the Secretary of Health and Human Services; Indian welfare andguidance; aging and juvenile delinquency; and certain manpower and hu-man development programs. State and local expenditures include amountsfor institutional care, anti-poverty and manpower programs, day care, childplacement and adoption services, foster care, legal assistance, care of tran-sients, and other unspecified welfare services. In the original source, spendingon institutional care is reported separately from social welfare spending, notelsewhere classified. However, there was a definitional change such that theinformation on state and local spending on anti-poverty programs, fostercare, legal assistance to the needy, and care of transients that was listedunder spending on institutional care prior to 1970 was moved to the cate-gory social welfare spending not elsewhere classified after 1969. To ensureconsistency, the data are presented as a combined series here.

SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMS Series Bf271–283 751

SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMS


TABLE Bf271–283 Employment covered under selected government social insurance programs – estimated payrolls:1937–1996


Wage andsalary Wages and salaries in employment Wages and salaries in civilian employment

disbursements covered by retirement programs covered by other programs

Unemployment insurance

Net earningsTotal earnings of self-in employment, Federal State and employedincluding self- civil local covered by State Workers’employment Total Civilian Total OASDHI Railroad service government OASDHI Total programs Railroad compensation

Bf271 Bf272 Bf273 Bf274 1, 2 Bf275 3 Bf276 3 Bf277 Bf278 Bf279 Bf280 Bf281 Bf282 3 Bf283

Million Million Million Million Million Million Million Million Million Million Million Million MillionYear dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars

1937 57,624 44,421 44,067 37,943 32,770 2,265 1,050 1,858 — — — 2,265 —1938 52,157 40,860 40,495 33,755 28,635 2,010 1,139 1,971 — 28,210 26,200 2,010 —1939 55,901 44,056 43,668 36,892 31,488 2,149 1,221 2,034 — 31,218 29,069 2,149 —

1940 81,272 48,227 47,664 41,660 35,600 2,280 1,430 2,350 — 34,632 32,352 2,280 35,5001941 78,369 60,862 58,996 52,499 45,300 2,697 1,912 2,590 — 44,682 41,985 2,697 —1942 105,347 81,516 75,348 67,714 58,000 3,394 3,600 2,720 — 57,942 54,548 3,394 —1943 134,159 105,527 91,394 81,640 69,400 4,100 5,100 3,040 — 69,971 65,871 4,100 —1944 146,763 116,942 96,909 86,443 73,100 4,523 5,600 3,220 — 73,409 68,886 4,523 —

1945 148,901 117,479 95,660 85,438 71,300 4,530 5,840 3,768 — 70,941 66,411 4,530 74,0001946 148,700 112,000 104,200 93,618 4 79,000 4,883 4 5,195 4 5,500 — 78,300 73,400 4,883 4 80,0001947 159,000 123,100 118,900 107,462 4 92,100 5,113 4 4,809 4 5,440 4 — 91,700 86,600 5,113 4 91,5001948 176,400 135,500 131,400 118,458 4 101,900 5,539 4 4,469 4 6,550 4 — 101,600 96,100 5,539 4 105,0001949 171,100 134,800 130,300 117,780 4 99,600 5,133 4 5,707 4 7,340 4 — 99,000 93,900 5,133 4 103,000

1950 185,700 147,000 141,700 128,900 109,400 5,327 4 6,068 4 8,000 — 108,400 103,100 5,327 4 113,5001951 214,500 171,300 162,300 152,576 4 131,200 6,101 4 6,395 4 8,900 16,300 123,800 118,700 6,101 4 131,5001952 228,700 185,400 174,600 164,734 4 135,200 6,185 4 6,929 4 9,820 4 16,300 134,700 127,800 6,900 141,5001953 240,400 198,600 188,000 177,447 4 154,000 6,147 4 6,950 4 10,670 4 16,900 145,300 139,200 6,147 4 153,5001954 238,000 196,800 186,500 176,660 4 153,200 5,630 4 6,980 4 11,650 4 16,700 142,700 137,100 5,630 4 153,000

1955 254,500 211,700 201,500 193,291 4 169,400 5,801 4 8,290 4 12,400 24,400 154,400 148,600 5,801 4 168,0001956 272,300 228,200 218,300 210,700 186,200 6,206 4 9,560 4 13,700 28,100 170,700 164,500 6,206 4 181,5001957 284,500 239,300 229,100 227,893 4 203,100 6,177 4 10,116 4 15,500 28,200 179,800 173,600 6,177 4 190,0001958 288,200 240,500 230,200 229,624 4 205,600 5,722 4 11,102 4 17,000 28,300 177,100 171,400 5,722 4 192,0001959 306,600 258,900 247,000 246,957 4 222,500 5,751 4 11,406 4 18,600 29,700 192,700 186,900 5,751 4 209,000

1960 319,100 271,900 261,500 260,600 234,300 5,648 4 11,952 4 20,300 29,100 200,600 195,000 5,648 4 220,0001961 328,000 279,500 268,900 266,872 4 238,800 5,345 4 13,227 4 22,200 29,900 204,300 199,000 5,345 4 226,5001962 357,900 298,000 286,800 284,838 4 255,700 5,381 4 13,557 4 24,100 31,300 218,000 212,600 5,381 4 241,0001963 363,900 313,400 301,900 298,770 4 268,200 5,350 4 14,620 4 26,100 31,600 228,400 223,000 5,350 4 254,0001964 388,600 336,100 323,700 321,135 4 288,400 5,446 4 15,789 4 28,500 33,500 244,600 239,200 5,446 4 272,000

1965 418,900 362,000 349,100 342,944 4 308,600 5,590 4 16,254 4 31,300 40,200 263,500 257,900 5,590 4 292,0001966 458,900 398,400 382,300 382,200 344,200 5,676 4 17,640 4 34,700 43,900 289,600 283,900 5,676 4 321,0001967 488,200 427,000 409,900 411,300 374,700 5,734 4 19,105 4 39,200 44,700 307,700 302,000 5,734 4 342,0001968 533,600 470,000 450,700 451,800 410,500 5,878 4 21,537 4 42,700 46,300 337,200 331,300 5,878 4 376,0001969 582,700 515,700 496,000 495,900 452,500 6,092 4 23,127 4 47,000 46,900 371,800 365,700 6,092 4 414,000

1970 614,900 548,700 528,000 528,300 480,000 6,281 4 26,335 4 53,100 47,900 389,000 382,700 6,281 4 441,0001971 650,300 580,900 560,200 555,300 505,200 6,600 27,800 57,400 50,600 417,800 411,200 6,600 469,0001972 712,000 635,200 613,500 615,600 559,100 7,200 29,800 66,100 54,500 499,500 492,300 7,200 512,0001973 796,500 702,700 680,500 682,200 619,800 7,900 31,700 74,000 62,800 558,800 550,900 7,900 578,0001974 854,500 765,700 742,900 744,900 678,100 8,400 34,300 81,000 65,600 621,500 613,100 8,400 637,000

1975 896,400 806,400 783,300 783,200 717,200 8,300 36,800 86,800 70,400 693,800 685,500 8,300 678,0001976 984,000 889,900 866,400 869,000 797,900 9,300 38,600 98,900 76,800 768,400 759,100 9,300 750,0001977 1,087,300 983,800 959,500 966,700 887,500 10,000 41,600 105,500 80,600 853,500 843,500 10,000 827,0001978 1,222,300 1,105,100 1,078,400 1,079,900 999,800 10,900 44,700 112,200 88,100 1,055,400 1,044,500 10,900 922,0001979 1,369,700 1,237,600 1,210,600 1,207,100 1,117,900 12,500 48,300 118,500 99,800 1,187,800 1,175,300 12,500 1,041,000

1980 1,552,700 1,372,000 1,342,300 1,318,100 1,229,200 13,100 52,300 122,900 97,700 1,308,800 1,290,000 13,100 1,136,0001981 1,697,200 1,510,400 1,475,300 1,444,700 1,347,600 13,400 56,300 135,200 98,900 1,432,600 1,419,500 13,400 1,247,0001982 1,716,600 1,586,100 1,546,300 1,529,300 1,423,300 12,700 59,100 142,600 98,600 1,500,100 1,487,400 12,700 1,301,0001983 1,867,100 1,676,200 1,633,900 1,613,600 1,502,100 12,500 62,200 153,500 109,300 1,583,200 1,570,700 12,500 1,382,0001984 2,073,300 1,838,800 1,793,800 1,774,800 1,665,000 13,200 64,800 162,300 117,200 1,739,200 1,726,000 13,200 1,516,000



TABLE Bf271–283 Employment covered under selected government social insurance programs – estimated payrolls:1937–1996 Continued

Wage andsalary Wages and salaries in employment Wages and salaries in civilian employment

disbursements covered by retirement programs covered by other programs

Unemployment insurance

Net earningsTotal earnings of self-in employment, Federal State and employedincluding self- civil local covered by State Workers’employment Total Civilian Total OASDHI Railroad service government OASDHI Total programs Railroad compensation

Bf271 Bf272 Bf273 Bf274 1, 2 Bf275 3 Bf276 3 Bf277 Bf278 Bf279 Bf280 Bf281 Bf282 3 Bf283


1985 2,231,300 1,975,400 1,927,500 1,896,100 1,782,300 12,800 70,100 175,300 130,000 1,870,000 1,857,200 12,800 1,618,0001986 2,376,800 2,094,800 2,044,800 2,011,200 1,896,200 12,200 72,400 189,900 139,000 1,982,900 1,970,700 12,200 1,725,0001987 2,573,100 2,249,700 2,197,500 2,157,500 2,042,000 11,900 74,200 203,000 155,800 2,045,500 2,033,600 11,900 1,845,0001988 2,767,300 2,443,000 2,389,800 2,342,600 2,224,700 12,000 79,600 218,800 208,100 2,205,100 2,193,100 12,000 1,997,4001989 2,933,700 2,586,400 2,531,400 2,492,700 2,367,800 12,100 83,400 235,000 210,000 2,336,200 2,324,100 12,100 2,115,000

1990 3,109,700 2,742,800 2,685,300 2,636,400 2,510,000 11,800 87,600 238,800 193,800 2,491,600 2,479,800 11,800 2,442,0001991 3,190,500 2,827,600 2,765,900 2,694,700 2,565,000 12,000 92,300 271,400 195,500 2,548,900 2,536,900 12,000 2,552,9001992 3,410,200 2,986,400 2,925,400 2,850,700 2,711,000 12,700 98,000 296,300 205,800 2,697,300 2,684,600 12,700 2,699,6001993 3,540,400 3,089,600 3,031,400 2,964,600 2,821,000 12,400 100,800 307,000 212,000 2,797,900 2,785,500 12,400 2,802,1001994 3,712,300 3,240,700 3,185,800 3,102,100 2,954,000 12,500 102,900 320,300 221,500 2,946,200 2,933,700 12,500 2,948,700

1995 3,918,500 3,429,500 3,373,300 3,294,000 3,140,000 12,600 104,300 341,400 234,900 3,129,200 3,116,600 12,600 3,122,6001996 4,152,800 3,632,500 3,576,000 3,489,400 3,328,000 12,800 107,200 364,500 254,200 3,327,400 3,314,600 12,800 —

1 Beginning in 1953, data are adjusted for duplication of payrolls covered by bothOld-Age, Survivors, Disability, and Health Insurance (OASDHI) and state and localgovernment retirement systems. Beginning in 1984, data are adjusted for duplica-tion of payrolls covered by both OASDHI and the federal civil service retirementsystem.

2 Beginning in 1975, OASDHI estimates include a small amount of taxable wages inAmerican business in U.S. territories and possessions.

3 Beginning in 1957, includes military wages. Beginning in 1975, includes a smallamount of taxable wages on American business in U.S. territories and possessions.

4 Revised from original source.

Sources1937–1939, unpublished data from U.S. Social Security Administration;1940–1945, U.S. Social Security Bulletin, Annual Statistical Supplement, 1971,Table 6; 1946 to present, U.S. Social Security Bulletin, Annual Statistical Sup-plement, 1999, Table 3.B2, p. 141.

DocumentationThis table reports data for total earnings and total wages and salaries in em-ployment covered by various government social insurance programs. Total

earnings include the earnings of people who are self-employed. For stateunemployment insurance, OASDHI, railroad retirement, and railroad unem-ployment insurance, data include taxable plus nontaxable wages and salariesin employment covered by the programs.

The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (formerly Office of Business Eco-nomics) is the original source for total earnings and wage and salary dis-bursements, series Bf271–273. The U.S. Social Security Administration is theoriginal source for payrolls covered by state and local government retire-ment systems and by workers’ compensation, series Bf278 and Bf283. Datafor series Bf274–277 and Bf279–282 are based on reports of the agenciesadministering the programs specified.

Series Bf283. Data for payrolls in employment covered by workers’ compen-sation programs exclude railroad employees because accident compensationfor railroad employees is based on negligence liability rules under the federalEmployers’ Liability Act of 1908 and amendments.


TABLE Bf284–289 Employment covered under government social insuranceprograms – number of workers: 1934–1989


Civilian population covered by public Civilian population covered by other socialretirement programs insurance programs

PublicRailroad employee Temporary

Retirement retirement Workers’ Unemployment disabilityOASDHI System systems compensation insurance insurance

Bf284 Bf285 Bf286 Bf287 Bf288 Bf289

Year Million Million Million Million Million Million

1934 — 1.4 17.0 — — —1939 24.0 1.2 2.0 22.0 22.6 —

1944 30.8 1.7 4.7 33.0 31.6 0.21949 34.3 1.4 4.4 35.3 33.1 5.31954 45.3 1.2 4.6 40.4 37.2 10.7

1955 51.8 1.3 4.7 42.9 41.7 11.21956 53.2 1.2 4.5 44.1 43.8 11.51957 53.7 1.1 3.9 43.1 43.2 11.21958 53.4 1.0 3.9 42.7 42.6 11.01959 55.4 0.9 3.8 45.1 44.1 11.4

1960 55.7 0.9 3.9 44.6 43.7 11.31961 56.1 0.8 4.0 46.0 44.6 11.81962 57.3 0.8 4.0 46.8 45.4 12.31963 58.5 0.8 3.7 48.2 46.3 12.51964 60.1 0.8 3.9 50.0 47.9 12.7

1965 62.8 0.8 4.1 52.5 50.3 13.31966 64.9 0.7 4.6 55.1 52.8 13.71967 65.7 0.7 4.6 56.3 53.8 14.01968 67.1 0.7 4.6 58.3 55.5 14.21969 68.6 0.7 3.9 60.1 57.0 14.8

1970 69.1 0.6 5.5 59.0 55.8 14.61971 69.8 0.6 5.2 60.5 57.1 14.81972 72.6 0.6 5.2 63.7 66.0 16.01973 75.6 0.6 5.3 68.0 69.0 16.01974 75.2 0.6 5.3 67.8 69.5 15.7

1975 75.7 0.5 6.0 68.6 69.7 15.71976 80.3 0.5 6.1 70.4 72.1 16.21977 82.1 0.5 6.2 74.2 75.8 16.71978 83.2 0.5 6.4 74.5 85.8 18.01979 87.6 0.5 6.4 77.4 87.9 18.1

1980 89.3 0.5 6.6 79.1 90.4 18.41981 89.5 0.5 6.4 79.8 89.9 18.41982 88.9 0.4 6.4 77.8 87.9 18.11983 92.7 0.4 6.4 80.9 91.3 18.71984 98.0 0.4 6.0 83.4 95.8 18.9

1985 100.3 0.3 6.0 85.1 98.2 19.81986 102.9 0.3 5.9 87.2 100.2 20.31987 106.0 0.3 5.9 90.0 103.7 21.61988 108.4 0.3 5.8 92.8 106.9 21.81989 110.3 0.3 5.8 95.3 109.1 —

SourcesU.S. Social Security Administration, 1934, unpublished data; 1939–1989,Social Security Bulletin, Annual Statistical Supplement. 1985–1989 from 1990 vol-ume, 1984 from 1989 volume, 1983 from 1986 volume, 1979–1982 from1984–1985 volume, 1977–1978 from 1983 volume, 1970, 1975–1976 from1982 volume, 1971–1974 from 1974 volume, 1968–1969 from 1972 vol-ume, 1967, 1965, 1964 from 1971 volume. Earlier figures were collectedfrom earlier volumes for the 1975 edition of Historical Statistics of the UnitedStates.

DocumentationFor further information, see also the text for Tables Bf212–224, Bf271–283,and Bf377–394. More details on these programs can be found in TablesBf326–348, Bf377–496, Bf511–567, and Bf735–761. The U.S. Social Secu-rity Administration stopped reporting this table in the Annual Statistical Sup-plement after the 1990 issue.

All series are as of December for the period 1954 to 1989. Monthly av-erages are reported prior to 1954. Monthly averages for 1954 are 45.3 for

Old-Age, Survivors, Disability, and Health Insurance (OASDHI), 1.2 for rail-road, 4.5 for public employees retirement, 39.7 for workers’ compensation,36.6 for unemployment insurance, and 10.6 for temporary disability.

Series Bf284. Beginning in 1955, includes persons covered under both agovernment retirement system and OASDHI (about 5.3 million in December1970). Excludes members of the armed forces and persons whose coveragewas authorized on an elective or optional basis but not in effect (about 3.5million in December 1970). Also excludes railroad employees jointly coveredby OASDHI and their own retirement program.

Series Bf286, public employee retirement. Excludes persons covered underboth a government retirement system and OASDHI.

Series Bf288, unemployment insurance. Includes state, railroad, and fed-eral employee programs.

Series Bf289, temporary disability insurance. Includes state and railroadprograms, but excludes government employees covered by sick-leave provi-sions.


TABLE Bf290–325 Social insurance and veterans’ programs – cash benefits: 1940–1988Contributed by Price V. Fishback and Melissa A. Thomasson

Retirement programs Disability programs

Public employees

State and Workers’Total Total OASDHI Railroad Federal local Veterans Total OASDHI compensation Veterans Railroad


Million Million Million Million Million Million Million Million Million Million Million MillionYear dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars

1940 1,540.3 330.8 17.2 83.3 103.2 103.0 24.1 476.5 0.0 129.0 293.7 30.81941 1,418.2 325.7 55.1 88.4 50.9 106.8 24.4 501.1 0.0 149.0 296.1 31.51942 1,499.8 369.4 80.3 91.6 53.2 115.4 29.0 523.8 0.0 170.0 296.3 31.21943 1,370.6 459.1 97.3 94.6 109.7 124.9 32.6 543.2 0.0 182.0 298.7 31.21944 1,629.9 523.1 119.0 98.7 121.7 134.5 49.3 700.9 0.0 227.0 407.0 31.0

1945 2,604.1 591.7 148.1 106.2 141.0 143.0 53.4 954.4 0.0 241.0 644.5 30.91946 5,768.9 748.7 230.3 117.8 112.8 158.0 57.4 1,536.8 0.0 251.0 1,211.6 31.41947 5,409.3 899.6 299.8 138.5 231.9 175.0 54.2 2,021.5 0.0 281.0 1,621.7 38.51948 5,298.7 1,048.9 366.9 150.1 277.7 190.0 64.2 2,135.3 0.0 312.0 1,647.0 58.51949 6,578.5 1,242.9 454.5 168.9 354.8 203.0 61.7 2,181.9 0.0 333.0 1,630.5 72.0

1950 6,321.5 1,423.5 651.4 176.9 286.9 250.0 58.2 2,441.9 0.0 360.0 1,674.0 77.31951 6,834.4 2,189.3 1,321.1 187.1 345.9 273.0 62.4 2,487.3 0.0 416.0 1,585.6 81.61952 7,734.3 2,574.0 1,539.3 267.3 370.2 310.0 87.2 2,632.1 0.0 460.0 1,635.0 93.91953 8,937.6 3,300.2 2,175.3 267.3 413.9 343.0 86.3 2,850.8 0.0 491.0 1,754.2 92.51954 11,136.1 3,953.8 2,698.0 324.9 466.9 385.0 79.1 2,975.6 0.0 498.0 1,842.3 104.0

1955 12,166.8 5,157.4 3,747.7 335.9 538.0 460.0 75.8 3,185.2 0.0 521.0 1,981.8 103.11956 13,294.6 5,964.9 4,361.2 379.8 628.0 525.0 71.1 3,344.2 0.0 578.0 2,030.7 110.71957 15,848.9 7,503.1 5,687.8 420.2 725.1 606.0 64.1 3,590.9 56.7 617.0 2,116.4 118.31958 19,946.6 8,516.5 6,476.7 449.4 848.9 685.0 56.5 4,083.4 246.2 647.0 2,325.7 121.31959 20,862.8 9,910.5 7,607.0 523.1 965.7 765.0 49.7 4,527.9 456.7 700.0 2,424.7 66.2

1960 22,610.1 10,754.6 8,196.1 594.4 1,076.4 845.0 42.7 4,859.6 568.2 755.0 2,529.7 146.71961 26,101.4 11,868.2 9,031.9 617.5 1,241.4 940.0 37.4 5,402.2 887.1 791.0 2,646.8 150.51962 27,050.8 13,138.8 10,161.9 638.4 1,295.8 1,011.1 31.7 5,851.3 1,105.1 879.0 2,724.3 156.11963 28,723.4 14,238.0 10,794.6 653.7 1,627.8 1,135.0 26.9 6,187.3 1,210.2 932.0 2,819.1 159.01964 29,973.3 15,122.2 11,281.5 667.5 1,891.0 1,260.0 22.3 6,466.1 1,308.8 1,001.0 2,846.0 161.7

1965 32,571.5 16,786.8 12,541.5 705.3 2,130.0 1,390.0 19.9 7,041.0 1,573.2 1,074.0 3,026.4 149.41966 34,984.9 18,276.9 13,417.1 739.1 2,549.5 1,555.0 16.3 7,600.5 1,781.4 1,143.0 3,173.2 164.51967 37,727.6 19,823.2 14,361.5 817.3 2,896.2 1,735.0 13.3 8,041.9 1,938.9 1,284.0 3,197.9 171.61968 42,483.3 22,726.1 16,533.5 936.5 3,285.1 1,960.0 11.0 8,725.0 2,294.3 1,374.0 3,264.7 187.51969 46,227.6 24,709.6 1,769.1 965.5 3,787.3 2,250.0 8.8 9,775.6 2,542.2 1,519.0 3,706.2 193.0

1970 55,609.4 29,401.5 21,075.2 1,112.9 4,549.5 2,660.0 4.0 11,000.8 3,067.0 1,674.0 3,930.9 219.31971 65,679.2 34,338.7 24,540.2 1,272.7 5,377.7 3,145.0 3.1 12,557.5 3,758.2 1,846.0 4,252.6 253.01972 72,781.4 38,797.2 27,383.8 1,372.2 6,268.8 3,770.0 2.3 14,029.1 4,473.2 2,009.0 4,497.6 288.51973 84,670.2 46,472.4 33,084.6 1,539.3 7,426.8 4,415.0 1.7 16,371.4 5,718.0 2,312.0 4,618.3 368.11974 98,646.7 1 53,593.5 37,451.9 1,679.9 9,265.5 5,195.0 1.2 18,849.5 1 6,902.9 2,701.0 5,133.4 403.9

1975 123,235.2 61,543.3 42,432.0 1,965.7 11,299.7 5,845.0 0.8 21,883.5 8,413.9 3,248.0 5,583.2 403.01976 135,288.6 69,662.4 48,069.0 2,147.1 12,760.8 6,685.0 0.6 25,037.8 9,965.7 3,809.0 6,147.4 420.81977 145,450.6 1 77,683.9 1 53,591.0 2,297.5 14,145.1 7,650.0 0.3 28,208.4 1 11,462.6 4,495.0 6,708.9 455.21978 155,286.3 86,755.7 59,818.3 2,417.1 15,884.3 8,636.0 — 30,808.2 12,518.9 5,217.0 7,009.5 471.91979 174,214.7 1 97,465.5 66,947.0 2,627.6 18,124.9 9,766.0 — 34,858.9 13,708.0 6,199.0 7,905.3 510.8

1980 207,796.8 113,252.0 77,905.0 2,930.6 21,624.1 10,792.3 — 39,659.4 15,437.0 7,245.0 8,602.2 564.41981 231,599.4 132,518.1 92,478.0 3,234.2 24,677.3 12,128.6 — 44,332.0 17,199.0 8,166.0 9,524.4 610.11982 261,158.7 149,074.7 104,885.0 3,530.6 27,157.3 13,501.8 — 46,610.7 17,338.0 8,909.0 10,203.2 668.31983 275,108.1 161,326.8 114,048.0 3,698.1 28,856.7 14,724.0 — 48,063.0 17,530.0 9,519.0 10,488.6 673.81984 282,978.9 173,419.4 123,804.2 3,761.6 29,716.6 16,137.0 — 50,133.3 17,897.1 10,852.0 10,577.7 681.1

1985 301,528.6 187,531.6 132,298.0 3,862.1 32,188.5 19,183.0 — 52,129.1 18,645.7 12,646.4 10,748.0 696.31986 316,272.1 1 198,226.7 140,418.2 3,942.8 32,258.7 21,607.0 — 55,155.6 19,524.5 13,333.0 10,886.1 705.81987 328,642.0 209,074.6 146,836.1 4,060.5 33,640.0 24,538.0 — 57,770.6 20,413.6 14,179.3 11,209.8 738.41988 345,022.7 223,530.0 156,695.7 4,192.8 36,020.4 26,621.1 — 60,309.2 21,386.1 15,737.8 11,346.9 776.5



TABLE Bf290–325 Social insurance and veterans’ programs – cash benefits: 1940–1988 Continued

Disability programs Survivor programs (paid monthly)

Public employees Public employeesStatetemporary Railroad

State and disability temporary State and Workers’Federal local insurance disability Black lung Total OASDHI Railroad Federal local Veterans compensation Black lung

Bf302 Bf303 Bf304 Bf305 Bf306 Bf307 Bf308 Bf309 Bf310 Bf311 Bf312 Bf313 Bf314


1940 13.0 10.0 0.0 0.0 — 161.5 6.4 1.4 — 16.0 105.7 32.0 —1941 14.0 10.5 0.0 0.0 — 192.3 25.5 1.6 (Z) 16.5 111.8 37.0 —1942 14.9 11.4 0.0 0.0 — 214.2 41.7 1.6 (Z) 17.7 111.2 42.0 —1943 16.2 12.2 2.9 0.0 — 239.0 57.8 1.7 (Z) 18.4 116.1 45.0 —1944 17.3 13.5 5.0 0.0 — 282.1 76.9 1.8 (Z) 19.0 144.3 40.0 —

1945 18.9 14.5 4.7 0.0 — 417.8 99.7 2.0 0.1 20.0 254.2 42.0 —1946 22.0 16.0 4.8 0.0 — 530.8 130.1 1.8 0.2 21.0 333.6 44.0 —1947 24.8 18.0 26.0 11.4 — 623.1 153.1 19.3 0.2 22.0 382.5 46.0 —1948 31.4 20.0 35.6 30.8 — 700.6 176.7 36.0 0.9 23.0 413.9 50.0 —1949 35.3 22.0 59.1 30.1 — 799.3 201.4 39.3 4.3 25.0 477.4 52.0 —

1950 189.3 24.0 89.3 28.1 — 901.8 276.9 43.9 8.4 26.0 491.6 55.0 —1951 201.9 28.0 147.8 26.3 — 1,178.7 506.8 49.5 14.0 29.0 519.4 60.0 —1952 211.0 30.0 167.7 34.7 — 1,353.6 591.5 74.1 20.0 30.0 573.0 65.0 —1953 248.0 35.0 185.0 45.2 — 1,569.7 743.5 83.3 27.3 32.0 613.5 70.0 —1954 256.0 45.0 186.0 49.2 — 1,740.8 880.0 93.2 33.9 35.0 628.8 70.0 —

1955 279.7 55.0 192.7 52.0 — 2,068.4 1,107.5 121.8 40.6 40.0 688.4 70.0 —1956 297.8 62.0 215.5 49.5 — 2,247.8 1,244.1 133.2 51.3 45.0 699.2 75.0 —1957 309.2 68.0 254.0 51.3 — 2,604.8 1,520.7 143.8 60.6 51.0 748.7 80.0 —1958 343.1 75.0 273.1 51.9 — 2,891.1 1,720.1 153.9 75.7 57.0 794.3 90.0 —1959 374.1 85.0 287.1 66.2 — 3,322.3 2,063.3 180.9 97.1 62.0 819.1 100.0 —

1960 396.9 95.0 311.3 56.9 — 3,671.6 2,316.2 201.3 109.6 75.0 864.6 105.0 —1961 425.2 105.0 341.6 55.0 — 4,150.5 2,658.6 217.1 123.3 85.0 956.5 110.0 —1962 456.6 114.0 364.9 51.4 — 4,565.3 3,011.1 233.9 136.8 91.8 976.7 115.0 —1963 499.9 125.0 392.8 49.5 — 4,869.1 3,216.0 244.2 160.6 105.0 1,018.3 125.0 —1964 552.8 140.0 409.9 46.0 — 5,176.5 3,416.4 255.0 180.8 115.0 1,074.2 135.0 —

1965 596.3 155.0 426.0 40.8 — 5,871.5 3,979.0 278.4 199.4 125.0 1,149.7 140.0 —1966 681.7 175.0 442.8 38.8 — 6,620.4 4,612.8 291.4 242.3 140.0 1,184.0 150.0 —1967 747.5 195.0 472.5 34.6 — 7,014.8 4,854.0 307.6 288.0 165.0 1,245.2 155.0 —1968 812.5 220.0 530.9 41.0 — 8,192.3 5,839.5 350.6 321.8 175.0 1,340.3 165.0 —1969 904.9 255.0 598.0 57.4 — 8,774.1 6,219.3 367.0 368.6 195.0 1,439.2 185.0 —

1970 1,056.8 255.0 664.6 56.2 77.0 10,271.5 7,427.6 424.0 444.7 200.0 1,545.2 197.0 33.01971 1,210.7 280.0 680.0 44.7 232.0 11,815.9 8,566.7 476.8 513.9 220.0 1,678.8 213.0 146.71972 1,372.4 315.0 707.8 35.7 330.0 13,069.8 9,418.2 514.3 587.1 250.0 1,840.2 235.0 225.01973 1,536.7 365.0 775.3 27.9 650.0 16,429.2 12,327.8 657.7 675.1 290.0 1,818.5 265.0 395.01974 1,810.8 425.0 842.3 30.2 600.0 18,349.0 13,839.3 723.9 841.1 340.0 1,934.7 315.0 355.0

1975 2,212.3 490.0 890.4 47.6 595.0 20,716.1 15,544.0 914.0 1,058.9 390.0 2,084.1 365.0 360.01976 2,535.9 565.0 916.7 84.4 593.0 23,052.7 17,297.5 1,002.5 1,226.4 450.0 2,261.3 430.0 385.01977 2,869.6 630.0 939.9 74.2 573.0 25,367.0 1 19,210.3 1,071.1 1,392.1 450.0 2,368.5 482.0 393.01978 3,192.5 712.0 1,027.5 66.9 591.0 26,878.3 20,193.5 1,132.3 1,602.7 508.0 2,481.7 531.0 429.01979 3,571.9 804.0 1,161.0 60.9 1,033.0 30,722.0 1 23,140.0 1,223.7 1,858.8 575.0 2,649.5 610.0 665.0

1980 4,160.1 1,210.7 1,299.8 63.2 1,077.0 34,986.0 26,654.0 1,371.6 2,231.6 663.9 2,754.9 675.0 635.01981 4,728.8 1,490.2 1,525.1 58.4 1,030.0 40,136.7 30,875.0 1,527.1 2,615.0 767.3 2,952.3 730.0 670.01982 5,141.8 1,811.0 1,567.9 55.6 916.0 43,631.6 33,612.0 1,644.1 2,905.4 857.0 3,113.1 795.0 705.01983 5,364.4 1,987.0 1,580.2 50.1 870.0 45,615.1 35,164.0 1,671.3 3,174.9 903.0 3,191.9 810.0 700.01984 5,498.0 2,178.0 1,584.1 42.0 823.0 44,971.1 33,916.6 1,678.6 3,565.8 990.0 3,230.1 880.0 710.0

1985 4,862.5 1,848.0 1,843.5 42.6 796.0 46,289.2 34,806.9 1,702.3 3,792.5 968.0 3,309.5 980.0 730.01986 5,913.1 1,833.0 2,067.3 57.8 838.0 45,667.8 33,785.4 1,722.0 3,983.6 1,002.0 3,374.8 1,032.0 768.01987 5,995.9 1,807.0 2,545.4 72.4 808.8 47,068.2 35,028.7 1,736.9 4,324.7 1,041.0 3,123.0 1,067.3 746.61988 5,494.9 1,960.9 2,753.6 63.7 788.8 48,601.9 35,663.8 1,762.5 4,634.6 1,129.0 3,499.3 1,184.6 728.1



TABLE Bf290–325 Social insurance and veterans’ programs – cash benefits: 1940–1988 ContinuedLump-sum payments Unemployment programs

Public employeeretirement State Railroad Veterans’ Training and

Railroad State and Veterans’ unemployment unemployment unemployment relatedTotal OASDHI retirement Federal Local programs Total insurance insurance allowances allowances

Bf315 Bf316 Bf317 Bf318 Bf319 Bf320 Bf321 Bf322 Bf323 Bf324 Bf325

Million Million Million Million Million Million Million Million Million Million MillionYear dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars

1940 36.8 11.8 2.5 6.0 12.5 4.0 534.7 518.7 16.0 — —1941 40.3 13.3 3.4 6.2 13.0 4.4 358.9 344.3 14.5 — —1942 42.0 15.0 4.1 6.3 12.6 4.1 350.4 344.1 6.3 — —1943 48.7 17.8 5.6 7.6 13.4 4.4 80.6 79.6 0.9 — —1944 56.7 22.1 6.6 8.2 15.0 4.8 67.1 62.4 0.6 4.1 —

1945 65.3 26.1 8.1 10.5 15.5 5.0 574.9 445.9 2.4 126.6 —1946 74.2 27.3 9.1 14.3 16.0 7.5 2,626.1 1,094.9 40.0 1,491.3 —1947 79.0 29.5 6.1 14.1 16.0 13.3 1,587.9 776.2 39.4 772.4 —1948 81.8 32.3 8.9 11.2 17.0 12.4 1,248.4 793.3 28.6 426.6 —1949 83.3 33.2 11.5 8.2 18.0 12.4 2,227.5 1,737.3 103.6 386.6 —

1950 86.7 32.7 12.7 8.5 20.0 12.7 1,467.6 1,373.1 59.8 34.7 —1951 116.1 57.3 12.7 8.2 25.0 12.9 862.8 840.4 20.2 2.1 —1952 131.0 63.3 13.7 8.8 30.0 15.1 1,043.6 988.2 41.8 3.5 —1953 166.3 87.5 18.4 9.4 35.0 16.1 1,050.6 962.2 46.7 41.7 —1954 174.3 92.2 16.3 10.0 40.0 16.2 2,291.6 2,026.9 157.1 107.7 —

1955 195.6 112.9 16.1 9.8 40.0 16.8 1,560.2 1,379.2 93.3 87.7 —1956 197.1 109.3 14.5 10.7 45.0 17.5 1,540.7 1,409.3 70.4 60.9 —1957 237.0 138.8 16.4 11.5 50.0 20.2 1,913.1 1,766.4 93.5 53.1 —1958 245.5 132.9 19.9 13.0 55.0 24.7 4,210.1 3,899.2 228.8 82.0 —1959 297.0 171.3 17.8 12.2 58.0 37.7 2,805.0 2,563.1 224.5 17.4 —

1960 299.5 1 164.3 20.0 12.7 63.0 39.5 3,024.7 2,866.7 157.7 0.4 —1961 322.4 171.1 20.6 14.9 73.0 42.8 4,358.2 4,156.3 201.9 — 20.01962 346.5 183.4 22.0 16.9 80.0 44.1 3,149.0 3,012.6 132.7 — 3.71963 381.3 205.9 24.1 15.7 85.0 50.7 3,047.6 2,926.5 99.4 — 21.61964 407.5 216.4 24.4 18.1 95.0 53.6 2,801.0 2,670.8 78.4 — 51.8

1965 420.5 216.9 22.2 19.6 105.0 56.8 2,451.6 2,283.4 60.5 — 107.61966 456.6 237.1 25.2 20.3 115.0 59.0 2,030.6 1,852.2 39.3 — 139.11967 483.9 252.2 24.3 20.1 125.0 62.4 2,363.9 2,183.4 40.6 — 139.81968 512.3 269.2 23.6 22.0 130.0 67.5 2,327.7 2,151.3 40.4 — 136.01969 545.2 291.2 26.2 23.9 135.0 68.9 2,423.0 2,261.6 37.0 — 124.4

1970 582.2 293.6 26.4 24.2 165.0 73.0 4,353.3 4,183.7 38.7 — 130.91971 604.2 305.6 26.5 24.5 175.0 72.5 6,362.9 6,130.8 75.7 — 156.41972 645.7 319.8 30.5 20.0 200.0 75.4 6,239.6 6,043.2 51.5 — 144.91973 700.7 328.8 27.5 21.1 240.0 83.3 4,696.5 4,542.7 30.6 — 123.11974 779.0 327.3 28.2 23.4 275.0 125.2 7,075.7 6,943.7 22.2 — 109.8

1975 807.8 337.0 25.0 21.4 300.0 124.4 18,284.6 18,188.1 89.5 — 7.01976 863.7 332.5 23.6 22.5 350.0 135.2 16,672.0 16,537.2 134.7 — —1977 753.6 312.0 18.6 22.0 270.0 131.0 13,437.6 13,337.8 99.8 — —1978 828.8 344.5 16.3 29.4 304.0 134.6 10,015.3 9,890.8 124.5 — —1979 873.8 340.0 15.4 22.5 345.0 150.8 10,294.5 10,212.0 82.5 — —

1980 963.6 395.0 13.6 25.7 351.6 177.7 18,935.9 18,756.5 179.4 — —1981 862.0 332.0 13.0 44.8 368.9 103.3 13,750.6 13,542.8 207.8 — —1982 770.0 203.0 11.0 40.2 397.7 118.2 21,071.7 20,733.0 338.7 — —1983 822.5 205.0 10.7 39.2 452.0 115.6 19,280.7 1 18,992.1 288.6 — —1984 811.6 140.0 10.5 43.2 495.0 122.9 13,643.5 13,495.5 148.0 — —

1985 817.8 142.9 9.3 39.5 502.0 124.1 14,760.9 14,629.2 131.7 — —1986 1,105.7 136.2 9.6 62.2 778.0 119.7 16,116.3 1 15,988.0 128.3 — —1987 337.8 2 138.0 9.3 56.2 — 134.3 14,390.8 14,276.2 114.6 — —1988 352.1 142.1 7.7 68.7 — 133.6 12,229.5 12,158.7 70.8 — —

(Z) Less than $50,000.1 Revised from the original source.2 The sharp drop relative to previous years is the result of the unavailability of series

Bf319.SourcesU.S. Social Security Administration, Social Security Bulletin, Annual Statis-tical Supplement, For the years 1985–1988: 1990, pp. 106–7; for 1970,1980, 1983–1985: 1987, pp. 256–7; for 1982: 1986, pp. 252–3; for 1981:

1984–1985, pp. 223–4; for 1975, 1978, 1979: 1982, pp. 220–1; for 1977:1981, pp. 66–7; for 1976: 1980, pp. 67–8; for 1973–1974: 1975, p. 50; for1972: 1974, p. 47; for 1971: 1973, pp. 43–4; for 1940, 1950, 1955, 1960,1965, 1970–1972: 1973, p. 43; for 1969: 1970, p. 29; for 1966, 1967: 1968,p. 28; for 1962–1964: 1965, p. 6; for 1961: 1964, p. 6; for 1958–1959: 1962,p. 6; for 1956–1957: 1960, p. 6; for 1951–1954: 1957, p. 14; for 1944–1949:1952, p. 27; for 1943: 1946, p. 3; for 1942: 1945, p. 18; for 1941: 1944,p. 23.



The U.S. Social Security Administration stopped publishing the data forTables Bf290–348 in the Annual Statistical Supplement after the 1990 issue. Morerecent data at higher levels of aggregation are published in the quarterly SocialSecurity Bulletin, Tables 4.A1 and 4.A2. The data are reported through 1997at a more aggregate level in Tables Bf349–376. Most of the data are derivedfrom operating statistics of the administering agencies.

DocumentationTables Bf290–348 are usually published in combination. The following dis-cussion pertains to both tables where appropriate.

Revisions of the series that are sums of several series were made whenthere were significant discrepancies with the published numbers for thoseaggregates and after double-checking the original source and earlier pub-lished versions of the series involved.

Beneficiary data for workmen’s compensation are not available.

Series Bf290. The sum of series Bf291, Bf297, Bf307, Bf315, and Bf321. Dif-fers from the total listed in series H125 of Historical Statistics of the United States(1975) because lump-sum payments have been included. The majority of so-cial insurance programs make a stream of payments to recipients over time,which are reported as monthly cash payments. In some cases, the programspay lump sums to beneficiaries, which are listed in series Bf315–320.


Series Bf291–306. Retirement and disability benefits series include benefitsto spouses and children where applicable.

Series Bf294–295, Bf302–303, Bf310–311, and Bf318–319. The publicemployee benefits series include refunds of contributions to employees wholeave service.

Series Bf294, Bf302, Bf310, Bf318, Bf328, Bf334, and Bf341. Series forthe federal government systems include federal civil service and other con-tributory systems and federal noncontributory systems. Prior to 1954, retire-ment data, series Bf294 and Bf328, include unknown amounts and numbersof disability and survivor payments. Beneficiaries of the military retirementprograms under the Uniformed Services Contingency Option Act of 1953included under the federal government survivorship retirement program, inseries Bf341, represent the number of families.

Series Bf296, Bf300, Bf312, Bf320, Bf330, Bf333, and Bf344. The veter-ans’ retirement series cover veterans of the Civil War, the Indian Wars, theSpanish-American War, the Boxer Rebellion, and the Philippine Insurrection.Beginning October 1951, they include all service pensions.

Series Bf296 and Bf330. Beginning in 1978, the retirement data for veteransare no longer available separately.


Series Bf299 and Bf313. For the basis of estimates of workers’ compen-sation payments, see the text for Table Bf511–524. Series Bf313 includes asmall but unknown amount of lump-sum death payments.

Series Bf300 and Bf332, veterans’ disability payments and beneficiaries.Covers pensions and compensation, clothing allowance (beginning 1973),and subsistence payments to disabled veterans undergoing training (1944–1973).

Series Bf303 and Bf329. Estimates of the operations of the state and localgovernment retirement programs prior to 1950 are based primarily on theBureau of the Census, Annual Compendium of State Government Finances andCompendium of City Government Finances. These present fiscal year data (whichwere averaged to secure calendar year figures) for state-administered andcity-administered systems. Data on county-administered systems (not re-

ported, and not many in that period) were estimated by the U.S. SocialSecurity Administration. After 1950 extensive use was made of the 1957,1962, and 1967 Census of Governments Reports, Employee-Retirement Systemsof State and Local Governments for benchmark purposes. Beginning 1959, datafrom the Census Bureau’s annual Finances of Employee-Retirement Systems ofState and Local Governments were used, with certain adjustments through theyear 1966 (no adjustments between 1967 and 1970). Two fiscal years areaveraged to approximate calendar year data.

Series Bf304 and Bf336, state temporary disability insurance. Covers cashbenefits payable in California, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, andPuerto Rico under public and private plans. The beneficiary data excludeprivate-plan beneficiaries in New Jersey. Beginning in 1980, includes data forHawai’i.


Series Bf312 and Bf343, veterans’ survivor payments and beneficiaries.Covers special allowances for survivors of veterans who did not qualify underOld-Age, Survivors, Disability, and Health Insurance (OASDHI; Servicemen’sand Veterans’ Survivor Benefit Act of 1956).


Series Bf320. The lump-sum veterans’ payments are for burial of deceasedveterans.


Series Bf322 and Bf345, state unemployment insurance. Covers paymentsmade by the states as agents of the federal government under the fed-eral employees’ unemployment compensation program and under the Ex-Servicemen’s Compensation Act of 1958 until 1981. Also covers paymentsunder extended unemployment insurance programs. Beginning in 1961, cov-ers program in Puerto Rico. Covers payments under the Automotive ProductsTrade Act of 1965 and the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, beginning in January1970.

Series Bf324 and Bf348. Veterans’ allowances are paid under the Service-men’s Readjustment Assistance Act of 1944 (terminated July 1949) and theVeterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1952 (terminated January 1960).Series Bf324 includes allowances for self-employed, but series Bf348 doesnot. For example, veterans’ allowances to the self-employed were as follows:in 1945, $11.67 million paid to 12,100 veterans (average monthly number);in 1950, $1.666 million paid to 1,500 veterans; and a negligible amountthereafter.

Series Bf325 and Bf348, training and related allowances. Fall under theArea Redevelopment Act of 1961 (November 1961–June 1966) and the Man-power Development and Training Act of 1962. The training allowances arebased on unemployment insurance in the state of training, and allowancesfor transportation and maintenance when training is away from home.

Series Bf326, Bf331, and Bf339. The information on beneficiaries forOASDHI is the average monthly number. The source for the 1985–1988figures claim it is the number on rolls June 30, but this appears to be amisprint.

Series Bf327–330, Bf332, Bf334–335, and Bf340–343. Number on rollsas of June 30.

Series Bf336, Bf345, and Bf347. Average weekly number.

Series Bf337 and Bf346. Average number during the fourteen-day registra-tion period.

Series Bf342. Number of families.


TABLE Bf326–348 Social insurance and veterans’ programs – beneficiaries: 1940–1988Contributed by Price V. Fishback and Melissa A. Thomasson

Retirement programs Disability programs

Public employees Public employees Statetemporary

State and State and disabilityOASDHI Railroad Federal local Veterans OASDHI Veterans Railroad Federal local insurance


Year Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand

1940 77.2 102.0 80.8 113.0 33.8 — 576.3 39.3 15.5 14.3 —1941 271.5 112.6 51.0 117.2 39.1 0.0 583.6 40.3 17.6 15.0 —1942 351.8 115.2 53.6 126.7 44.5 0.0 579.6 39.7 19.1 16.3 0.01943 406.3 119.4 56.2 136.0 49.5 0.0 599.1 39.6 20.5 17.6 4.11944 463.4 121.5 90.1 146.0 52.4 0.0 763.6 39.1 21.2 19.5 5.9

1945 591.8 129.1 101.1 155.0 60.4 0.0 1,083.7 39.0 23.7 21.0 5.41946 842.7 139.7 122.9 167.0 62.5 0.0 2,010.1 39.3 27.3 23.0 5.61947 1,068.1 147.1 147.1 180.0 61.6 0.0 2,283.7 51.2 31.6 25.0 23.01948 1,294.9 156.0 166.8 190.0 59.8 0.0 2,252.0 63.0 35.8 27.0 24.21949 1,574.6 164.3 206.9 200.0 57.4 0.0 2,260.0 70.0 39.7 29.0 28.0

1950 1,918.1 174.8 184.3 222.0 54.1 0.0 2,314.1 76.0 99.0 32.0 55.21951 2,756.8 182.0 122.4 230.0 57.3 0.0 2,319.1 79.1 106.9 35.0 71.31952 3,187.3 268.6 218.2 250.0 78.4 0.0 2,343.9 80.3 116.5 38.0 75.01953 3,888.7 288.5 231.6 270.0 71.8 0.0 2,437.0 81.9 130.2 42.0 83.41954 4,589.6 307.7 153.7 292.0 65.7 0.0 2,527.7 84.9 139.2 45.0 81.7

1955 5,443.2 329.2 271.1 335.0 59.8 0.0 2,609.0 87.1 146.8 42.0 96.31956 6,190.9 347.3 296.5 375.0 56.0 0.0 2,682.5 89.8 153.6 43.0 102.31957 7,623.3 363.6 332.2 424.0 50.4 123.7 2,746.1 91.2 156.8 44.0 114.41958 8,738.1 383.3 369.8 465.0 44.3 205.1 2,806.2 92.6 170.2 46.0 115.71959 9,631.0 405.4 401.6 500.0 38.8 377.9 2,895.4 95.6 180.5 50.0 118.7

1960 10,309.7 440.0 442.2 535.0 33.2 542.6 2,976.0 96.6 192.2 55.0 121.11961 11,127.5 463.7 497.3 575.0 28.8 891.7 3,078.2 99.2 204.9 58.0 128.51962 12,248.2 474.1 549.4 600.0 24.3 1,161.0 3,125.9 99.6 218.9 61.0 135.71963 13,038.1 489.2 618.3 650.0 20.5 1,380.0 3,160.2 100.9 230.7 65.0 144.61964 13,588.8 495.0 687.4 690.0 16.9 1,518.5 3,180.2 102.2 244.2 70.0 146.5

1965 13,918.2 498.4 747.3 725.0 14.0 1,653.9 3,202.9 102.5 257.1 69.0 148.91966 14,670.3 525.1 832.2 775.0 11.3 1,883.3 3,173.0 100.3 274.1 72.0 152.11967 15,665.4 530.9 899.5 832.0 9.1 2,057.4 3,173.0 100.3 287.4 75.0 157.01968 16,062.4 541.9 974.8 903.0 7.1 2,257.3 3,156.9 99.1 298.1 80.0 164.41969 16,430.4 550.3 1,044.0 978.0 5.5 2,416.2 3,154.6 96.5 315.2 87.0 172.3

1970 16,869.6 552.5 1,119.4 1,085.0 3.1 2,572.7 3,178.0 95.1 332.8 86.0 180.91971 17,402.5 557.9 1,210.1 1,165.0 2.4 2,806.6 3,220.0 95.6 349.6 89.0 178.01972 17,953.3 560.1 1,301.7 1,241.0 1.8 3,097.3 3,267.1 97.3 364.2 92.0 171.91973 18,685.7 558.8 1,424.9 1,320.0 1.3 3,408.8 3,255.5 99.6 381.7 95.0 177.21974 19,408.9 554.0 1,556.3 1,395.0 1.0 3,712.3 3,240.3 101.7 401.7 104.0 181.7

1975 20,014.5 579.4 1,644.1 1,480.0 0.6 4,142.1 3,226.1 101.7 421.2 105.0 175.71976 20,624.3 587.2 1,755.6 1,580.0 0.4 4,523.6 3,235.4 100.8 437.8 110.0 176.71977 21,239.0 591.6 1,822.6 1,837.0 0.2 4,750.4 3,262.8 99.8 459.4 152.0 171.51978 21,832.4 594.2 1,903.8 1,959.0 — 4,865.7 3,273.0 15.7 480.6 169.0 175.41979 22,421.1 591.7 2,051.0 2,097.0 — 4,822.7 3,241.6 14.4 486.9 181.0 189.3

1980 22,267.3 589.4 2,062.0 2,146.0 — 4,728.7 3,193.9 95.2 511.5 208.0 199.21981 23,612.3 576.7 2,136.9 2,275.0 — 4,599.2 3,145.0 93.6 521.5 229.0 224.21982 24,148.2 584.4 2,190.7 2,404.0 — 4,173.8 3,008.0 91.6 528.5 250.0 216.41983 24,749.3 580.4 2,254.2 2,403.0 — 3,874.9 3,030.0 89.2 540.0 246.0 223.71984 25,237.0 592.0 2,318.4 2,809.1 — 3,808.0 2,985.0 87.3 507.0 222.6 191.4

1985 25,739.0 566.3 2,405.7 2,912.0 — 3,808.0 2,933.2 85.3 476.1 223.0 169.41986 26,156.6 575.4 2,464.5 3,089.0 — 3,715.2 2,893.7 83.7 469.7 212.0 147.51987 26,755.0 567.6 2,498.9 3,269.0 — 4,034.0 2,850.0 82.7 461.7 196.0 151.61988 27,168.0 561.7 2,573.8 3,302.0 — 4,047.0 2,811.0 81.7 453.9 198.0 156.7



TABLE Bf326–348 Social insurance and veterans’ programs – beneficiaries: 1940–1988 Continued

Disability programs Survivor programs Unemployment programs

Public employeesRailroad State Railroad Veterans’ Trainingtemporary State and unemployment unemployment unemployment and relateddisability Black lung OASDHI Railroad Federal local Veterans Black lung insurance insurance allowances allowances


Year Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand

1940 — — 35.7 3.0 (Z) 25.0 323.2 — 982.4 41.5 — —1941 — — 168.5 3.6 (Z) 26.0 318.5 — 523.0 22.4 — —1942 — — 255.1 3.8 (Z) 28.0 315.9 — 192.6 3.3 — —1943 — — 341.5 4.1 (Z) 29.0 322.7 — 64.4 0.7 — —1944 — — 402.8 4.2 0.2 30.0 342.0 — 79.3 0.8 10.1 —

1945 — — 533.5 4.4 0.3 32.0 537.3 — 465.0 3.3 88.9 —1946 — — 661.0 4.5 0.4 34.0 790.5 — 1,152.2 52.7 1,359.3 —1947 23.6 — 767.4 40.5 0.4 35.0 901.5 — 852.4 52.6 760.6 —1948 33.2 — 872.4 101.6 2.0 36.0 950.0 — 821.1 38.2 434.9 —1949 33.6 — 983.9 121.8 9.4 38.0 971.2 — 1,666.1 120.4 387.5 —

1950 31.2 — 1,093.9 136.3 18.3 40.0 991.2 — 1,305.0 76.4 32.1 —1951 28.9 — 1,286.8 146.8 30.2 42.0 1,011.2 — 796.9 29.0 2.8 —1952 31.5 — 1,484.6 149.9 40.0 44.0 1,044.2 — 873.6 42.6 15.1 —1953 33.2 — 1,687.5 157.7 50.4 46.0 1,086.0 — 812.1 40.2 33.5 —1954 31.5 — 1,891.9 167.2 61.5 48.0 1,122.2 — 1,614.9 110.4 89.3 —

1955 31.9 — 2,096.6 196.5 71.9 50.0 1,154.2 — 1,099.5 63.2 72.4 —1956 30.3 — 2,282.3 210.6 82.9 53.0 1,173.9 — 1,037.0 47.6 50.7 —1957 30.7 — 2,633.0 220.7 65.4 55.0 1,176.9 — 1,250.2 59.6 44.6 —1958 30.5 — 2,912.2 231.3 109.2 57.0 1,187.9 — 2,771.9 129.8 67.2 —1959 29.1 — 3,189.3 242.3 140.1 58.0 1,210.4 — 1,762.6 79.1 14.4 —

1960 28.0 — 3,446.0 251.3 153.4 70.0 1,262.0 — 1,723.0 74.0 1.6 —1961 29.7 — 3,770.7 259.3 167.1 76.0 1,492.7 — 2,581.5 96.1 — 0.21962 28.2 — 3,965.7 265.2 180.8 78.0 1,595.5 — 1,729.0 66.0 — 2.91963 27.4 — 4,226.8 275.0 195.6 85.0 1,706.7 — 1,622.9 49.6 — 21.21964 25.8 — 4,458.7 282.5 212.0 90.0 1,814.5 — 1,439.7 39.4 — 50.7

1965 23.5 — 4,680.8 288.4 226.8 92.0 1,899.7 — 1,188.5 31.1 — 74.81966 21.5 — 5,227.9 294.6 241.9 98.0 1,970.0 — 960.7 22.6 — 65.01967 19.6 — 5,511.4 305.9 258.3 108.0 2,041.2 — 1,059.6 25.9 — 67.41968 19.7 — 5,823.7 314.6 275.7 110.0 2,253.1 — 986.7 21.0 — 61.41969 24.6 — 6,115.0 318.9 290.7 115.0 2,175.6 — 976.0 16.7 — 52.1

1970 24.9 25.1 6,369.3 324.3 306.9 120.0 2,284.1 1.5 1,620.3 17.7 — 60.01971 20.5 132.1 6,587.8 326.3 326.2 125.0 2,332.5 64.9 1,959.9 43.3 — 70.01972 17.9 165.0 6,826.5 332.3 345.6 130.0 2,390.5 84.5 1,698.1 21.6 — 48.41973 14.9 274.4 7,023.3 334.4 364.6 135.0 2,367.7 126.5 1,465.5 14.1 — 45.81974 14.4 336.4 7,197.2 335.5 392.1 146.0 2,294.6 146.5 1,984.2 9.7 — 18.7

1975 14.0 333.2 7,301.8 337.6 414.5 145.0 2,257.5 151.6 3,514.7 25.9 — —1976 17.9 321.1 7,416.1 337.0 436.0 150.0 2,220.7 156.0 2,595.0 28.2 — —1977 17.0 298.4 7,516.7 337.0 452.9 282.0 2,191.3 159.0 2,298.1 21.6 — —1978 15.7 281.0 7,560.7 335.1 472.8 290.0 2,137.8 159.0 2,028.5 25.2 — —1979 14.4 268.6 7,591.0 332.8 510.8 311.0 1,982.9 161.2 2,112.0 18.0 — —

1980 14.5 252.2 8,259.7 330.1 509.9 253.0 1,464.9 157.8 2,830.0 38.0 — —1981 13.7 162.7 7,635.2 326.1 541.4 248.0 1,374.0 213.8 3,191.0 52.0 — —1982 13.5 146.7 7,434.5 324.1 567.6 243.0 1,300.0 207.8 3,897.0 77.0 — —1983 12.9 133.8 7,310.3 310.2 596.3 246.0 1,227.0 199.5 2,337.0 43.0 — —1984 11.3 172.0 7,196.0 321.7 593.9 242.3 1,157.0 151.1 2,167.0 29.2 — —

1985 11.4 155.8 7,162.0 310.8 615.4 243.0 1,081.8 147.8 2,409.0 26.5 — —1986 12.0 140.5 7,126.8 289.1 644.3 237.0 1,035.3 144.0 2,391.0 24.0 — —1987 11.0 126.9 7,184.0 285.0 664.0 233.0 979.0 139.9 2,032.0 17.0 — —1988 10.3 114.1 7,222.0 279.1 688.0 235.0 932.0 135.4 1,833.0 13.3 — —

(Z) Fewer than fifty beneficiaries.

SourcesU.S. Social Security Administration, Social Security Bulletin, Annual StatisticalSupplement, For the years 1985–1988: 1990, pp. 106–7; for 1970, 1980,1983–1985: 1987, pp. 256–7; for 1982: 1986, pp. 252–3; for 1981: 1984–1985, pp. 223–4; for 1975, 1978, 1979: 1982, pp. 220–1; for 1977: 1981,pp. 66–7; for 1976: 1980, pp. 67–68; for 1973–1974: 1975, p. 50; for 1972:1974, p. 47; for 1971: 1973, pp. 43–4; for 1940, 1950, 1955, 1960, 1965,1970–1972: 1973, p. 43; for 1969: 1970, p. 29; for 1966, 1967: 1968,p. 28; for 1962–1964: 1965, p. 6; for 1961: 1964, p. 6; for 1958–1959: 1962,p. 6; for 1956–1957: 1960, p. 6; for 1951–1954: 1957, p. 14; for 1944–1949:

1952, p. 27; for 1943: 1946, p. 3; for 1942: 1945, p. 18; for 1941: 1944,p. 23. The U.S. Social Security Administration stopped publishing this tablein the Annual Statistical Supplement after the 1990 issue.

The U.S. Social Security Administration stopped publishing the data forTables Bf290–348 in the Annual Statistical Supplement after the 1990 issue.More recent data at higher levels of aggregation are available in Table Bf364–376 and are published in the quarterly Social Security Bulletin, Table 4.A2.Most of the data are derived from operating statistics of the administeringagencies.

DocumentationSee the text for Table Bf290–325.


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Bf3

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63

Mill

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Mill

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Mill

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Mill

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Mill

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Mill

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Mill

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Mill

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Mill

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Mill

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Mill

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Mill

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Mill

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Mill

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Mill

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dolla

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dolla

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llars

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dolla

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rs

1940

2,17

124

116

6218

342

412

2551

916

——

161

631

—19

508,

395

928

298

184

600

2,22

433

541,

408

6089

2841

52,

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—19

6025

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8194

280

51,

793

3,43

716

413

52,

867

158

311

5786

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31,5

701,

756

2,79

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369

5,48

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428

94,

184

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1,98

14,

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8022

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15,0

4325

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5825

060

618

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176

1,30

063

9,63

212

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7,85

8

1985

328,

304

186,

083

6,26

522

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40,0

2814

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143

680

14,6

3913

41,

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4715

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15,2

7611

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1990

434,

753

244,

757

7,25

929

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58,3

4915

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131

212

18,0

5961

3,09

958

23,0

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8,22

426

4,21

67,

571

31,7

7763

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16,2

4613

228

425

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673,

731

5625

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21,2

2718

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1992

507,

013

281,

393

7,74

830

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69,2

0916

,316

8818

824

,967

603,

858

5227

,754

22,3

2922

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1993

—29

6,15

67,

904

32,9

4876

,096

16,8

6581

110

21,5

4751

3,10

149

27,6

1821

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24,7

30

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—31

1,49

68,

002

35,7

1581

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4794

113

21,6

4645

3,20

156

27,4

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671

8,08

537

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119

116

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011

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939

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127

123

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550

8,22

441

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108

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ton

ly.



Series Bf357. Annual and monthly totals include regular state Unemploy-ment Insurance program and payments made by states as agents of thefederal government under the Federal Employees’ Unemployment Compen-sation program and under the Ex-Servicemen’s Compensation Act of 1958.Annual data are only for payments under Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of1944, Veterans’ Readjustment Act of 1962, Trade Expansion Act of 1962,Disaster Relief Act of 1970, and the Temporary and Permanent ExtendedUnemployment Insurance programs. Beginning in 1961, includes programin Puerto Rico. Beginning in 1981, state Unemployment Insurance and Ex-Servicemen’s Compensation Act only. Beginning July 1987, state programsonly.

Series Bf358–359. Benefits in Rhode Island (from 1943), in California (from1947), in New Jersey (from 1949), in New York (from 1950), in Puerto Rico(from 1970), in Hawai’i (from 1972), including payments under private planswhere applicable.

Series Bf360. Benefits began in 1947.

Series Bf361. Workers’ compensation benefits include those under federalworkers’ compensation laws and under state laws paid by private insurance

carriers, state funds, and self-insurers. Beginning in 1959, includes data forAlaska and Hawai’i. Monthly data refer only to federal Black Lung Benefitsadministered by the Social Security Administration (starting in 1970).

Series Bf362. Includes Aid to Families with Dependent Children and GeneralAssistance. Through 1973, includes Old-Age Assistance, Aid to the Blind, andAid to the Permanently and Totally Disabled (see text for series Bf363). In-cludes payments to intermediate-care facilities (July 1968–December 1971)and payments for emergency assistance, beginning July 1969. Includes moneypayments under medical assistance for the aged (1960–1969). Excludesmedical vendor payments. Starting in 1974, includes money payments tothe aged, blind, and disabled in Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islandsunder federally aided public assistance programs.

Series Bf363. The Supplemental Security Income program supersedes thepublic assistance programs of Old-Age Assistance. Aid to the Blind, andAid to the Permanently and Totally Disabled in the fifty states and the Dis-trict of Columbia, beginning in 1974 – beginning in 1978, in the NorthernMariana Islands. Annual totals include payments under state-administeredsupplementation programs.

TABLE Bf364–376 Public income-maintenance programs – beneficiaries of cash payments: 1940–1997Contributed by Price V. Fishback and Melissa A. Thomasson

UnemploymentRetirement and disability programs Survivor programs programs

OASDIRailroad

Federal civil Federal civil temporary Under stateRetirement Disability Railroad service Veterans’ OASDI Railroad service Veterans’ disability laws Railroad Black lung


Year Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand

1940 148 — 146 65 610 74 3 — 323 — 667 74 —1950 2,326 — 256 161 2,366 1,152 142 25 1,010 32 838 35 —1960 10,599 687 553 379 3,064 3,558 256 154 1,393 34 2,165 102 —1970 17,096 2,665 653 697 3,210 6,468 326 308 2,301 22 2,045 21 —1980 23,336 4,685 685 1,296 3,189 7,601 330 450 1,748 16 2,830 38 400

1985 25,991 3,907 652 1,454 2,924 7,160 311 501 1,067 12 2,409 29 2951986 26,551 3,993 641 1,489 2,876 7,164 306 516 1,006 12 2,391 24 2761987 26,995 4,945 633 1,518 2,836 7,150 302 532 955 1 2,032 17 2591988 27,384 4,074 627 1,543 2,797 7,169 296 548 911 9 1,736 8 2421989 27,853 4,129 622 1,585 2,771 7,169 290 561 868 7 1,716 8 226

1990 38,368 4,266 613 1,590 2,741 7,198 284 562 831 7 2,596 9 2111991 28,819 4,513 602 1,616 2,700 7,260 278 573 790 8 2,849 9 1961992 29,302 4,890 590 1,647 2,673 7,315 270 589 775 7 2,620 6 1821993 29,634 5,254 576 1,681 2,658 7,358 264 607 706 7 2,349 6 1681994 29,914 5,584 560 1,666 2,660 7,385 257 597 678 6 2,088 4 155

1995 30,141 5,858 542 1,704 2,668 7,388 250 607 656 6 2,099 5 1441996 30,311 6,072 528 1,716 — 7,354 241 618 — 6 2,197 3 1311997 30,638 6,153 512 1,731 — 7,180 233 621 — 6 2,076 3 119

SourceU.S. Social Security Administration, Social Security Bulletin 62 (4) (1999), Table4.A2, p. 82. The U.S. Social Security Administration bases the informationon reports of administrative agencies.

DocumentationThis is a companion table to Tables Bf290–363. See the text for Table Bf349–363 for further details on programs.

Series Bf364–366. Beneficiaries include auxiliaries or dependents.

Series Bf364. Beginning October 1966, Old-Age, Survivors, and DisabilityInsurance (OASDI) retirement benefits include special benefits authorizedby 1966 legislation for persons aged 72 or older and not insured under theregular or transitional provisions of the Social Security Act.

Series Bf367. Beginning January 1988, includes both Civil Service Retire-ment System and Federal Employee Retirement System beneficiaries.

Series Bf372. Monthly number at end of quarter.

Series Bf373 and Bf375. Average number during fourteen-day registrationperiod.

Series Bf374. Average weekly number in December. Includes regular stateUnemployment Insurance, the Federal Employees’ Unemployment Compen-sation program, and the Ex-Servicemen’s Compensation program through1981. Excludes federal employees’ program thereafter. Beginning July 1987,includes state programs only.

Series Bf376. Includes dependents and survivors. Data refer only to pro-grams administered by the U.S. Social Security Administration.


TABLE Bf377–394 Old-Age, Survivors, Disability, and Health Insurance – covered workers, earnings, employers,and tax rates: 1937–1999


Workers fully insuredfor retirement and/or Workers reported with

survivor benefits taxable earnings Earnings

Workers Withinsured in maximum New entrants Total in Reported

Permanently event of Living workers taxable into covered covered taxableTotal insured disability (estimated) Total earnings employment employment earnings


Year Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Million dollars Million dollars

1937 — — — — 32,904 1,031 32,904 32,200 29,6201938 — — — — 31,822 — 3,930 28,497 2 26,5021939 — — — — 33,751 — 4,450 32,226 2 29,745

1940 24,200 1,100 — 40,700 35,390 1,196 4,430 35,700 32,9701941 25,800 1,400 — 44,800 40,980 — 6,440 45,489 2 41,8501942 28,100 1,800 — 50,900 46,360 — 7,960 58,176 2 52,9401943 29,900 2,300 — 58,500 47,660 — 7,340 69,665 2 62,4201944 31,900 2,800 — 65,400 46,300 — 4,690 73,299 2 64,430

1945 33,400 3,400 — 69,600 46,390 6,361 3,480 71,600 62,9501946 35,400 8,600 — 72,400 48,840 6,477 3,080 79,300 69,0901947 37,300 11,600 — 75,200 48,910 9,620 2,680 92,400 78,3701948 38,900 13,200 — 77,400 49,020 12,061 2,640 102,300 84,1201949 40,100 14,900 — 79,400 46,800 11,740 1,960 100,000 81,810

1950 59,800 21,000 — 80,800 48,280 13,936 2,520 109,800 87,5001951 62,800 22,900 — 82,700 58,120 14,270 6,000 148,900 120,7701952 68,200 25,600 — 88,000 59,580 16,606 3,500 159,900 128,6401953 71,000 27,700 — 90,800 60,840 19,013 3,090 173,000 135,8701954 70,200 29,900 31,900 93,100 59,610 18,866 2,360 171,900 133,520

1955 70,500 32,500 35,400 94,700 65,200 16,704 4,760 196,100 157,5401956 74,000 36,100 37,200 98,600 67,610 19,236 3,660 216,800 170,7201957 76,100 38,300 38,400 101,400 70,590 21,095 3,380 233,900 181,3801958 76,500 40,300 43,400 103,800 69,770 21,328 2,450 236,500 180,7201959 76,700 42,200 46,400 105,300 71,700 19,112 3,180 255,000 202,310

1960 84,400 47,600 48,500 107,400 72,530 20,310 3,130 265,200 207,0001961 88,500 53,300 50,500 109,400 72,820 21,265 2,990 270,700 209,6401962 89,800 54,900 51,500 111,200 74,820 23,154 3,360 289,000 219,0501963 91,300 56,600 52,300 113,300 75,540 24,570 3,520 302,300 225,5501964 92,800 58,300 53,300 115,600 77,430 26,717 3,890 324,500 236,390

1965 94,800 60,200 55,000 118,100 80,680 29,136 4,620 351,700 250,7301966 97,200 61,900 55,700 121,300 84,600 20,498 5,080 390,700 312,5401967 99,900 63,300 56,900 125,000 87,040 22,948 4,530 422,300 329,9601968 102,600 64,500 70,100 127,900 89,380 19,120 4,830 460,000 375,8401969 105,000 65,700 72,400 130,800 92,060 22,577 5,160 502,800 402,550

1970 108,300 67,300 74,500 133,500 93,090 24,224 4,440 531,600 415,6001971 110,800 68,500 76,100 135,900 93,340 26,404 4,470 559,700 426,9601972 113,500 69,800 77,800 138,200 96,240 24,074 5,150 617,900 484,1101973 116,800 71,300 80,400 140,600 99,830 20,250 5,670 686,700 561,8501974 120,200 72,700 83,300 142,900 101,330 15,310 4,940 746,700 636,760

1975 123,100 74,300 85,300 145,200 100,200 15,070 4,120 787,600 664,6601976 126,000 76,100 87,000 148,300 102,600 15,330 4,700 874,700 737,7001977 129,000 78,100 89,300 151,000 105,800 15,700 5,070 960,100 816,5501978 133,300 80,300 93,700 153,700 110,600 17,050 5,460 1,092,600 915,6001979 137,300 83,000 98,000 156,400 112,700 11,236 4,883 1,222,200 1,067,000

1980 140,400 85,300 100,300 159,000 113,000 9,903 4,243 1,328,800 1,180,7001981 142,900 88,000 102,600 161,500 113,000 8,594 4,090 1,450,900 1,294,1001982 144,700 90,700 104,500 164,000 111,800 7,929 3,408 1,516,600 1,365,3001983 146,500 94,000 105,400 — 112,100 7,044 3,914 1,615,200 1,454,1001984 148,300 96,900 107,100 — 116,300 7,421 4,743 1,800,800 1,608,800

1985 150,900 100,000 109,600 — 119,800 7,766 4,756 1,936,800 1,722,6001986 153,200 103,300 111,600 — 122,900 7,624 4,641 2,081,800 1,844,4001987 155,700 107,400 113,500 — 125,600 7,735 4,956 2,237,000 1,960,0001988 158,300 110,600 115,700 — 129,600 8,483 5,489 2,432,800 2,088,4001989 161,300 113,600 118,100 — 131,700 8,110 4,856 2,578,700 2,239,500



TABLE Bf377–394 Old-Age, Survivors, Disability, and Health Insurance – covered workers, earnings, employers,and tax rates: 1937–1999 Continued

Workers fully insuredfor retirement and/or Workers reported with

survivor benefits taxable earnings Earnings

Workers Withinsured in maximum New entrants Total in Reported

Permanently event of Living workers taxable into covered covered taxableTotal insured disability (estimated) Total earnings employment employment earnings


Year Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Million dollars Million dollars

1990 164,000 116,400 120,100 — 133,600 7,575 4,012 2,703,800 2,358,0001991 165,900 118,800 121,500 — 133,000 7,483 3,541 2,760,500 2,422,5001992 167,500 121,100 122,900 — 134,000 7,667 3,918 2,917,800 2,532,9001993 169,100 123,600 124,400 — 136,100 7,617 4,204 3,022,900 2,636,1001994 170,800 125,900 126,200 — 138,200 7,517 4,570 3,169,100 2,785,200

1995 173,000 128,300 128,100 — 141,000 8,192 4,612 3,359,100 2,919,9001996 175,200 130,800 129,900 — 143,500 8,654 4,611 3,568,200 3,075,6001997 177,500 133,400 132,000 — 146,700 — — 3,852,600 3,291,0001998 179,500 135,700 133,800 — 148,500 — — 4,120,500 3,512,1001999 181,800 137,900 136,000 — — — — — —


Annual maximumtaxable earnings

per worker Contribution rate

For employer and employee each For self-employed persons

Old-Age, Old-Age,Employers Survivors Survivors

Under HI reporting Insurance Disability Health Insurance Disability HealthUnder OASDI (Medicare) taxable wages (OASI) Insurance (DI) Insurance (HI) (OASI) Insurance (DI) Insurance (HI)

Bf386 1 Bf387 1 Bf388 Bf389 Bf390 Bf391 Bf392 Bf393 Bf394

Year Dollars Dollars Thousand Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent

1937 3,000 — 2,420 1.000 — — — — —1938 3,000 — 2,240 1.000 — — — — —1939 3,000 — 2,370 1.000 — — — — —

1940 3,000 — 2,500 1.000 — — — — —1941 3,000 — 2,650 1.000 — — — — —1942 3,000 — 2,660 1.000 — — — — —1943 3,000 — 2,390 1.000 — — — — —1944 3,000 — 2,470 1.000 — — — — —

1945 3,000 — 2,610 1.000 — — — — —1946 3,000 — 3,020 1.000 — — — — —1947 3,000 — 3,250 1.000 — — — — —1948 3,000 — 3,300 1.000 — — — — —1949 3,000 — 3,320 1.000 — — — — —

1950 3,000 — 3,350 1.500 — — — — —1951 3,600 — 4,700 1.500 — — 2.2500 — —1952 3,600 — 4,740 1.500 — — 2.2500 — —1953 3,600 — 4,700 1.500 — — 2.2500 — —1954 3,600 — 4,720 2.000 — — 3.0000 — —

1955 4,200 — 4,910 2.000 — — 3.0000 — —1956 4,200 — 5,240 2.000 — — 3.0000 — —1957 4,200 — 5,190 2.000 0.250 — 3.0000 0.3750 —1958 4,200 — 5,270 2.000 0.250 — 3.0000 0.3750 —1959 4,800 — 5,520 2.250 0.250 — 3.3750 0.3750 —

1960 4,800 — 5,670 2.750 0.250 — 4.1250 0.3750 —1961 4,800 — 5,860 2.750 0.250 — 4.1250 0.3750 —1962 4,800 — 5,910 2.875 0.250 — 4.3250 0.3750 —1963 4,800 — 6,000 3.375 0.250 — 5.0250 0.3750 —1964 4,800 — 6,090 3.375 0.250 — 5.0250 0.3750 —

1965 4,800 — 6,090 3.375 0.250 — 5.0250 0.3750 —1966 6,600 6,600 5,990 3.500 0.350 0.35 5.2750 0.5250 0.351967 6,600 6,600 5,920 3.550 0.350 0.50 5.3750 0.5250 0.501968 7,800 7,800 5,820 3.325 0.475 0.60 5.0875 0.7125 0.601969 7,800 7,800 5,790 3.725 0.475 0.60 5.5875 0.7125 0.60



TABLE Bf377–394 Old-Age, Survivors, Disability, and Health Insurance – covered workers, earnings, employers,and tax rates: 1937–1999


Annual maximumtaxable earnings

per worker Contribution rate

For employer and employee each For self-employed persons

Old-Age, Old-Age,Employers Survivors Survivors

Under HI reporting Insurance Disability Health Insurance Disability HealthUnder OASDI (Medicare) taxable wages (OASI) Insurance (DI) Insurance (HI) (OASI) Insurance (DI) Insurance (HI)

Bf386 1 Bf387 1 Bf388 Bf389 Bf390 Bf391 Bf392 Bf393 Bf394

Year Dollars Dollars Thousand Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent

1970 7,800 7,800 5,690 3.650 0.550 0.60 5.4750 0.8250 0.601971 7,800 7,800 5,760 4.050 0.550 0.60 6.0750 0.8250 0.601972 9,000 9,000 5,710 4.050 0.550 0.60 6.0750 0.8250 0.601973 10,800 10,800 5,760 4.300 0.550 1.00 6.2050 0.7950 1.001974 13,200 13,200 5,750 4.375 0.575 0.90 6.1850 0.8150 0.90

1975 14,100 14,100 5,720 4.375 0.575 0.90 6.1850 0.8150 0.901976 15,300 15,300 5,840 4.375 0.575 0.90 6.1850 0.8150 0.901977 16,500 16,500 5,920 4.375 0.575 0.90 6.1850 0.8150 0.901978 17,700 17,700 — 4.275 0.775 1.00 6.0100 1.0900 1.001979 22,900 22,900 — 4.330 0.750 1.05 6.0100 1.0400 1.05

1980 25,900 25,900 — 4.520 0.560 1.05 6.2725 0.7775 1.051981 29,700 29,700 — 4.700 0.650 1.30 7.0250 0.9750 1.301982 32,400 32,400 — 4.575 0.825 1.30 6.8125 1.2375 1.301983 35,700 35,700 — 4.775 0.625 1.30 7.1125 0.9375 1.301984 37,800 37,800 — 5.200 0.500 1.30 10.4000 1.0000 2.60

1985 39,600 39,600 — 5.200 0.500 1.35 10.4000 1.0000 2.701986 42,000 42,000 — 5.200 0.500 1.45 10.4000 1.0000 2.901987 43,800 43,800 — 5.200 0.500 1.45 10.4000 1.0000 2.901988 45,000 45,000 — 5.530 0.530 1.45 11.0600 1.0600 2.901989 48,000 48,000 — 5.530 0.530 1.45 11.0600 1.0600 2.90

1990 51,300 51,300 — 5.600 0.600 1.45 11.2000 1.2000 2.901991 53,400 125,000 — 5.600 0.600 1.45 11.2000 1.2000 2.901992 55,500 130,200 — 5.600 0.600 1.45 11.2000 1.2000 2.901993 57,600 135,000 — 5.600 0.600 1.45 11.2000 1.2000 2.901994 60,600 — — 5.260 0.940 1.45 10.5200 1.8800 2.90

1995 61,200 — — 5.260 0.940 1.45 10.5200 1.8800 2.901996 62,700 — — 5.260 0.940 1.45 10.5200 1.8800 2.901997 65,400 — — 5.350 0.850 1.45 10.7000 1.7000 2.901998 68,400 — — 5.350 0.850 1.45 10.7000 1.7000 2.901999 72,600 — — 5.350 0.850 1.45 10.7000 1.7000 2.90

1 Data in some years based on automatic adjustment. See text.2 Data error in original source, which cannot be corrected.

SourcesU.S. Social Security Administration, Social Security Bulletin: Annual StatisticalSupplement (1997), Table 4.B1, p. 167, Table 4.C1, p. 178; (1999), Table4.B1, p. 165, Table 4.C1, p. 176, Table 2.A3, p. 36. Series Bf380 and Bf388are reported in the Social Security Bulletin: Annual Statistical Supplement (1981),pp. 84, 96 and (1987), p. 104.

DocumentationThe Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) program providesmonthly benefits to retired and disabled workers and their dependents andto survivors of insured workers. Benefits are paid as a matter of earned rightto workers who gain insured status and to their eligible spouses, children,and survivors. A person builds protection under the OASDI program throughtaxes on earnings from employment covered under Social Security. In 1965,a comprehensive health insurance program (Medicare) for persons 65 yearsold and older was established. The program consists of a compulsory hos-pital insurance plan covering hospital and related services and a voluntarysupplementary medical insurance plan covering physicians’ and related med-ical services. The hospital insurance plan is financed through contributions

made while the individual is working (except that federal general revenues areused to finance the benefits for certain elderly persons who reach retirementage without becoming insured under the Social Security Act). The supple-mentary medical insurance plan is financed through voluntary contributionsby the elderly matched by the federal government general revenues.

The national system of Old Age, Survivors, Disability, and Health In-surance (OASDHI) originally covered employees in industry and commerce.Beginning in 1951, coverage was extended to regularly employed agricul-tural and domestic workers, to most urban self-employed persons, and, ona voluntary group basis, to employees of nonprofit organizations and to em-ployees of state and local governments not covered by separate retirementprograms. During the 1950s, coverage was further extended to self-employedfarmers and additional farmworkers, to most professional self-employed per-sons and, on a voluntary basis, to most state and local government employeescovered by their own retirement system. As of January 1957, military person-nel were covered on a compulsory basis. Free wage credits for military servicefrom September 1940 through December 1956 are reflected in benefits paidduring the years covered by the series (primarily in benefits to young survivors)but do not enter into the count of covered workers or taxable earnings. Theadditional cost of benefits paid as a result of these credits is met by transfersto the trust funds from general revenues. In 1965, self-employed


TABLE Bf377–394 Old-Age, Survivors, Disability, and Health Insurance – covered workers, earnings, employers,and tax rates: 1937–1999 Continued

doctors of medicine were covered, and in 1967 the previous elective coverageof ministers became compulsory unless exemption was claimed on groundsof conscience or religious principle.

When the OASDHI program began in 1937, fewer than 60 percent ofall persons who worked in paid employment during an average week werecovered. Following the 1950 amendments, the proportion rose to 75 percentand by 1970 was more than 90 percent. In the mid-1990s about 96 percentof all jobs in the United States were covered. Workers excluded from cover-age fall into five major categories: (1) federal civilian employees hired beforeJanuary 1, 1984, (2) railroad workers, (3) certain employees of state and lo-cal governments who are covered under a retirement system, (4) householdworkers and farm workers whose earnings do not meet certain minimum re-quirements, and (5) persons with very low net earnings from self-employment(generally less than $400 annually). Federal civil servants hired prior to 1984and railroad employees are covered, separately, by compulsory, contributoryretirement systems of their own. The railroad system is closely coordinatedwith OASDHI.

To qualify for cash benefits, a worker must have worked a sufficient timein covered employment to have acquired an insured status (see series Bf377–379). Workers are considered “fully insured” when they meet the minimumrequirements for insurance; they become “permanently insured” when theybecome eligible for a required-worker benefit. Workers are insured in theevent of disability if they are considered fully insured and have contributeda sufficient amount to receive disability insurance. Under the 1939 amend-ments, workers were generally “fully insured” for benefits if they had workedin covered employment half the time after 1936 and before age 65 and hada minimum of six calendar quarters of coverage. Subsequent liberalizationspermitted a person to become fully insured if he had been in covered workroughly equal to one fourth of the time between 1950 (or age 21, if later)and retirement age or death. Based on the rules in 1970, if a worker diedbefore acquiring a fully insured status but was “currently insured” 1.5 yearsof employment out of the 3 preceding years, death-survivor benefits may bepaid to his young widow with children. To be insured for disability benefits,circa 1970, a worker must generally have worked for at least five out of theten years before onset of disability. The 1965 amendments eased the eligi-bility requirements for persons 72 years old and older who were not eligiblefor cash benefits by introducing a transitional insured status under which aspecial flat monthly benefit may be paid to persons with three to five quartersof coverage. A 1966 amendment extended these special monthly benefits tocertain persons 72 years old and older who could not meet even these mini-mal requirements. Lump-sum payments became payable in 1937; monthlybenefits, in 1940. The original Social Security Act provided for monthly old-age benefits only. Amendments adopted in 1939 added benefits for depen-dents and survivors of the insured worker. Benefits for disabled persons wereadded in 1956, and benefits for the dependents of disabled persons, in 1958.Beginning in 1966, the cost of rehabilitation services furnished to disabilitybeneficiaries was also paid by the program. A complete discussion of insuredstatus can be found in the Social Security Bulletin: Annual Statistical Supplement,1997, p. 372.

Since 1940, the OASDHI program has been a pay-as-you-go systemfunded by taxes on earnings for wage and salary workers and the self-employed. An employer deducts Social Security contributions from a worker’spay and adds an equal amount for his tax as employer. The money is for-warded to the Internal Revenue Service and deposited into federal trust funds

from which the benefits and administrative expenses are paid. Self-employedpersons pay their Social Security contributions with their federal incometax. For example, the information in series Bf386–394 shows that in 1990a typical worker would pay a tax on earnings up to a maximum of $51,300of 5.6 percent for Old-Age, Survivors Insurance (OASI), start 0.6 percentfor Disability Insurance (DI), and 1.4 percent for Medicare. The employerwould pay the matching amount. The self-employed would pay both theworker and employer share, or 11.2 percent for OASI, 1.2 percent for DI, and2.8 percent for Medicare. The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993repealed the Medicare maximum so that now all earnings are subject to theMedicare tax. In 1984 the total contribution rate for OASDHI for employersand employees each (the sum of series Bf389–391) includes an automatic taxcredit of 0.3 percent for remuneration paid in the calendar year 1984 underthe Federal Insurance Contributions Act. During the period 1984 to 1989,the total contribution rate for OASDHI for self-employed (the sum of seriesBf392–394) includes an automatic tax credit of 2.7 percent of earnings forself-employed income for taxable years beginning in 1984, 2.3 percent fortaxable years beginning in 1985, and 2.0 percent for taxable years beginningin 1986, 1987, 1988, and 1989. During this period, scheduled taxes werecredited to the Social Security Trust funds, monies for tax credits were paidfrom the Treasury, and the reduced tax rates were paid by employees and theself-employed. For more information, see Social Security Bulletin, Annual Statis-tical Supplement, 1997, Table 2.A4, p. 35. Unlike the income tax, the OASDHItaxes are drawn on the first dollar of earnings; however, the working poor re-ceive some relief from the OASDHI payroll taxes through the earned incometax credit.

Series Bf380. The estimated total number of living workers is the estimatednumber of persons who had covered employment any time during the pe-riod from 1937 to the year shown. It is not adjusted to reflect the effect ofprovisions that coordinate the OASDHI and Railroad Retirement programsand wage credits for military service. It is only partially adjusted to eliminateduplicate counts of persons with taxable earnings reported on more thanone Social Security number.

Series Bf381–385. Relate only to wage and salary workers for the period1937–1950. Beginning in 1951, the data include self-employed workers andearnings.

Series Bf383. New entrants into covered employment are workers reportedwith first taxable earnings under the program in a specified year. Duringthe period 1937–1994, 276.2 million different persons were reported withtaxable earnings.

Series Bf382–383 and Bf385. Preliminary estimates are based on data fromthe Bureau of Labor Statistics and the National Income and Product Ac-counts.

Series Bf381–383, Bf385, and Bf387. Data for 1996 are preliminary esti-mates based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the NationalIncome and Product Accounts.

Series Bf386–387. Data for 1975–1978, 1982–1989, and 1993–1996 arebased on automatic adjustment under 1972a Act (as modified by 1973aand 1973b Acts), in proportion to increases in the average wage level. Themaximum earnings taxable for HI in 1991 is based on 1990 legislation.

Series Bf388. No longer reported in statistical supplement after 1977.


TABLE Bf395–407 Old-Age and Survivors Insurance – benefits, by type of beneficiary: 1937–1998Contributed by Price V. Fishback and Melissa A. Thomasson

Annual benefits paid to

Retired workers and dependents Survivors

Widowed Special Lump-sumRetired Surviving mothers and Widows and age-72 death

Total Total Total workers Spouses Children Total children fathers widowers Parents beneficiaries payments



1937 1 — — — — — — — — — — — 11938 10 — — — — — — — — — — — 101939 14 — — — — — — — — — — — 14

1940 35 24 17 15 2 (Z) 6 3 2 (Z) (Z) — 91941 88 75 51 44 7 1 24 13 8 2 (Z) — 131942 131 116 76 65 10 1 40 21 13 5 (Z) — 151943 166 148 93 79 13 1 55 29 16 9 1 — 181944 209 187 113 97 16 1 73 39 20 14 1 — 22

1945 274 248 148 126 21 2 100 52 27 20 1 — 261946 378 350 222 189 31 2 128 66 32 28 1 — 281947 466 437 288 245 40 3 149 77 34 37 2 — 291948 556 524 352 300 49 4 172 86 36 48 2 — 321949 667 634 437 373 60 5 197 95 39 60 2 — 33

1950 961 928 651 557 88 6 277 135 49 89 3 — 331951 1,885 1,828 1,321 1,135 175 11 507 260 82 156 9 — 571952 2,194 2,131 1,539 1,328 200 12 592 298 92 191 10 — 631953 3,006 2,919 2,175 1,884 275 16 744 369 114 248 12 — 871954 3,670 3,578 2,698 2,340 338 21 880 430 133 304 13 — 92

1955 4,968 4,855 3,748 3,253 466 29 1,108 532 163 396 16 — 1131956 5,715 5,605 4,361 3,793 536 33 1,244 581 177 469 17 — 1091957 7,347 7,209 5,688 4,888 756 43 1,521 651 198 653 19 — 1391958 8,327 8,194 6,474 5,567 851 56 1,720 720 223 757 20 — 1331959 9,842 9,670 7,607 6,548 982 77 2,063 855 263 921 25 — 171

1960 10,677 10,512 8,196 7,053 1,051 92 2,316 945 286 1,057 28 — 1641961 11,862 11,690 9,032 7,802 1,124 106 2,659 1,080 316 1,232 31 — 1711962 13,356 13,173 10,162 8,813 1,216 134 3,011 1,171 336 1,470 34 — 1831963 14,217 14,011 10,795 9,391 1,258 146 3,216 1,222 348 1,612 34 — 2061964 14,914 14,698 11,281 9,854 1,277 150 3,416 1,275 354 1,754 33 — 216

1965 16,737 16,521 12,542 10,984 1,383 175 3,979 1,515 388 2,041 35 — 2171966 18,267 18,030 13,373 11,727 1,429 216 4,613 1,812 415 2,351 35 44 2371967 19,468 19,215 14,049 12,372 1,456 221 4,854 1,855 420 2,545 34 313 2521968 22,642 22,373 16,204 14,278 1,673 253 5,839 2,207 478 3,117 37 330 2691969 24,209 23,917 17,395 15,385 1,750 260 6,219 2,322 490 3,371 36 303 291

1970 28,796 28,503 20,770 18,438 2,029 303 7,428 2,760 574 4,055 39 305 2941971 33,413 33,107 24,219 21,544 2,323 352 8,602 3,168 630 4,763 41 285 3061972 37,122 36,802 27,057 24,143 2,532 382 9,428 3,433 679 5,326 43 263 3201973 45,741 45,412 32,793 29,336 3,000 457 12,356 4,002 801 7,505 48 264 3291974 51,618 51,291 37,211 33,369 3,309 533 13,843 4,399 898 8,497 49 237 327

1975 58,509 58,172 42,432 38,079 3,719 634 15,544 4,888 1,009 9,597 50 196 3371976 65,699 65,366 47,936 43,083 4,117 736 17,257 5,336 1,113 10,757 51 174 3321977 73,113 72,801 53,575 48,186 4,559 830 19,070 5,759 1,191 12,068 52 157 3121978 80,352 80,008 59,159 53,255 4,983 921 20,707 6,093 1,284 13,278 51 142 3441979 90,556 90,216 66,947 60,379 5,554 1,014 23,140 6,608 1,409 15,071 52 128 340

1980 105,074 104,678 77,905 70,358 6,405 1,142 26,654 7,389 1,572 17,638 55 119 3941981 123,795 123,463 92,478 83,614 7,543 1,321 30,875 8,307 1,760 20,749 58 110 3321982 138,800 138,596 104,885 95,123 8,539 1,223 33,612 8,204 1,861 23,488 59 100 2031983 149,502 149,297 114,048 103,578 9,328 1,143 35,164 7,911 1,771 25,425 56 85 2051984 157,862 157,651 120,952 109,957 9,860 1,135 36,628 7,775 1,474 27,325 53 71 212

1985 167,360 167,152 128,479 116,823 10,517 1,140 38,616 7,762 1,474 29,330 51 57 2071986 176,845 176,642 135,902 123,584 11,152 1,166 40,693 7,843 1,457 31,345 48 47 2031987 183,644 183,441 141,293 128,513 11,598 1,183 42,112 7,846 1,388 32,833 44 36 2031988 195,522 195,314 150,498 136,987 12,292 1,219 44,787 8,120 1,392 35,233 43 29 2081989 207,997 207,770 160,331 146,027 13,054 1,249 47,418 8,254 1,401 37,723 41 21 206



TABLE Bf395–407 Old-Age and Survivors Insurance – benefits, by type of beneficiary: 1937–1998 Continued

Annual benefits paid to

Retired workers and dependents Survivors

Widowed Special Lump-sumRetired Surviving mothers and Widows and age-72 death

Total Total Total workers Spouses Children Total children fathers widowers Parents beneficiaries payments



1990 222,993 222,787 172,025 156,756 13,953 1,316 50,746 8,564 1,437 40,705 39 16 2061991 240,436 240,234 185,533 169,142 14,986 1,405 54,689 9,022 1,490 44,139 38 12 2021992 254,939 254,734 196,676 179,372 15,810 1,494 58,049 9,431 1,521 47,060 37 9 2061993 267,804 267,590 206,359 188,440 16,356 1,563 61,225 9,897 1,547 49,746 36 6 2141994 279,118 278,898 214,891 196,400 16,854 1,637 64,003 10,293 1,551 52,124 34 4 220

1995 291,682 291,464 224,378 205,315 17,348 1,715 67,083 10,717 1,573 54,761 32 3 2181996 302,914 302,697 232,937 213,423 17,715 1,799 69,759 11,217 1,486 57,025 31 1 2181997 316,311 316,095 243,590 223,554 18,154 1,882 72,505 11,660 1,466 59,349 30 1 2161998 326,817 326,599 252,659 232,324 18,395 1,940 73,940 11,936 1,435 60,540 29 (Z) 218

(Z) Less than $500,000.

SourceU.S. Social Security Administration, Social Security Bulletin: Annual StatisticalSupplement (1999), Table 4.A5, p. 163.

DocumentationFor additional information about the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability In-surance program, see the text for Table Bf377–394.

Amounts are benefits paid from the Old-Age, Survivors Insurance TrustFund.


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1940

7865

1230

410

63

——

——

——

1941

136

114

2257

1520

134

——

——

——

1942

176

146

3077

2929

177

——

——

——

1943

206

161

4592

4634

2011

——

——

——

1944

315

253

6213

569

6736

20—

——

——

—

1945

416

338

7818

195

8648

24—

——

——

—19

4647

338

192

216

127

6637

22—

——

——

—19

4759

047

111

926

916

469

3923

——

——

——

1948

708

560

148

321

210

7341

24—

——

——

—19

4987

268

718

639

026

178

4426

——

——

——

1950

1,24

093

930

149

831

482

5333

——

——

——

1951

1,61

81,

162

456

614

384

9261

49—

——

——

—19

521,

894

1,30

658

869

945

410

368

56—

——

——

—19

532,

321

1,54

377

883

954

011

374

64—

——

——

—19

542,

744

1,78

096

495

863

711

682

72—

——

——

—

1955

3,26

62,

054

1,21

21,

124

700

126

8680

——

——

——

1956

3,66

22,

133

1,52

81,

359

912

128

8883

——

——

——

1957

4,34

42,

361

1,98

31,

726

1,08

914

297

92—

——

——

—19

584,

872

2,58

72,

285

1,90

21,

224

156

105

9922

317

648

——

—19

595,

321

2,75

52,

565

2,02

91,

380

160

106

108

275

206

6915

1518

1960

5,74

22,

922

2,82

02,

122

1,52

717

211

311

435

726

196

2232

2219

616,

470

3,33

63,

134

2,21

41,

677

185

120

121

459

332

127

3459

2519

627,

134

3,66

63,

468

2,32

41,

835

191

128

131

542

384

158

4378

2619

637,

606

3,86

73,

739

2,36

81,

984

191

131

137

599

416

183

4893

2719

647,

982

3,99

83,

984

2,39

22,

129

191

134

142

650

446

203

5099

30

1965

8,38

64,

137

4,24

92,

400

2,33

218

213

515

371

448

123

254

109

3019

668,

897

4,30

14,

596

2,41

82,

541

180

140

164

780

518

262

5812

833

1967

9,24

74,

416

4,83

12,

429

2,69

618

114

017

284

755

629

059

138

3719

689,

641

4,55

85,

082

2,43

02,

836

181

144

177

914

596

318

6414

939

1969

10,0

394,

707

5,33

22,

440

2,98

418

014

817

898

764

034

769

154

41

1970

10,5

334,

904

5,62

92,

457

3,08

018

315

518

21,

054

680

374

7716

443

1971

11,1

285,

149

5,97

92,

481

3,25

819

015

918

51,

165

749

416

8617

847

1972

11,6

535,

364

6,28

82,

507

3,32

518

816

618

41,

287

821

467

9819

852

1973

12,3

795,

663

6,71

62,

565

3,44

420

917

419

51,

425

902

523

113

208

5719

7412

,948

5,86

27,

086

2,58

33,

536

218

176

178

1,58

698

959

812

322

462

1975

13,5

206,

134

7,38

52,

618

3,60

622

118

217

61,

750

1,08

067

113

725

066

1976

14,0

566,

351

7,70

52,

647

3,70

621

918

617

11,

883

1,15

273

014

425

772

1977

14,5

976,

564

8,03

32,

681

3,80

522

119

016

72,

000

1,22

278

215

226

380

1978

15,1

486,

791

8,35

72,

697

3,89

422

818

615

82,

043

1,24

579

815

525

681

1979

15,7

487,

044

8,70

42,

710

3,96

423

418

714

72,

050

1,24

880

215

424

280

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16,3

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415

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1982

17,5

197,

852

9,66

72,

784

4,19

123

616

510

61,

969

1,20

876

012

416

378

1983

18,1

628,

166

9,99

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830

4,27

116

114

192

1,96

11,

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746

8514

380

1984

18,6

138,

362

10,2

512,

839

4,52

015

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579

1,99

31,

241

752

8314

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1985

19,1

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601

10,5

312,

861

4,60

615

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174

2,03

91,

267

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8414

076

1986

19,6

648,

849

10,8

162,

883

4,66

615

112

368

2,09

61,

301

795

8213

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1987

20,1

379,

064

11,0

742,

893

4,70

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562

2,15

41,

338

816

7913

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1988

20,5

679,

264

11,3

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896

4,74

913

711

261

2,19

41,

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7712

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1989

21,0

369,

495

11,5

412,

903

4,78

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710

958

2,26

21,

390

872

7512

067

1990

21,5

379,

752

11,7

862,

914

4,82

513

310

657

2,37

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448

922

7511

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1991

21,9

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985

11,9

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655

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31,

529

994

7611

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1992

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1,90

91,

396

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23,7

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312,

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4,81

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413,

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1,97

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TABLE Bf422–431 Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance – benefits in current-payment status for maleretired-worker beneficiaries, by age: 1940–19981


Retired worker current-payBeneficiaries beneficiaries – distribution by age

With reductionin benefits for

early retirementAverage age

With full ofTotal benefits Number Percent beneficiaries 62–64 65–69 70–74 75–79 80 and older


Year Number Number Number Percent Years Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent

1940 99,000 99,000 — — 68.8 — 74.4 17.4 6.4 1.81941 175,000 175,000 — — 69.8 — 65.6 23.0 8.9 2.61942 224,000 224,000 — — 70.5 — 57.3 28.6 10.9 3.31943 261,000 261,000 — — 71.1 — 49.2 34.1 12.7 4.01944 323,000 323,000 — — 71.5 — 42.7 38.6 14.2 4.6

1945 447,000 447,000 — — 71.7 — 39.9 40.2 15.1 4.71946 610,000 610,000 — — 71.9 — 38.0 41.1 15.7 5.21947 756,000 756,000 — — 72.1 — 36.5 40.4 17.4 5.81948 900,000 900,000 — — 72.3 — 35.6 39.1 18.9 6.41949 1,100,000 1,100,000 — — 72.3 — 36.3 37.0 19.8 6.8

1950 1,469,000 1,469,000 — — 72.2 — 39.1 33.7 20.2 7.11951 1,819,000 1,819,000 — — 72.3 — 38.8 32.4 21.2 7.61952 2,052,000 2,052,000 — — 72.6 — 36.9 32.9 21.7 8.51953 2,438,000 2,438,000 — — 72.6 — 37.3 32.5 21.3 8.91954 2,803,000 2,803,000 — — 72.6 — 37.2 32.8 20.6 9.4

1955 3,252,000 3,252,000 — — 72.7 — 35.7 34.8 20.0 9.51956 3,572,271 3,572,271 — — 72.9 — 34.2 35.2 20.3 10.31957 4,198,000 4,198,000 — — 72.9 — 34.9 34.2 20.4 10.51958 4,617,000 4,617,000 — — 73.0 — 33.9 34.3 20.6 11.21959 4,937,000 4,937,000 — — 73.1 — 34.0 33.7 20.9 11.5

1960 5,216,668 5,216,668 — — 73.2 — 33.8 33.1 21.1 12.11961 5,764,685 5,491,000 273,000 4.7 72.8 4.1 32.7 31.0 20.2 11.91962 6,244,000 5,587,000 657,000 10.5 72.7 6.5 31.4 30.4 19.4 12.31963 6,497,000 5,552,000 945,000 14.5 72.7 7.0 30.9 29.8 19.7 12.61964 6,657,000 5,460,000 1,197,000 18.0 72.8 7.2 30.0 29.7 19.8 13.3

1965 6,825,078 5,389,166 1,435,912 21.0 72.9 6.9 29.7 29.5 19.9 14.01966 7,034,000 5,345,000 1,689,000 24.0 73.1 6.9 29.5 29.2 19.8 14.51967 7,160,000 5,215,000 1,946,000 27.2 73.1 6.8 29.5 28.5 20.2 14.91968 7,309,000 5,108,000 2,202,000 30.1 73.1 7.0 29.5 28.0 20.0 15.51969 7,459,000 5,002,000 2,457,000 32.9 73.2 7.1 29.9 27.3 20.0 15.8

1970 7,688,460 4,930,400 2,758,060 35.9 72.6 7.5 30.1 26.9 19.6 15.91971 7,951,809 4,878,482 3,073,327 38.6 72.5 8.0 30.7 26.1 19.3 15.91972 8,230,847 4,833,280 3,397,567 41.3 72.4 8.4 31.2 26.0 18.5 15.91973 8,610,361 4,817,041 3,793,320 44.0 72.3 8.7 31.9 25.7 17.9 15.81974 8,832,270 4,737,114 4,095,156 46.4 72.3 8.9 32.2 25.9 17.3 15.7

1975 9,163,776 4,711,571 4,452,077 48.6 72.3 9.3 32.2 25.6 17.1 15.81976 9,420,659 4,633,096 4,787,563 50.8 72.3 9.4 32.3 25.8 16.7 15.81977 9,723,815 4,591,745 5,132,070 52.8 72.2 9.6 32.4 25.7 16.7 15.61978 9,928,463 4,535,918 5,392,545 54.3 72.2 9.2 32.4 25.9 16.8 15.61979 10,192,475 4,606,965 5,585,510 54.8 72.2 9.2 32.3 25.9 16.9 15.7

1980 10,460,735 4,586,539 5,874,196 54.8 72.2 9.5 32.1 25.8 16.9 15.61981 10,767,000 4,586,149 6,180,832 57.4 72.2 9.9 31.8 25.7 17.1 15.51982 11,030,000 4,647,057 6,382,785 57.9 72.2 10.3 31.3 25.6 17.1 15.61983 11,358,000 4,751,287 6,607,070 58.2 72.2 10.6 31.0 25.8 17.0 15.51984 11,573,000 4,702,805 6,870,106 59.4 72.2 10.8 30.3 25.9 17.3 15.7

1985 11,816,956 4,655,477 7,161,479 60.6 72.3 10.9 30.2 25.9 17.3 15.71986 12,080,376 4,621,111 7,459,265 61.7 72.4 10.9 30.3 25.7 17.3 15.81987 12,295,034 4,587,974 7,707,060 62.7 72.4 10.9 30.2 25.5 17.4 16.01988 12,486,962 4,563,777 7,923,185 63.5 72.4 10.7 30.0 25.5 17.6 16.21989 12,718,425 4,566,059 8,152,366 64.1 72.5 10.5 30.1 25.1 17.8 16.4

1990 12,853,832 4,592,911 8,390,921 64.6 72.5 10.3 30.0 25.3 17.8 16.61991 13,222,776 4,621,584 8,601,192 65.0 72.6 10.2 29.5 25.7 17.9 16.71992 13,470,502 4,649,446 8,821,056 65.5 72.7 10.0 29.2 25.8 17.8 17.11993 13,645,386 4,645,649 8,999,737 66.0 72.8 9.9 28.9 25.9 17.9 17.51994 13,790,997 4,639,089 9,151,908 66.4 72.8 9.8 28.3 26.2 17.9 17.8



TABLE Bf422–431 Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance – benefits in current-payment status for maleretired-worker beneficiaries, by age: 1940–1998 Continued







1995 13,913,531 4,559,535 9,353,996 67.2 72.9 9.5 28.0 26.1 18.3 18.11996 14,010,875 4,478,565 9,532,310 68.0 73.1 9.2 27.6 25.8 18.9 18.51997 14,116,818 4,371,503 9,745,315 69.0 73.2 9.0 27.2 25.8 19.2 18.81998 14,200,826 4,371,895 9,828,931 69.2 73.3 9.0 26.6 25.6 19.5 19.2

1 Data reported in 1988 and 1990–1996 for series Bf426–431 are based on a 10 percentsample.

SourcesU.S. Social Security Administration, Social Security Bulletin, Annual StatisticalSupplement (1981), Table 81, p. 149; (1988), Table 5.B5, p. 184, Table 5.B8,p. 184; (1997), Table 5.B5, p. 211, Table 5.B8, p. 211; (1999), Table 5.B5,p. 206, Table 5B.8, p. 209.

DocumentationFor additional information about the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability In-surance (OASDI) program, see the text for Table Bf377–394.

This table provides information on the number of male retired workerswho receive benefits under the OASDI program. Men became eligible to drawreduced OASDI benefits at age 62 in 1961. The OASDI tables do not includea number of persons receiving Railroad Retirement benefits who would beeligible for Social Security benefits had they applied.

TABLE Bf432–441 Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance – benefits in current-payment status for femaleretired-worker beneficiaries, by age: 1940–19981








1940 13,000 13,000 — — 68.1 — 82.6 12.8 3.9 0.61941 25,000 25,000 — — 68.9 — 75.2 18.2 5.4 1.21942 36,000 36,000 — — 69.5 — 68.4 23.5 6.5 1.61943 45,000 45,000 — — 70.0 — 60.4 29.8 7.8 1.91944 55,000 55,000 — — 70.5 — 52.6 36.1 9.1 2.3

1945 71,000 71,000 — — 70.8 — 47.1 40.0 10.2 2.61946 92,000 92,000 — — 71.1 — 43.3 42.5 11.2 3.01947 119,000 119,000 — — 71.4 — 41.2 42.6 13.0 3.31948 148,000 148,000 — — 71.6 — 39.9 41.3 15.0 3.71949 186,000 186,000 — — 71.7 — 39.8 39.0 17.0 4.2

1950 302,000 302,000 — — 71.1 — 48.4 32.9 15.0 3.71951 459,000 459,000 — — 70.8 — 51.5 30.6 14.2 3.71952 592,000 592,000 — — 71.0 — 50.2 30.9 14.7 4.11953 784,000 784,000 — — 71.1 — 49.8 30.9 14.8 4.61954 972,000 972,000 — — 71.2 — 49.0 31.2 14.8 5.0

1955 1,222,000 1,222,000 — — 71.3 — 47.8 32.3 14.6 5.21956 1,540,159 1,425,130 115,029 7.5 70.9 7.3 42.5 30.7 14.0 5.51957 1,999,000 1,613,000 386,000 19.3 70.5 13.3 39.7 28.2 13.4 5.51958 2,303,000 1,735,000 569,000 24.7 70.7 13.0 38.3 28.7 13.9 6.11959 2,589,000 1,825,000 764,000 29.5 70.8 12.9 37.5 28.8 14.4 6.6

1960 2,844,801 1,895,597 949,204 33.4 71.0 12.6 36.3 29.0 15.0 7.21961 3,160,000 1,977,000 1,183,000 37.4 71.1 13.0 35.4 28.5 15.4 7.61962 3,494,000 2,060,000 1,434,000 41.0 71.2 13.3 34.3 28.5 15.7 8.21963 3,766,000 2,111,000 1,655,000 44.0 71.4 13.0 33.5 28.3 16.4 8.81964 4,011,000 2,138,000 1,873,000 46.7 71.6 12.9 32.3 28.1 17.1 9.5



TABLE Bf432–441 Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance – benefits in current-payment status for femaleretired-worker beneficiaries, by age: 1940–1998 Continued







1965 4,275,506 2,192,220 2,083,286 48.7 71.8 12.2 31.6 28.1 17.6 10.51966 4,624,000 2,307,000 2,317,000 50.1 72.1 11.8 31.0 27.7 18.1 11.41967 4,859,000 2,338,000 2,521,000 51.9 72.2 11.4 30.7 27.1 18.7 12.11968 5,111,000 2,345,000 2,766,000 54.1 72.3 11.3 30.4 26.5 18.8 13.11969 5,363,000 2,321,000 3,042,000 56.7 72.4 11.4 30.3 25.8 18.8 13.8

1970 5,660,715 2,351,895 3,308,820 58.5 72.0 11.5 30.1 25.4 18.7 14.41971 5,975,130 2,371,290 3,603,840 60.3 72.1 11.7 30.2 24.7 18.4 15.11972 6,324,628 2,402,222 3,922,406 62.0 72.0 11.9 30.3 24.5 17.9 15.51973 6,754,201 2,526,938 4,227,263 62.6 72.0 11.9 30.7 24.2 17.3 15.81974 7,126,251 2,525,675 4,600,576 64.6 72.1 11.8 30.6 24.2 17.0 16.4

1975 7,424,353 2,527,259 4,897,094 66.0 72.2 11.8 30.4 24.2 16.9 16.71976 7,744,756 2,670,201 5,074,555 65.5 72.3 11.6 30.2 24.4 16.7 17.11977 8,108,669 2,672,843 5,435,826 67.0 72.3 11.7 30.0 24.3 16.7 17.31978 8,429,522 2,684,147 5,745,375 68.2 72.5 11.3 29.7 24.4 16.8 17.81979 8,777,697 2,772,090 6,005,607 68.4 72.5 11.2 29.5 24.3 17.0 17.9

1980 9,101,350 2,810,659 6,290,691 69.1 72.6 11.2 29.2 24.2 17.1 18.31981 9,428,000 2,838,899 6,589,482 69.9 72.7 11.1 28.9 24.0 17.4 18.61982 9,733,000 2,899,564 6,833,824 70.2 72.8 11.2 28.3 24.0 17.5 19.01983 10,060,000 2,989,500 7,070,890 70.3 72.9 11.1 28.0 23.9 17.6 19.41984 10,334,000 3,034,277 7,299,273 70.6 73.1 11.1 27.2 24.0 17.8 19.9

1985 10,614,974 3,065,482 7,549,492 71.1 73.3 11.0 26.9 23.9 17.9 20.21986 10,900,572 3,089,833 7,811,739 71.7 73.3 10.8 26.7 23.8 18.0 20.71987 11,144,650 3,102,818 8,041,832 72.2 73.4 10.7 26.4 23.6 18.1 21.21988 11,371,264 3,136,139 8,235,125 72.4 73.5 10.5 26.0 23.6 18.2 21.71989 11,608,179 3,185,150 8,423,029 72.6 73.6 10.2 26.1 23.1 18.4 22.2

1990 11,854,268 3,247,328 8,606,940 72.6 73.7 9.9 25.9 23.0 18.5 22.71991 12,065,943 3,306,543 8,759,400 72.6 73.9 9.5 25.4 23.2 18.6 23.21992 12,287,225 3,370,997 8,916,228 72.6 74.0 9.3 25.2 23.1 18.5 23.81993 12,458,919 3,423,336 9,035,583 72.5 74.1 9.0 24.9 23.0 18.6 24.41994 12,616,759 3,470,886 9,145,873 72.5 74.2 9.0 24.3 23.2 18.4 25.0

1995 12,759,275 3,381,828 9,377,447 73.5 74.3 8.8 24.0 23.2 18.5 25.41996 12,887,197 3,305,513 9,581,684 74.4 74.4 8.7 23.6 22.9 18.8 25.91997 13,157,754 3,301,783 9,855,971 74.9 74.5 8.6 23.2 23.0 19.0 26.31998 13,309,709 3,327,769 9,981,940 75.0 74.6 8.7 22.8 22.8 19.0 26.7

1 Data in 1988, 1990–1996 for series Bf436–441 are based on a 10 percent sample.

SourcesSocial Security Bulletin, Annual Statistical Supplement (1981), Table 81, p. 149;(1988), Table 5.B5, p. 184, Table 5B.8, p. 184; (1999) Table 5.B5, p. 206,Table 5B.8, p. 209.

DocumentationFor additional information about the Old-Age, Survivors, and DisabilityInsurance (OASDI) program, see the text for Table Bf377–394.

The OASDI tables do not include a number of persons receiving RailroadRetirement benefits who would be eligible for Social Security benefits hadthey applied.

This table provides information on the number of female retired workerswho receive benefits under the OASDI program. Women became eligible toreceive reduced benefits from the OASI program at age 62 in 1956.


TABLE Bf442–460 Old-Age, Survivors Insurance trust fund – receipts, expenditures, and assets: 1937–1998Contributed by Price V. Fishback and Melissa A. Thomasson

Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund

Receipts Expenditures

Paymentsfrom the Transfers to

general fund RailroadNet Taxation of of the Benefit Administrative Retirement

Total contributions benefits Treasury Net interest Total payments expenses program



1937 767 765 — — 2 1 1 — —1938 375 360 — — 15 10 10 — —1939 607 580 — — 27 14 14 — —

1940 368 325 — — 43 61 35 26 —1941 845 789 — — 56 114 88 26 —1942 1,085 1,012 — — 72 159 131 28 —1943 1,328 1,239 — — 88 195 166 29 —1944 1,422 1,316 — — 107 238 209 29 —

1945 1,420 1,285 — — 134 304 274 30 —1946 1,447 1,295 — — 152 418 378 40 —1947 1,722 1,557 — 1 164 512 466 46 —1948 1,969 1,685 — 3 281 607 556 51 —1949 1,816 1,666 — 4 146 721 667 54 —

1950 2,928 2,667 — 4 257 1,022 961 61 —1951 3,784 3,363 — 4 417 1,966 1,885 81 —1952 4,184 3,819 — — 365 2,282 2,194 88 —1953 4,359 3,945 — — 414 3,094 3,006 88 —1954 5,610 5,163 — — 447 3,741 3,670 92 −21

1955 6,167 5,713 — — 454 5,079 4,968 119 −71956 6,697 6,172 — — 526 5,841 5,715 132 −51957 7,381 6,825 — — 556 7,507 7,347 162 −21958 8,117 7,566 — — 552 8,646 8,327 194 1241959 8,584 8,052 — — 532 10,308 9,842 184 282

1960 11,382 10,866 — — 516 11,198 10,677 203 3181961 11,833 11,285 — — 548 12,432 11,862 239 3321962 12,585 12,059 — — 526 13,973 13,356 256 3611963 15,063 14,541 — — 521 14,920 14,217 281 4231964 16,258 15,689 — — 569 15,613 14,914 296 403

1965 16,610 16,017 — — 593 17,501 16,737 328 4361966 21,302 20,580 — 78 644 18,967 18,267 256 4441967 24,034 23,138 — 78 818 20,382 19,468 406 5081968 25,040 23,719 — 382 939 23,557 22,643 476 4381969 29,554 27,947 — 442 1,165 25,176 24,210 474 491

1970 32,220 30,256 — 449 1,515 29,848 28,798 471 5791971 35,877 33,723 — 488 1,667 34,542 33,414 514 6131972 40,050 37,781 — 475 1,794 38,522 37,124 674 7241973 48,344 45,975 — 442 1,928 47,175 45,745 647 7831974 54,688 52,081 — 447 2,159 53,397 51,623 865 909

1975 59,605 56,816 — 425 2,364 60,395 58,517 896 9821976 66,276 63,362 — 614 2,301 67,876 65,705 959 1,2121977 72,412 69,572 — 613 2,227 75,309 73,121 981 1,2081978 78,094 75,471 — 615 2,008 83,064 80,361 1,115 1,5891979 90,274 87,919 — 557 1,797 93,133 90,573 1,113 1,448

1980 105,841 103,456 — 540 1,845 107,678 105,083 1,154 1,4421981 125,362 122,627 — 675 2,060 126,695 123,803 1,307 1,5851982 125,198 123,673 — 680 845 142,119 138,806 1,519 1,7931983 150,584 138,337 — 5,541 6,706 153,999 149,221 1,528 2,2511984 169,328 164,122 2,835 105 2,266 161,883 157,841 1,638 2,404

(continued)


TABLE Bf442–460 Old-Age, Survivors Insurance trust fund – receipts, expenditures, and assets: 1937–1998Continued

Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund


Paymentsfrom the Transfers to

general fund RailroadNet Taxation of of the Benefit Administrative Retirement

Total contributions benefits Treasury Net interest Total payments expenses program



1985 184,239 176,958 3,208 2,203 1,871 171,150 167,248 1,592 2,3101986 197,394 190,741 3,424 160 3,069 181,000 176,813 1,601 2,5851987 210,737 202,735 3,257 55 4,690 187,668 183,587 1,524 2,5571988 240,770 229,775 3,384 43 7,568 200,020 195,454 1,776 2,7901989 264,653 250,195 2,439 34 11,985 212,489 207,971 1,673 2,845

1990 286,652 267,530 4,848 −2,089 16,363 227,519 222,987 1,563 2,9691991 299,286 272,574 5,864 19 20,829 245,634 240,467 1,792 3,3751992 311,161 280,992 5,852 14 24,303 259,861 254,883 1,830 3,1481993 323,277 290,905 5,335 10 27,027 273,104 267,755 1,996 3,3531994 328,271 293,323 4,995 7 29,946 284,133 279,068 1,645 3,420

1995 342,801 304,620 5,490 −129 32,820 297,760 291,630 2,077 4,0521996 363,741 321,557 6,471 7 35,706 308,217 302,861 1,802 3,5541997 397,169 349,946 7,426 2 39,795 322,073 316,257 2,128 3,6881998 424,848 371,207 9,149 1 44,491 332,324 326,762 1,899 3,662

(continued)

Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund Disability Insurance trust fund

Receipts ExpendituresAssetsinvested in

U.S.Total assets government Cash Net Benefit Other Assets(year end) securities balances Total contributions Other sources Total payments expenditures (year end)


Year Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars

1937 766 513 253 — — — — — — —1938 1,132 862 269 — — — — — — —1939 1,724 1,435 289 — — — — — — —

1940 2,031 2,017 14 — — — — — — —1941 2,762 2,736 26 — — — — — — —1942 3,688 3,655 33 — — — — — — —1943 4,820 4,779 42 — — — — — — —1944 6,005 5,967 38 — — — — — — —

1945 7,121 7,054 66 — — — — — — —1946 8,150 8,079 71 — — — — — — —1947 9,360 9,268 92 — — — — — — —1948 10,722 10,556 166 — — — — — — —1949 11,816 11,728 88 — — — — — — —

1950 13,721 13,331 391 — — — — — — —1951 15,540 15,017 522 — — — — — — —1952 17,442 16,960 481 — — — — — — —1953 18,707 18,291 416 — — — — — — —1954 20,576 19,863 713 — — — — — — —

1955 21,663 21,102 561 — — — — — — —1956 22,519 21,831 689 — — — — — — —1957 22,393 21,566 827 709 702 7 59 57 2 6491958 21,864 20,953 911 991 966 25 261 249 12 1,3791959 20,141 19,151 990 931 891 40 485 457 28 1,825

1960 20,324 19,128 1,196 1,063 1,010 53 600 568 32 2,2891961 19,725 18,404 1,321 1,104 1,038 66 956 887 69 2,4371962 18,337 17,060 1,277 1,114 1,046 68 1,183 1,105 78 2,3681963 18,480 17,154 1,327 1,165 1,099 66 1,297 1,210 87 2,2351964 19,125 17,758 1,367 1,218 1,154 64 1,407 1,309 98 2,047

(continued)



Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund Disability Insurance trust fund

Receipts ExpendituresAssetsinvested in

U.S.Total assets government Cash Net Benefit Other Assets(year end) securities balances Total contributions Other sources Total payments expenditures (year end)


Year Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars

1965 18,235 16,643 1,592 1,247 1,188 59 1,687 1,573 114 1,6061966 20,570 18,789 1,781 2,079 2,006 73 1,947 1,784 163 1,7391967 24,222 22,513 1,708 2,379 2,286 93 2,089 1,950 139 2,0291968 25,704 23,258 2,446 3,454 3,316 138 2,458 2,311 147 3,0251969 30,082 27,886 2,197 3,792 3,599 193 2,716 2,557 159 4,100

1970 32,454 29,935 2,519 4,774 4,481 293 3,259 3,085 174 5,6141971 33,789 — — 5,031 4,620 411 4,000 3,783 217 6,6451972 35,318 — — 5,572 5,107 465 4,759 4,502 257 7,4571973 36,487 — — 6,443 5,932 511 5,973 5,764 209 7,9271974 37,777 — — 7,378 6,826 552 7,196 6,957 239 8,109

1975 36,987 — — 8,035 7,444 591 8,790 8,505 285 7,3541976 35,388 — — 8,757 8,233 524 10,366 10,055 311 5,7451977 32,491 — — 9,570 9,138 432 11,945 11,547 398 3,3701978 27,520 — — 13,810 13,413 397 12,954 12,599 355 4,2261979 24,660 — — 15,590 15,114 476 14,186 13,786 400 5,630

1980 22,823 — — 13,871 13,255 616 15,872 15,515 357 3,6291981 21,490 — — 17,078 16,738 340 17,658 17,192 466 3,0491982 22,088 — — 22,715 21,995 720 17,992 17,376 616 2,6911983 19,672 — — 20,682 17,991 2,691 18,177 17,524 653 5,1951984 27,117 — — 17,309 15,945 1,364 18,546 17,898 648 3,959

1985 35,842 — — 19,301 17,191 2,110 19,478 18,827 651 6,3211986 39,081 — — 19,439 18,399 1,040 20,522 19,853 669 7,7801987 62,149 — — 20,303 19,691 612 21,425 20,519 906 6,6581988 102,899 — — 22,699 22,039 660 22,494 21,695 799 6,8641989 155,063 — — 24,795 23,993 802 23,753 22,911 842 7,905

1990 214,197 — — 28,791 28,539 252 25,616 24,829 787 11,0791991 267,849 — — 30,390 29,137 1,253 28,571 27,695 876 12,8981992 319,150 — — 31,430 30,136 1,294 32,004 31,112 892 12,3241993 369,322 — — 32,301 31,185 1,116 35,662 34,613 1,049 8,9631994 413,460 — — 52,841 51,373 1,468 38,879 37,744 1,135 22,925

1995 458,502 — — 56,696 54,401 2,295 42,055 40,923 1,132 37,5661996 514,028 — — 60,710 57,325 3,385 45,351 44,189 1,162 52,9241997 589,121 — — 60,499 56,037 4,462 47,034 45,695 1,339 66,3891998 681,645 — — 64,357 58,966 5,390 49,931 48,207 1,724 80,815

SourceU.S. Social Security Administration, Social Security Bulletin: Annual Statistical Sup-plement (1999), Tables 4.A1 and 4.A2, pp. 159–160. For series Bf452–453,April issues of the Social Security Bulletin.

DocumentationSee also the text for Table Bf377–394.

The Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) taxes collectedfrom employees, employers, and the self-employed are credited to the Old-Age, Survivors Insurance (OASI) and Disability Insurance (DI) trust funds.Benefits are financed principally through these contributions on a pay-as-you-go basis. In addition, the trust funds receive income from the following:interest on investments of trust fund assets in securities issued or guaran-teed by the U.S. government; federal general revenues to finance the cost ofbenefits attributable to military and other gratuitous wage credits; revenuesresulting from the inclusion of Social Security benefits in adjusted gross in-come for federal income tax purposes; and special age-72 benefits (coveredby transfers from the general fund of payments for costs of benefits to cer-tain uninsured persons who attained age 72 before 1972). The OASI programis currently administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Priorto 1995, SSA was a component of the Department of Health and HumanServices.



Series Bf443 and Bf455. Beginning in 1983, the net contributions to theOASI and DI trust funds include transfers from the general fund of the Trea-sury representing contributions that would have been paid on deemed wagecredits for military service in 1957 and later if such credits were consideredto be covered wages.

Series Bf445 and Bf456. Includes payments for the following: in 1947–1951(OASI) and in 1966 and later (both funds), costs of noncontributory wagecredits for military service performed before 1957; in 1971–1982, costs ofdeemed wage credits for military service performed after 1956; and start-ing in 1968 (OASI only), costs of benefits to certain uninsured persons whoattained age 72 before 1968.

Series Bf446 and Bf456. Includes net profits or losses on marketable in-vestments. Beginning in 1967, administrative expenses are charged currentlyto the trust fund on an estimated basis with a final adjustment, includinginterest, made in the following fiscal year. Beginning in October 1973 for theOASI fund and in July 1974 for the DI fund, the figures shown in series Bf446and Bf456 include relatively small amounts of gifts to the fund. Figures forthe period 1983–1986 reflect payments from a borrowing trust fund to

(continued)



a lending trust fund for interest on amounts owed under the interfund bor-rowing provisions. During 1983–1990 the series reflect interest paid from thetrust fund to the general fund on advance tax transfers. Finally, the amountshown for the OASI fund in series Bf446 for 1985 includes an interest adjust-ment of $88 million on unnegotiated checks issued prior to April 1985. Forthe DI fund in series Bf456, the amount shown for 1985 includes an inter-est adjustment of $14.8 million on unnegotiated checks issued before April1985. In 1987, other receipts from the DI trust fund, series Bf456, include$195 million in transfers from the DI trust fund to the general fund of theTreasury to correct estimated amounts transferred for calendar years 1984and 1985.

Series Bf452–453. Unavailable after 1970.


Series Bf456. Other receipts in the DI trust fund include income from tax-ation of benefits, payments from the general fund of the Treasury, and netinterest.


Series Bf458. Benefit payments from the DI trust fund include paymentsfor vocational rehabilitation services furnished to disabled persons receivingbenefits because of their disabilities. Beginning in 1983, amounts are reducedby amount of reimbursement for unnegotiated benefit checks.

Series Bf459. Other expenditures of the DI trust fund include administrativeexpenses and transfers to the Railroad Retirement program.


TAB

LEB

f461

–475

Old

-Age

,Sur

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ility

Insu

ranc

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aver

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mon

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Bf4

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Bf4

65B

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Bf4

67B

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Bf4

69B

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Bf4

71B

f472

Bf4

73B

f474

Bf4

75

Year

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

1940

22.1

22.8

18.4

36.4

20.3

33.9

47.1

51.3

——

——

——

41.2

1941

22.2

22.9

18.5

36.3

20.2

33.7

46.6

51.0

——

——

——

41.6

1942

22.5

23.3

18.7

36.8

20.2

33.9

46.5

50.7

——

——

——

42.0

1943

22.9

23.8

19.1

37.5

20.2

34.2

46.9

50.4

——

——

——

42.4

1944

23.0

24.1

19.3

37.9

20.2

34.4

47.3

50.1

——

——

——

42.8

1945

23.5

24.5

19.5

38.5

20.2

34.1

47.7

50.4

——

——

——

43.2

1946

23.9

24.9

19.6

39.0

20.2

34.6

48.2

51.4

——

——

——

43.6

1947

24.2

25.3

19.9

39.6

20.4

35.4

48.8

52.2

——

——

——

44.0

1948

24.6

25.8

20.1

40.4

20.6

36.0

49.8

53.0

——

——

——

44.4

1949

25.3

26.5

20.6

41.4

20.8

36.5

50.4

54.0

——

——

——

44.8

1950

42.2

44.6

34.8

71.7

36.5

76.9

93.9

92.4

——

——

——

45.2

1951

40.3

43.2

33.0

70.2

36.0

77.3

93.8

92.0

——

——

——

68.5

1952

47.1

50.7

39.1

81.6

40.7

87.5

106.

010

1.3

——

——

——

68.5

1953

48.8

52.9

40.6

85.0

40.9

90.1

111.

910

9.0

——

——

——

85.0

1954

56.5

61.6

47.0

99.1

46.3

103.

913

0.5

126.

8—

——

——

—85

.0

1955

59.1

64.6

49.8

103.

548

.710

6.8

135.

413

3.2

——

——

——

98.5

1956

59.9

66.1

51.1

105.

950

.110

9.9

141.

013

8.7

——

——

——

103.

519

5760

.968

.352

.210

8.4

51.1

114.

314

6.3

144.

872

.873

.569

.8—

——

108.

519

5862

.670

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1.2

51.9

117.

015

1.7

150.

781

.784

.770

.617

0.1

165.

5—

108.

519

5968

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.058

.712

1.6

56.7

129.

717

0.7

178.

687

.991

.976

.118

2.8

188.

313

5.6

116.

0

1960

69.9

79.9

59.6

123.

957

.713

1.7

188.

018

1.7

87.9

91.9

76.9

184.

719

2.2

135.

511

9.0

1961

71.9

81.2

62.0

126.

664

.913

5.0

189.

318

2.8

87.7

91.5

77.7

186.

519

3.8

136.

312

0.0

1962

72.5

81.8

62.6

127.

965

.913

7.3

190.

718

6.8

88.0

92.1

78.1

185.

819

4.7

136.

912

1.0

1963

73.2

82.6

63.4

129.

466

.913

9.4

192.

519

0.4

88.6

92.9

78.8

186.

719

6.1

137.

912

2.0

1964

73.9

83.6

64.3

130.

767

.914

1.6

193.

419

2.1

89.2

93.8

79.3

187.

719

7.1

138.

112

3.0

1965

80.1

90.5

70.0

141.

573

.915

3.0

219.

821

8.1

95.4

100.

785

.020

1.0

216.

314

5.9

131.

719

6680

.691

.270

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2.5

74.3

154.

322

1.9

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895

.810

1.2

85.2

202.

021

7.8

146.

013

2.7

1967

81.7

92.5

71.9

144.

275

.215

5.9

224.

422

1.7

96.2

101.

885

.520

2.9

217.

314

6.0

135.

919

6895

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7.1

84.2

166.

386

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9.0

257.

125

3.4

109.

211

5.6

97.2

229.

724

2.0

167.

415

6.0

1969

96.6

109.

085

.716

8.9

87.8

182.

225

5.8

253.

610

9.9

116.

697

.623

0.7

241.

316

9.7

160.

5

1970

114.

212

8.7

101.

619

8.9

102.

421

3.0

291.

128

9.9

128.

113

6.3

113.

126

4.1

273.

219

9.2

189.

819

7112

7.4

143.

711

3.3

222.

311

4.4

238.

332

0.0

315.

614

2.7

152.

612

4.9

290.

229

6.7

221.

621

3.1

1972

157.

117

7.0

140.

227

2.5

138.

329

0.0

383.

137

6.1

175.

018

8.2

151.

835

6.3

362.

827

4.2

216.

119

7316

1.6

180.

114

6.0

276.

715

8.4

297.

839

1.0

377.

917

8.2

192.

815

3.2

364.

836

7.2

278.

626

6.1

1974

183.

120

4.2

164.

631

2.3

178.

833

5.0

438.

442

1.9

200.

021

7.8

170.

640

9.9

411.

331

4.0

274.

6

(con

tinu

ed)


BLE

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Bf4

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69B

f470

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71B

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73B

f474

Bf4

75

Year

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

1975

201.

622

5.5

181.

834

3.9

195.

936

7.2

468.

646

1.8

218.

924

0.0

185.

044

1.0

454.

034

4.0

316.

319

7621

8.8

245.

119

7.1

373.

121

1.0

399.

850

3.4

499.

723

7.4

261.

419

9.4

482.

249

5.7

377.

036

4.0

1977

236.

826

5.9

213.

140

4.4

226.

543

6.8

546.

653

8.6

265.

528

3.8

213.

852

5.8

538.

140

7.5

412.

719

7825

6.6

288.

923

0.3

437.

524

3.6

474.

059

1.9

582.

827

7.9

308.

523

0.2

568.

058

5.9

443.

045

9.8

1979

287.

032

4.0

257.

148

8.6

270.

353

2.9

655.

064

6.7

308.

934

3.6

254.

863

2.7

655.

749

7.1

503.

4

1980

333.

037

7.1

297.

456

6.6

311.

661

2.8

759.

274

0.5

355.

439

6.2

291.

772

7.0

746.

157

3.0

572.

019

81—

——

——

——

——

——

——

—67

7.0

1982

408.

946

5.5

362.

970

2.5

379.

073

5.6

885.

586

7.9

424.

247

4.2

344.

784

7.4

858.

269

0.7

679.

319

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9.7

490.

038

0.4

742.

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0.6

774.

892

3.0

884.

543

9.4

490.

935

5.4

867.

988

1.8

716.

270

9.5

1984

448.

251

1.6

396.

478

1.2

416.

380

5.3

948.

390

6.6

454.

050

7.6

365.

788

1.5

885.

574

0.4

703.

6

1985

465.

853

1.8

412.

081

3.9

434.

382

9.6

981.

592

4.9

466.

952

3.1

374.

689

8.1

895.

276

5.0

717.

219

8647

5.2

542.

642

0.1

831.

344

4.9

841.

799

4.0

939.

847

0.7

527.

837

7.4

896.

988

8.3

773.

376

0.1

1987

499.

257

0.4

440.

887

3.3

468.

788

2.1

1,03

2.3

968.

949

1.6

552.

039

2.6

929.

491

8.3

815.

578

9.2

1988

522.

759

7.2

461.

791

4.1

493.

692

1.8

1,07

0.4

1,01

2.9

512.

257

6.1

409.

596

0.2

938.

485

5.4

838.

619

8955

2.1

630.

748

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652

2.8

967.

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120.

01,

064.

653

9.3

607.

143

1.2

1,00

9.4

971.

990

3.7

899.

6

1990

588.

367

1.9

519.

11,

026.

655

7.9

1,02

0.2

1,17

7.7

1,12

4.6

570.

464

2.8

456.

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0.8

975.

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9161

4.7

702.

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91,

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81,

216.

81,

160.

659

2.3

668.

447

5.5

1,09

8.0

1,04

3.3

1,00

4.7

1,02

2.9

1992

637.

872

8.1

562.

31,

110.

560

9.0

1,08

6.9

1,25

2.4

1,19

0.8

609.

568

8.7

490.

71,

122.

11,

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41,

045.

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088.

719

9365

9.1

751.

958

1.2

1,14

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632.

21,

114.

21,

282.

61,

229.

462

5.5

707.

250

6.0

1,14

3.0

1,07

4.2

1,07

8.2

1,12

8.8

1994

682.

377

7.8

601.

81,

183.

765

7.1

1,15

0.1

1,32

8.4

1,27

1.0

646.

273

1.8

525.

01,

177.

61,

100.

01,

118.

61,

147.

5

1995

704.

880

3.0

621.

81,

220.

668

1.6

1,18

4.5

1,36

5.5

1,29

9.8

667.

675

7.4

544.

81,

205.

51,

130.

91,

159.

91,

199.

119

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164

4.2

1,26

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708.

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61,

347.

269

0.6

785.

356

6.0

1,24

5.9

1,14

8.5

1,20

0.6

1,24

8.9

1997

750.

285

3.7

663.

11,

294.

673

3.2

1,25

0.3

1,50

2.6

1,35

8.0

708.

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6.6

583.

61,

280.

21,

165.

91,

238.

51,

326.

619

9876

5.1

870.

567

6.4

1,31

7.7

750.

91,

277.

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537.

71,

393.

272

0.0

820.

259

7.4

1,30

0.4

1,18

9.4

1,26

1.9

1,34

2.8

1999

——

——

——

——

——

——

——

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3.1

Sour

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TABLE Bf461–475 Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance – average monthly family benefit, by selected familygroups: 1940–1999 Continued

Spouses of retired or disabled workers are eligible for monthly benefitsat age 62. Their benefits are equal to 50 percent of the worker’s PIA for thefirst entitlement at the normal retirement age but are permanently reducedif payments begin earlier. The annual rate of reduction is 81/3 percent for thefirst three years and, eventually, 5 percent for the next two years. Children ofretired or disabled workers are also eligible to receive monthly benefits equalto 50 percent of the worker’s PIA, as are spouses younger than age 65 whoare caring for at least one child younger than age 16 or disabled child age 18or older of the worker.

Widows and widowers of fully insured workers are first eligible formonthly benefits at age 60, or at age 50 if they are disabled. The benefitamount payable to widows and widowers first entitled to benefits at age 60or before is equal to 71.5 percent of the worker’s PIA, plus any delayed retire-ment credit the deceased worker would be receiving. For those widows andwidowers first entitled to benefits at age 62 or later, the benefit is limited (ifthe worker had received benefits before normal retirement age) to the greaterof the amount the worker would be receiving if still living, or 82.5 percent ofthe PIA.

Children of deceased workers are eligible to receive monthly benefitsequal to 75 percent of the worker’s PIA, as are mothers and fathers youngerthan age 65 who are caring for at least one child younger than age 16 or adisabled child. A dependent parent age 62 or older is eligible for monthly ben-efits equal to 82.5 percent, and each of two dependent parents, for benefitsequal to 75 percent of the deceased worker’s PIA. For detailed information,consult the Social Security Bulletin, Annual Statistical Supplement (1997), p. 59.

Series Bf464 and Bf472–473. For series Bf464, a wife’s entitlement is basedon her age. In the disabled-worker categories, a wife’s entitlement is basedon care of children.

Series Bf475. Assumes the workers began to work at age 22, retired at thebeginning of the year, and had no prior period of disability. The observa-tion in 1968 is effective in February of that year. In 1982, the figure wasderived from the transitional guarantee computation based on the 1978 PIAtable. The benefit for women was identical except for the period 1962 to1977, when the male maximum was approximately 97 percent of the femalemaximum.

TABLE Bf476–483 Old-Age, Survivors, Disability, and Health Insurance – average monthly benefit received by retiredworkers, by sex: 1940–1998


Men Women

With reduction for With reduction forearly retirement early retirement

Without Withoutreduction reductionfor early Before After for early Before After

All benefits retirement reduction reduction All benefits retirement reduction reduction


Year Dollars Dollars Dollars Dollars Dollars Dollars Dollars Dollars

1940 23.17 23.17 — — 18.37 18.37 — —1941 23.32 23.32 — — 18.48 18.48 — —1942 23.71 23.71 — — 18.73 18.73 — —1943 24.17 24.17 — — 19.06 19.06 — —1944 24.48 24.48 — — 19.35 19.35 — —

1945 24.94 24.94 — — 19.51 19.51 — —1946 25.30 25.30 — — 19.64 19.64 — —1947 25.68 25.68 — — 19.91 19.91 — —1948 26.21 26.21 — — 20.11 20.11 — —1949 26.92 26.92 — — 20.58 20.58 — —

1950 45.67 45.67 — — 35.05 35.05 — —1951 44.44 44.44 — — 33.03 33.03 — —1952 52.16 52.16 — — 39.17 39.17 — —1953 54.46 54.46 — — 40.66 40.66 — —1954 63.34 63.34 — — 47.05 47.05 — —

1955 66.40 66.40 — — 49.93 49.93 — —1956 68.23 68.23 — — 51.16 51.16 53.64 48.201957 70.47 70.47 — — 52.23 52.98 55.33 49.081958 72.74 72.74 — — 53.55 54.62 57.06 50.271959 80.11 80.11 — — 58.81 60.34 63.18 55.16

1960 81.90 81.90 — — 59.70 61.60 64.19 55.801961 83.13 83.84 76.94 69.01 62.00 64.87 65.84 57.201962 33.79 85.26 80.03 71.24 62.61 66.10 66.41 57.591963 84.69 36.81 81.63 72.21 63.42 67.48 67.11 58.231964 85.58 88.37 82.72 72.85 64.28 69.01 67.88 58.87

1965 92.60 96.10 90.14 79.40 70.10 75.40 73.82 64.501966 93.26 97.37 90.98 80.26 70.79 76.40 75.47 65.211967 94.49 99.33 92.53 81.53 71.92 78.28 76.46 66.011968 109.08 115.02 106.95 95.29 84.24 91.89 88.90 77.751969 110.96 117.78 109.16 97.06 85.71 94.51 90.13 78.99



TABLE Bf476–483 Old-Age, Survivors, Disability, and Health Insurance – average monthly benefit received by retiredworkers, by sex: 1940–1998 Continued

Men Women

With reduction for With reduction forearly retirement early retirement

Without Withoutreduction reductionfor early Before After for early Before After

All benefits retirement reduction reduction All benefits retirement reduction reduction


Year Dollars Dollars Dollars Dollars Dollars Dollars Dollars Dollars

1970 130.53 139.10 128.89 115.30 101.20 111.70 105.60 93.771971 146.13 156.39 144.06 129.84 113.60 126.24 118.05 105.291972 179.44 192.37 176.93 161.04 140.11 156.20 144.53 130.261973 182.60 197.00 181.00 164.20 145.80 164.00 148.84 135.001974 206.56 223.55 205.80 186.91 165.47 186.21 171.40 154.09

1975 227.80 247.20 228.20 207.20 181.80 205.90 190.57 169.381976 247.70 269.81 249.60 226.30 197.08 223.51 200.14 183.171977 268.40 293.20 271.90 246.24 212.60 242.50 222.10 197.831978 291.60 319.90 296.60 267.85 229.70 263.80 240.50 213.811979 326.80 359.30 332.60 299.95 256.50 296.70 262.90 237.99

1980 380.20 419.60 — 349.50 296.80 346.50 — 274.601981 1 431.10 479.50 — 395.10 334.50 394.00 — 308.801982 469.60 528.20 — 426.90 362.20 432.60 — 332.401983 495.00 565.50 — 444.30 379.60 460.50 — 345.401984 517.80 598.30 — 462.70 396.50 487.00 — 358.90

1985 538.40 627.50 — 480.50 412.10 511.00 — 372.001986 549.80 644.60 — 491.00 420.50 525.10 — 379.101987 1 577.50 679.20 — 516.90 441.20 553.70 — 397.701988 604.90 713.40 — 542.40 462.00 582.60 — 416.201989 638.90 755.20 — 573.80 487.90 617.10 — 439.10

1990 679.30 803.60 — 611.20 518.60 656.80 — 466.401991 709.30 840.50 — 638.90 541.60 687.00 — 486.801992 735.50 872.50 — 663.30 561.80 712.90 — 504.701993 759.30 901.70 — 685.80 580.70 736.90 — 521.501994 785.20 932.80 — 710.50 601.30 762.10 — 540.20

1995 810.20 963.70 — 735.40 621.20 780.40 — 563.801996 838.10 997.80 — 763.10 643.70 788.00 — 593.901997 860.50 1,025.10 — 786.60 662.50 771.30 — 626.101998 876.90 1,044.50 — 802.40 675.90 785.40 — 639.50

1 Data based on unedited monthly estimates.

SourcesSocial Security Bulletin, Annual Statistical Supplement (1971), Table 76, p. 95;(1981), Table 91, pp. 160–1; (1988), Table 5.B8, p. 189; (1999), Table5.B8, p. 209.

DocumentationThis table provides information on the average monthly benefit received byretired workers under the Old-Age, Survivors Insurance program. Benefitspayable to workers who retire at the normal retirement age, currently age65, are equal to 100 percent of the primary insurance amount (PIA). Thenormal retirement age is scheduled to rise gradually from 65 to 67, with thefirst increase affecting workers who reach age 62 in the year 2000. Retiredworkers are eligible to receive benefits at a permanently reduced rate begin-ning at age 62. The extent of reduction depends on the number of benefitpayments received for months before the normal retirement age. The annualrate of reduction amounts to 62/3 percent for each of the first three years,and eventually (after the age for full benefits is established at age 67) 5 per-cent for each of the next two years the worker receives benefits before thenormal retirement age. Workers receiving benefits at age 62 are eligible toreceive benefits equal to 80 percent of the PIA (62/3 multiplied by 3). Thisrate will decline to 75 and 70 percent, respectively, as the normal retirementage increases.

Workers who postpone their retirement beyond the normal retirement agehave their benefits increased through the delayed retirement credit for eachmonth benefits are foregone owing to earnings above the exempt amount.Spouses of retired workers are eligible for monthly benefits at age 62. Theirbenefits are equal to 50 percent of the worker’s PIA for the first entitlementat the normal age but are permanently reduced if payments to the retiredworker begin earlier. The annual rate of reduction is 82/3 percent for the firstthree years, and eventually 5 percent for the next two years the spouse re-ceives benefits before reaching the normal retirement age. Children of retiredworkers are also eligible to receive monthly benefits equal to 50 percent ofthe worker’s PIA, as are spouses younger than age 65 who are caring forat least one child younger than age 16 or disabled child age 18 or older ofthe worker. For more information, see the summary of Old-Age, Survivors,and Disability Insurance benefit types and levels (Social Security Bulletin, AnnualStatistical Supplement, 1997, p. 59).

The OASI tables do not include a number of persons receiving RailroadRetirement benefits who would be eligible for Social Security benefits hadthey applied.

Series Bf478 and Bf482. These series are believed to show what the workerwould have earned upon retirement at age 65 if they had not retired early.The series were no longer reported in the annual statistical supplements after1979.


TAB

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1938

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1942

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312

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1943

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1945

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211

6,00

018

.77

41.6

8.5

250,

440

14.5

445,

867

1,16

1,88

358

,544

,835

6,91

4,01

019

4630

,229

,654

—4,

479,

029

189,

000

18.5

039

.613

.41,

985,

928

18.5

1,09

4,84

591

1,83

663

,690

,396

6,86

0,04

419

4732

,272

,248

1,00

8,73

73,

983,

603

187,

000

17.8

334

.611

.11,

271,

821

17.8

775,

142

1,09

5,52

272

,981

,066

7,30

3,28

719

4833

,084

,302

1,00

1,51

74,

008,

393

210,

000

19.0

334

.110

.71,

027,

530

18.0

789,

931

999,

635

78,5

36,1

647,

602,

964

1949

31,6

95,0

051,

975,

629

7,36

3,76

734

0,00

020

.48

36.0

11.8

1,93

4,70

918

.71,

735,

991

986,

906

76,2

67,2

637,

009,

585

1950

32,8

86,6

941,

503,

050

5,21

1,88

925

2,00

020

.76

34.4

13.0

1,85

3,33

619

.31,

373,

113

1,19

1,43

581

,545

,274

6,97

2,18

119

5134

,857

,403

969,

105

4,12

7,13

421

8,00

021

.09

32.2

10.1

810,

580

17.9

840,

411

1,49

2,50

690

,242

,251

7,78

1,93

019

5235

,576

,997

1,02

4,29

44,

384,

030

222,

000

22.7

933

.010

.493

1,36

219

.399

8,23

81,

367,

676

94,6

69,4

248,

327,

427

1953

36,6

67,1

1599

4,86

54,

227,

616

225,

000

23.5

832

.310

.176

4,42

019

.296

2,21

91,

347,

632

99,6

29,8

858,

912,

680

1954

35,3

71,9

991,

865,

202

6,59

0,46

431

5,00

024

.93

33.5

12.8

1,76

8,92

720

.02,

026,

868

1,13

6,15

196

,539

,455

8,21

8,95

4

1955

36,5

90,2

541,

254,

508

4,50

8,40

423

5,00

025

.04

32.1

12.4

1,27

2,23

120

.31,

350,

264

1,20

8,78

810

1,57

4,71

78,

260,

724

1956

38,9

83,3

561,

212,

182

4,66

5,21

823

5,00

027

.02

33.3

11.4

980,

790

20.0

1,38

0,72

81,

463,

261

109,

817,

323

8,57

3,43

119

5739

,670

,705

1,44

7,46

85,

574,

620

278,

000

28.1

733

.511

.51,

139,

246

20.5

1,73

3,87

61,

544,

233

112,

829,

744

8,65

9,31

219

5838

,110

,003

2,51

3,00

07,

833,

252

369,

000

30.5

435

.314

.82,

506,

896

21.7

3,51

2,73

21,

470,

841

109,

154,

231

6,83

1,29

219

5939

,544

,909

1,66

5,07

15,

816,

912

277,

000

30.4

033

.413

.11,

675,

963

21.7

2,27

9,01

81,

955,

664

115,

302,

625

6,67

4,29

7

1960

40,1

98,1

551,

902,

610

6,75

3,53

133

1,00

032

.87

35.2

12.7

1,60

3,51

821

.42,

726,

849

2,28

8,44

011

9,18

1,57

96,

418,

822

1961

40,0

59,1

632,

286,

604

7,06

7,37

035

0,00

033

.80

35.4

14.7

2,36

6,01

221

.83,

422,

558

2,44

9,94

211

9,34

4,64

95,

567,

780

1962

41,2

86,2

141,

780,

248

6,07

3,47

030

2,00

034

.56

34.9

13.1

1,63

8,46

621

.62,

675,

565

2,95

1,84

112

5,53

7,43

76,

038,

626

1963

42,0

13,5

161,

789,

424

6,04

0,57

729

8,00

035

.28

34.6

13.3

1,57

2,07

121

.62,

775,

222

3,01

8,81

712

9,56

9,19

16,

421,

119

1964

43,2

00,2

521,

602,

940

5,49

7,90

326

8,00

035

.96

33.8

13.0

1,37

0,98

221

.92,

521,

575

3,04

7,28

813

6,33

7,59

57,

090,

270

1965

45,0

98,2

971,

325,

720

4,81

3,22

923

2,00

037

.19

33.8

12.2

1,08

7,38

421

.32,

166,

011

3,05

3,64

614

3,98

8,96

98,

172,

316

1966

47,6

84,2

271,

059,

551

4,13

9,04

120

3,00

039

.76

34.7

11.2

780,

749

21.1

1,77

1,29

23,

030,

126

156,

958,

490

9,66

4,71

219

6748

,792

,640

1,20

3,07

24,

619,

249

225,

635

41.2

534

.711

.486

7,44

620

.92,

092,

364

2,67

8,11

916

1,09

6,70

810

,702

,198

1968

50,3

54,1

241,

109,

204

4,19

6,55

919

8,13

543

.43

34.3

11.6

848,

037

21.2

2,02

9,95

72,

551,

573

171,

389,

505

11,7

15,9

5419

6952

,362

,457

1,10

0,26

94,

212,

022

196,

904

46.1

734

.411

.481

0,71

821

.42,

125,

809

2,54

5,16

118

1,76

2,19

312

,636

,017

1970

52,1

68,4

451,

805,

002

6,39

7,17

329

2,34

650

.31

35.7

12.3

1,30

2,62

822

.13,

847,

312

2,50

5,81

418

2,70

7,42

711

,902

,575

1971

52,0

79,7

212,

165,

758

6,62

7,07

129

3,94

254

.35

36.5

14.4

2,05

7,21

722

.74,

951,

507

2,63

6,59

918

2,75

5,68

49,

725,

314

1972

56,6

18,2

361,

849,

442

5,71

3,20

926

2,75

556

.68

36.7

14.2

1,81

1,37

622

.74,

481,

854

3,89

6,62

023

6,35

5,57

39,

402,

983

1973

59,9

11,0

791,

629,

342

5,32

8,99

824

4,69

259

.00

36.1

13.4

1,49

5,09

222

.54,

005,

191

4,99

5,16

625

4,89

6,17

310

,882

,144

1974

61,2

54,0

892,

258,

700

7,72

9,59

035

5,78

864

.34

36.6

12.6

1,92

6,13

322

.45,

977,

411

5,21

8,96

726

5,37

5,02

410

,520

,181

1975

59,1

43,4

073,

973,

770

11,1

60,9

4847

3,84

670

.23

37.1

15.7

4,19

5,02

322

.411

,753

,643

5,21

0,88

526

1,52

1,63

13,

070,

231

1976

61,2

08,7

662,

990,

703

8,56

0,10

738

1,26

975

.16

37.1

14.9

3,26

2,28

222

.68,

972,

637

7,53

2,07

830

1,10

6,22

387

1,38

019

7763

,602

,710

2,64

7,47

57,

985,

105

375,

962

78.7

936

.414

.22,

776,

387

22.1

8,34

5,94

89,

170,

529

324,

182,

674

950,

381

1978

68,5

65,9

232,

354,

216

7,56

8,31

034

2,82

783

.67

36.4

13.3

2,03

0,42

322

.57,

722,

347

11,1

93,4

4641

1,98

8,79

64,

554,

185

1979

71,6

31,7

252,

424,

513

8,07

5,00

338

4,11

589

.68

36.0

13.1

2,03

7,09

522

.48,

556,

908

12,0

95,0

4144

4,27

8,86

78,

582,

608

(con

tinu

ed)


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Bf4

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Dol

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Per

cent

Wee

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umbe

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dolla

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llars

dolla

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llars

1980

71,2

58,4

553,

355,

747

9,99

2,12

347

9,76

999

.66

36.6

14.9

3,07

1,94

322

.713

,768

,135

11,4

14,6

4945

8,64

3,51

16,

591,

827

1981

71,9

65,9

703,

044,

857

9,40

7,37

245

0,84

610

6.61

35.9

14.4

2,98

9,17

723

.013

,221

,592

11,6

24,5

4547

8,41

4,82

45,

745,

115

1982

70,3

31,8

614,

058,

646

11,6

48,4

4857

9,25

211

9.34

37.7

15.9

4,17

4,70

923

.220

,649

,840

12,2

06,0

7047

7,47

1,93

22,

644,

584

1983

70,8

17,8

633,

394,

666

8,90

7,19

044

1,65

312

3.59

37.2

17.5

4,17

9,62

223

.417

,755

,392

14,5

48,6

6953

2,28

8,68

75,

803,

331

1984

75,2

04,6

212,

474,

809

7,74

2,54

737

1,77

312

3.47

35.5

14.4

2,60

6,14

522

.812

,598

,229

18,7

57,6

9058

6,02

0,26

22,

204,

797

1985

77,4

67,0

122,

616,

958

8,37

2,07

039

0,29

412

8.14

35.3

14.2

2,57

2,05

922

.714

,124

,342

19,2

96,9

8361

1,96

9,89

710

,069

,416

1986

79,0

93,1

522,

642,

644

8,36

0,75

237

6,22

713

5.65

35.8

14.5

2,68

7,72

322

.915

,402

,735

18,1

11,2

6663

8,03

8,51

715

,402

,260

1987

81,3

52,3

962,

300,

399

7,20

3,35

732

6,15

314

0.55

35.5

14.6

2,40

8,47

122

.713

,617

,007

17,5

76,9

7666

7,49

8,81

523

,174

,690

1988

83,9

84,7

762,

080,

582

6,86

0,66

231

2,88

214

4.97

34.9

13.7

1,97

9,28

522

.712

,579

,703

17,7

20,6

2870

5,00

2,39

531

,103

,671

1989

86,1

64,5

952,

157,

666

7,36

8,76

632

8,81

915

1.73

35.4

13.2

1,94

0,39

022

.913

,641

,569

16,4

51,8

7673

8,26

5,10

736

,870

,882

1990

87,0

08,1

892,

521,

564

8,62

8,55

738

7,00

116

1.56

36.0

13.4

2,32

3,25

523

.117

,320

,777

15,2

21,2

7475

9,67

0,53

037

,937

,017

1991

84,9

05,7

823,

341,

935

10,0

74,5

5044

7,59

316

9.88

36.4

15.4

3,47

2,01

923

.224

,582

,501

14,5

10,6

7075

1,66

6,26

830

,488

,785

1992

85,0

98,1

373,

245,

191

9,24

3,33

840

7,34

417

3.64

35.4

16.2

3,83

8,01

123

.323

,956

,510

16,9

72,6

5577

6,50

2,59

525

,846

,579

1993

86,8

50,5

362,

751,

441

7,88

4,32

634

2,30

917

9.62

36.0

15.9

3,20

3,89

723

.420

,687

,678

19,8

31,0

4580

7,16

5,88

528

,001

,956

1994

89,6

90,7

702,

669,

872

7,95

9,28

134

2,73

018

2.16

35.7

15.5

2,97

7,46

823

.220

,433

,832

21,8

02,0

6985

6,25

5,50

931

,343

,551

1995

92,3

28,0

882,

571,

951

8,03

5,22

935

7,04

118

7.29

35.5

14.7

2,66

1,77

323

.120

,122

,189

21,9

70,8

2888

9,90

1,02

835

,403

,296

1996

94,6

85,7

342,

595,

585

7,98

9,61

535

1,36

118

9.45

34.5

14.9

2,73

8,96

323

.220

,634

,904

21,5

77,9

6892

3,89

5,19

938

,631

,922

1997

97,8

37,8

842,

322,

573

7,32

5,27

932

1,51

119

2.76

33.5

14.6

2,48

4,91

123

.018

,605

,353

21,2

47,0

4097

0,11

0,25

343

,833

,157

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,it

was

the

firs

tst

ate

topa

ybe

nefi

ts.B

y19

38,r

ough

ly75

perc

ent

ofpa

yrol

lsw

ere

cove

red

byun

empl

oym

ent

insu

ranc

e.Th

epe

rcen

tage

rose

toa

peak

of98

perc

ent

in19

79an

dfe

llba

ckto

abou

t92

.4pe

rcen

tin

1994

.To

fund

the

syst

em,e

mpl

oyer

spa

yta

xes

onem

ploy

eeea

rnin

gsup

toa

spec

ific

max

imum

per

em-

ploy

eein

each

stat

e.Pa

rtof

the

taxe

s(0

.4pe

rcen

toft

axab

lew

ages

in19

70)

isre

mitt

edto

the

fede

ral

gove

rnm

ent,

whi

chin

turn

prov

ides

gran

tsto

the

stat

esfo

rth

eco

stof

adm

inis

terin

gun

empl

oym

ent

insu

ranc

ean

dem

ploy

men

tse

rvic

es.

The

payr

ollc

ontr

ibut

ion

rate

sfo

rin

divi

dual

empl

oyer

sva

ryto

som

eex

tent

inre

spon

seto

the

unem

ploy

men

tex

perie

nce

ofw

orke

rsin

the

empl

oyer

’sop

erat

ion.

Rei

mbu

rsab

leco

vera

geha

sbe

enex

clud

edfr

omse

ries

Bf4

84an

dB

f493

–495

.How

ever

,the

clai

ms

resu

lting

from

reim

burs

able

cove

rage

have

not

been

excl

uded

from

serie

sB

f485

–486

and

Bf4

88–4

92.

InJu

ne19

62,e

mpl

oyee

sen

gage

din

the

agric

ultu

rala

spec

tsof

the

suga

rca

nein

dust

ryw

how

ere

prev

ious

lyco

vere

dun

der

asp

ecia

lune

mpl

oym

ent

insu

ranc

ela

ww

ere

brou

ght

unde

rth

ePu

erto

Ric

oEm

ploy

men

tSe

curit

yA

ctof

1957

.

Seri

esB

f484

.A

vera

gem

onth

lyco

vere

dem

ploy

men

tre

pres

ents

the

twel

ve-m

onth

aver

age

ofth

eco

v-er

edem

ploy

ees

repo

rted

tost

ates

byea

chem

ploy

erfo

r19

38–1

944

for

the

last

payr

ollp

erio

din

the

mon

th.F

or19

45–1

962,

data

repr

esen

tthe

twel

ve-m

onth

aver

age

fort

hepa

yrol

lper

iod

endi

ngne

ares

tth

efi

ftee

nth

day

ofth

em

onth

.A

fter

1963

,da

tare

pres

ent

the

twel

ve-m

onth

aver

age

for

the

payr

oll

perio

din

clud

ing

the

twel

fth

day

ofth

em

onth

.C

over

edem

ploy

men

tre

pres

ents

empl

oym

ent

inin

-du

stria

land

com

mer

cial

esta

blis

hmen

tsof

eigh

tor

mor

efo

rth

epe

riod

1941

–195

5an

dfo

uror

mor

efo

r19

56to

1970

.In

som

est

ates

,th

eco

vere

dem

ploy

men

tal

sore

pres

ents

empl

oym

ent

insm

alle

res

tabl

ishm

ents

and

for

addi

tiona

lgro

ups

ofw

orke

rs,

such

asst

ate

and

loca

lem

ploy

ees

orse

amen

.A

lthou

ghth

efe

dera

llaw

requ

ires

only

empl

oyer

sto

pay

taxe

s,so

me

stat

esre

quir

eso

me

wor

kers

toco

ntrib

ute

asw

ell.

Seri

esB

f484

–485

.B

egin

ning

in19

64,t

hese

rieso

nth

eav

erag

enu

mbe

rofw

eekl

yins

ured

empl

oym

ent,

serie

sB

f485

,inc

lude

sw

orke

rsin

the

suga

rca

nein

dust

ry,w

hile

serie

sB

f484

excl

udes

them

.

Seri

esB

f487

.C

alcu

late

das

anav

erag

efo

rth

eye

arof

the

num

ber

ofin

itial

clai

ms

for

unem

ploy

men

tin

sura

nce

file

dea

chw

eek.

An

initi

alcl

aim

is“a

nyno

tice

ofun

empl

oym

ent

file

d(1

)to

requ

est

ade

-te

rmin

atio

nof

entit

lem

ent

toan

del

igib

ility

for

com

pens

atio

nor

(2)

tobe

gin

ase

cond

orsu

bseq

uent

perio

dof

elig

ibili

tyw

ithin

abe

nefi

tye

aror

perio

dof

elig

ibili

ty.”


Seri

esB

f489

.U

nem

ploy

edw

orke

rsbe

gin

rece

ivin

gbe

nefi

tsin

mos

tst

ates

afte

ra

wai

ting

perio

dof

one

wee

kis

serv

ed.I

nth

ela

te19

30s,

the

bene

fits

typi

cally

repl

aced

50pe

rcen

tofw

eekl

yea

rnin

gsup

toa

wee

kly

max

imum

bene

fitl

evel

.The

wee

kly

max

imum

has

ofte

nse

rved

tore

duce

bene

fits

asa

perc

ent

ofav

erag

ew

eekl

yw

ages

toro

ughl

y33

to41

perc

ent.

From

1938

thro

ugh

1970

,the

perc

enta

geof

the

wee

kly

wag

eha

sre

imbu

rsab

leco

vera

gein

the

num

erat

orbu

tno

tin

the

deno

min

ator

.

Seri

esB

f490

.Th

est

ates

esta

blis

hm

axim

umdu

ratio

nsfo

rpa

ymen

tsth

atra

nged

from

12to

22.6

wee

ksin

the

late

1930

s.Th

em

axim

ums

rose

such

that

by19

70w

orke

rsco

uld

rece

ive

bene

fits

foru

pto

20to

36w

eeks

,dep

endi

ngon

the

stat

e.Th

eav

erag

eac

tual

dura

tion

ofbe

nefi

tpay

men

tsis

calc

ulat

edas

the

num

ber

ofw

eeks

com

pens

ated

durin

gth

eye

ardi

vide

dby

the

num

ber

offi

rst

paym

ents

.

Seri

esB

f492

.Th

enu

mbe

rofw

eeks

com

pens

ated

fora

llin

divi

dual

sex

haus

ting

bene

fits

divi

ded

byth

eto

taln

umbe

rof

peop

lew

hore

ceiv

ebe

nefi

tsfo

rth

em

axim

umnu

mbe

rof

wee

ksdu

ring

the

year

.

Seri

esB

f493

.Ex

clud

esre

conv

ersi

onun

empl

oym

ent

bene

fits

for

seam

enof

$1,0

18,7

77in

1947

,$3

,330

,528

in19

48,$

1,28

6,94

0in

1949

,$31

1,73

9in

1950

,and

$1,9

41in

1951

.

Seri

esB

f494

.In

clud

esst

ate

unem

ploy

men

tta

xes

paid

byem

ploy

ers

and

the

cont

ribut

ions

from

em-

ploy

ees

inst

ates

that

tax

wor

kers

.Als

oin

clud

espe

nalti

esan

din

tere

stfo

rtho

sest

ates

inw

hich

the

law

requ

ires

that

thes

eit

ems

beus

edto

pay

bene

fits

.The

data

inth

isse

ries

have

been

adju

sted

forr

efun

dsof

cont

ribut

ions

.Con

trib

utio

nsco

llect

edar

eth

eca

shpa

ymen

tsre

ceiv

eddu

ring

the

cale

ndar

year

and

are

note

qual

toto

talc

olle

ctio

nsdu

efo

rtha

tyea

r.In

1938

and

1939

,the

serie

sin

clud

esre

ceip

tsfr

omra

ilroa

dsan

dre

late

dem

ploy

ers

subj

ect

toth

eR

ailr

oad

Une

mpl

oym

ent

Insu

ranc

eA

ctaf

ter

1939

.

Seri

esB

f495

.W

ages

paid

toco

vere

dem

ploy

ees

who

are

subj

ect

tost

ate

unem

ploy

men

tin

sura

nce

taxe

sdu

ring

the

cale

ndar

year

.

Seri

esB

f496

.To

talr

eser

ves

min

usth

eba

lanc

eof

fede

rall

oans

tost

ate

rese

rve

fund

s.

TAB

LEB

f497

–510

Rai

lroa

dun

empl

oym

ent

insu

ranc

ean

dsi

ckne

ssbe

nefi

ts–

appl

icat

ions

,cla

ims,

bene

fici

arie

s,an

dpa

ymen

ts:1

940–

1998

Con

trib

uted

byPr

ice

V.Fi

shba

ckan

dM

elis

saA

.Tho

mas

son

Une

mpl

oym

ent

bene

fits

Sick

ness

bene

fits

Pay

men

tsP

aym

ents

App

licat

ions

Cla

ims

Acc

ount

sA

vera

geA

pplic

atio

nsC

laim

sA

ccou

nts

Ave

rage

rece

ived

rece

ived

Ben

efic

iari

esex

haus

ted

Num

ber

Tota

lam

ount

amou

ntre

ceiv

edre

ceiv

edB

enef

icia

ries

exha

uste

dN

umbe

rTo

tala

mou

ntam

ount

Bf4

97B

f498

Bf4

99B

f500

Bf5

01B

f502

Bf5

03B

f504

Bf5

05B

f506

Bf5

07B

f508

Bf5

09B

f510

Tho

usan

dT

hous

and

Tho

usan

dYe

arN

umbe

rN

umbe

rN

umbe

rN

umbe

rN

umbe

rdo

llars

dolla

rsN

umbe

rN

umbe

rN

umbe

rN

umbe

rN

umbe

rdo

llars

Dol

lars

1940

211,

000

1,25

8,00

016

1,00

029

,000

1,00

1,00

014

,810

——

——

——

——

1941

181,

000

517,

000

164,

000

27,0

0099

9,00

017

,699

——

——

——

——

1942

90,0

0010

1,00

080

,000

11,0

0044

8,00

08,

890

——

——

——

——

1943

22,0

0027

,000

18,0

003,

000

79,0

001,

753

——

——

——

——

1944

7,00

035

,000

5,00

0(Z

)21

,000

547

——

——

——

——

1945

9,00

084

7,00

06,

000

1,00

027

,000

728

26.4

7—

——

——

——

1946

201,

000

1,76

3,00

015

7,00

015

,000

731,

000

20,5

1728

.01

——

——

——

—19

4725

7,00

01,

347,

000

225,

000

48,0

001,

583,

000

46,6

1729

.41

——

——

——

—19

4826

7,00

01,

706,

000

210,

000

22,0

001,

146,

000

32,4

2628

.57

235,

000

800,

000

150,

000

16,0

0073

4,00

026

,604

39.6

619

4934

7,00

03,

731,

000

286,

000

20,0

001,

531,

000

46,7

4530

.70

214,

000

922,

000

179,

000

21,0

0087

3,00

029

,823

40.2

9

1950

562,

000

1,02

8,00

050

6,00

083

,000

3,47

5,00

011

3,76

932

.72

197,

000

896,

000

160,

000

22,0

0085

2,00

029

,487

41.1

619

5123

3,00

090

5,00

018

1,00

017

,000

912,

000

24,7

8027

.53

186,

000

826,

000

143,

000

22,0

0078

3,00

027

,003

40.9

619

5222

0,00

01,

305,

000

162,

000

11,0

0082

3,00

022

,741

28.0

619

2,00

080

1,00

014

3,00

020

,000

758,

000

25,8

9841

.35

1953

264,

000

2,11

8,00

022

4,00

015

,000

1,20

2,00

053

,849

45.2

620

7,00

091

8,00

015

8,00

024

,000

878,

000

43,5

2658

.87

1954

316,

000

2,78

5,00

026

5,00

034

,000

1,98

1,00

095

,541

48.6

820

3,00

094

2,00

015

4,00

026

,000

902,

000

44,9

0460

.47

1955

371,

000

1,12

3,00

032

0,00

077

,000

2,59

4,00

015

2,66

859

.06

205,

000

961,

000

151,

000

27,0

0091

2,00

052

,388

68.6

319

5617

7,00

01,

553,

000

149,

000

22,0

001,

022,

000

55,4

5654

.98

200,

000

930,

000

150,

000

26,0

0088

9,00

050

,040

69.4

019

5727

9,00

02,

746,

000

221,

000

28,0

001,

434,

000

83,1

5458

.23

194,

000

915,

000

145,

000

25,0

0087

5,00

050

,028

71.2

919

5839

1,00

02,

765,

000

312,

000

67,0

002,

595,

000

169,

214

65.4

220

4,00

094

2,00

015

3,00

025

,000

896,

000

52,5

4473

.05

1959

265,

000

2,02

6,00

030

0,00

090

,000

2,63

6,00

019

3,11

867

.09

171,

000

876,

000

139,

000

26,0

0084

2,00

054

,757

76.2

8

1960

254,

000

2,66

3,00

022

1,00

051

,000

—20

8,55

479

.49

190,

000

880,

000

142,

000

26,0

0084

7,00

066

,080

90.4

219

6135

9,00

02,

048,

000

319,

000

68,0

002,

546,

000

206,

651

80.4

016

9,00

082

8,00

012

8,00

024

,000

788,

000

54,9

7491

.44

1962

231,

000

1,57

2,00

021

5,00

050

,000

1,99

5,00

015

6,78

878

.79

168,

000

798,

000

125,

000

22,0

0076

4,00

054

,120

91.7

519

6321

3,00

01,

188,

000

191,

000

34,0

001,

506,

000

116,

789

78.3

815

6,00

075

1,00

012

1,00

021

,000

718,

000

50,0

3591

.55

1964

172,

000

979,

000

152,

000

24,0

001,

137,

000

86,5

6377

.42

150,

000

727,

000

114,

000

20,0

0069

3,00

047

,349

91.3

0

Not

esap

pear

aten

dof

tabl

e(c

onti

nued

)


BLE

Bf4

97–5

10R

ailr

oad

unem

ploy

men

tin

sura

nce

and

sick

ness

bene

fits

–ap

plic

atio

ns,c

laim

s,be

nefi

ciar

ies,

and

paym

ents

:194

0–19

98C

ontin

ued

Une

mpl

oym

ent

bene

fits

Sick

ness

bene

fits

Pay

men

tsP

aym

ents

App

licat

ions

Cla

ims

Acc

ount

sA

vera

geA

pplic

atio

nsC

laim

sA

ccou

nts

Ave

rage

rece

ived

rece

ived

Ben

efic

iari

esex

haus

ted

Num

ber

Tota

lam

ount

amou

ntre

ceiv

edre

ceiv

edB

enef

icia

ries

exha

uste

dN

umbe

rTo

tala

mou

ntam

ount

Bf4

97B

f498

Bf4

99B

f500

Bf5

01B

f502

Bf5

03B

f504

Bf5

05B

f506

Bf5

07B

f508

Bf5

09B

f510

Tho

usan

dT

hous

and

Tho

usan

dYe

arN

umbe

rN

umbe

rN

umbe

rN

umbe

rN

umbe

rdo

llars

dolla

rsN

umbe

rN

umbe

rN

umbe

rN

umbe

rN

umbe

rdo

llars

Dol

lars

1965

153,

000

727,

000

127,

000

19,0

0092

6,90

071

,260

78.9

714

2,00

068

8,00

010

6,00

020

,000

647,

800

43,9

8491

.37

1966

175,

000

525,

000

153,

000

10,0

0069

6,00

047

,673

71.2

613

4,00

063

1,00

010

1,00

018

,000

594,

700

40,4

4791

.15

1967

98,0

0075

1,00

081

,000

8,00

049

6,30

034

,413

74.4

412

7,00

059

1,00

092

,000

16,0

0055

2,90

036

,477

91.0

019

6827

5,00

051

6,00

023

3,00

09,

000

710,

900

41,6

9861

.45

121,

000

560,

000

88,0

0014

,000

522,

600

34,0

5290

.80

1969

112,

000

438,

000

96,0

008,

000

485,

000

40,8

4088

.85

128,

000

684,

000

93,0

0016

,000

646,

300

55,7

4711

0.63

1970

98,0

0043

879

,000

6,00

040

7,40

035

,028

91.8

412

1,00

070

7,00

091

,000

17,0

0067

4,00

057

,927

112.

8719

7133

0,60

074

8,70

024

9,00

08,

300

682,

200

44,9

5768

.34

113,

800

671,

500

86,0

0015

,200

632,

800

50,1

4011

3.26

1972

392,

100

1,09

5,30

031

7,00

014

,100

1,01

5,80

080

,684

82.2

810

8,70

061

2,00

082

,000

12,6

0057

1,20

039

,407

112.

4819

7312

8,00

050

5,80

010

5,00

07,

800

476,

100

41,1

9391

.46

97,8

0052

7,30

074

,000

9,80

049

1,80

031

,634

112.

0919

7460

,600

274,

000

48,0

004,

000

254,

500

22,4

1795

.19

94,8

0048

7,30

071

,000

8,50

045

0,00

028

,053

111.

45

1975

108,

600

443,

400

77,9

004,

800

411,

600

37,5

4994

.28

89,6

0045

3,30

067

,400

7,90

041

7,90

029

,564

111.

2619

7613

3,00

087

5,10

010

5,30

020

,500

826,

500

142,

983

175.

8710

3,00

051

1,80

076

,900

11,2

0047

3,00

074

,930

204.

9219

7710

2,50

064

0,80

084

,600

13,4

0060

4,50

011

1,23

919

0.75

107,

600

549,

900

82,2

0012

,400

514,

200

77,9

7323

0.63

1978

112,

200

652,

700

94,9

0010

,500

614,

900

112,

393

195.

0510

7,80

051

1,30

081

,800

11,1

0048

2,20

071

,197

232.

0619

7912

4,80

058

0,60

097

,200

7,10

053

1,90

010

0,79

519

8.69

103,

500

485,

800

78,3

0010

,100

454,

700

64,2

3523

1.73

1980

136,

900

650,

200

101,

600

11,2

0059

6,50

011

2,70

619

8.79

102,

800

468,

300

76,8

009,

500

428,

500

60,0

4323

1.04

1981

156,

200

1,11

6,70

012

1,90

027

,900

1,07

0,60

021

6,02

820

8.84

99,7

0045

8,60

075

,200

9,40

042

2,30

060

,613

231.

8819

8221

0,00

01,

322,

900

152,

400

36,0

001,

247,

400

247,

674

208.

2794

,100

444,

300

71,8

009,

300

409,

800

54,7

1623

2.15

1983

236,

700

2,02

3,50

018

2,90

067

,600

1,89

4,50

039

4,36

41

212.

9582

,300

423,

300

62,9

0010

,000

388,

200

56,7

2123

4.65

1984

132,

700

1,12

3,40

011

5,60

034

,400

1,06

5,80

021

6,34

81

207.

9472

,100

370,

600

57,2

008,

800

345,

600

45,4

3423

4.10

1985

105,

300

695,

200

81,7

0016

,100

648,

500

126,

426

120

1.03

67,0

0034

2,10

051

,600

8,00

031

6,90

043

,783

234.

1619

8611

2,30

075

4,50

087

,600

17,4

0070

6,80

014

0,45

21

205.

5663

,500

356,

400

49,5

008,

800

329,

400

47,3

9723

3.87

1987

90,4

0068

0,00

075

,200

17,0

0063

0,20

011

8,57

320

6.88

58,2

0034

6,80

045

,200

9,10

031

9,10

055

,735

232.

8219

8868

,500

456,

100

54,4

0010

,600

417,

800

85,7

7420

9.76

54,5

0032

3,60

041

,700

8,40

029

5,20

024

,834

232.

8519

8949

,200

306,

000

35,2

006,

600

258,

200

60,7

9824

7.44

47,7

0028

6,30

033

,700

7,60

024

5,00

032

,136

271.

35

1990

39,6

0029

8,90

029

,900

5,60

023

0,90

057

,215

249.

7241

,900

270,

400

28,2

006,

100

208,

700

32,5

6628

5.74

1991

46,1

0030

9,50

030

,500

5,90

024

5,40

060

,102

264.

4537

,800

257,

100

25,6

005,

300

192,

000

32,5

6728

9.93

1992

32,9

0028

0,70

026

,400

5,90

023

6,60

055

,104

269.

4834

,200

233,

000

23,6

005,

300

184,

900

12,0

3729

0.93

1993

27,2

0021

5,30

020

,700

4,30

018

2,50

049

,188

289.

3031

,700

205,

000

21,8

004,

600

167,

600

21,5

4630

7.33

1994

22,6

0018

7,70

018

,600

4,00

015

8,70

040

,441

293.

3830

,900

205,

100

21,6

004,

700

170,

000

25,4

3731

2.94

1995

23,7

0015

8,00

018

,700

2,90

012

9,90

037

,357

312.

8429

,100

196,

200

21,0

004,

300

163,

000

24,1

9833

6.36

1996

22,4

0016

2,40

016

,800

3,40

013

4,80

040

,678

314.

3128

,000

194,

100

20,4

004,

400

162,

900

25,7

5933

7.84

1997

19,5

0013

0,20

015

,300

2,70

010

5,50

038

,249

357.

6927

,400

184,

300

20,5

004,

300

154,

600

32,4

7537

2.03

1998

13,7

0086

,800

11,3

002,

100

71,5

0027

,034

375.

0426

,600

171,

100

20,5

004,

300

147,

500

33,0

5838

5.40

(Z)

Few

erth

an50

0ac

coun

ts.

1In

clud

essu

pple

men

tale

xten

ded

unem

ploy

men

tbe

nefi

tspa

idto

cert

ain

wor

kers

.See

text

.

Sour

ceU

.S.R

ailr

oad

Ret

irem

ent

Boa

rd,S

tatis

tical

Tabl

es:D

ata

thro

ugh

Fisc

alYe

ar19

98,T

able

sC

1an

dC

2.

Doc

umen

tatio

nTh

eR

ailr

oad

Une

mpl

oym

entI

nsur

ance

Act

of19

38w

ases

tabl

ishe

dto

prov

ide

unem

ploy

men

tben

efits

for

railr

oad

wor

kers

who

wer

eof

ten

deni

edco

vera

geun

der

stat

epr

ogra

ms

beca

use

ofth

ein

ters

tate

natu

reof

thei

rem

ploy

men

t.Th

eA

ctes

tabl

ishe

da

syst

emof

bene

fits

foru

nem

ploy

edra

ilroa

dw

orke

rsth

atw

asfi

nanc

eden

tirel

yby

railr

oad

empl

oyer

san

dad

min

iste

red

byth

eR

ailr

oad

Ret

irem

ent

Boa

rd.

The

Rai

lroa

dsy

stem

cove

rsth

een

tire

Uni

ted

Stat

esan

dis

sim

ilart

oth

eU

nem

ploy

men

tIns

uran

ce(U

I)sy

stem

desc

ribed

inth

ete

xtfo

rTa

ble

Bf4

84–4

96.

In19

40a

unifo

rmbe

nefi

tye

arw

ases

tabl

ishe

d,an

dsi

ckne

ssbe

nefi

tsw

ere

adde

din

1946

.As

of19

97,

cont

ribut

ion

rate

sfo

rem

ploy

ers

rang

edfr

om0.

65to

12pe

rcen

t,an

dbe

nefi

tsw

ere

paid

for

com

pens

able

days

ofun

empl

oym

enta

ndsi

ckne

ssat

ada

ilyra

teof

60pe

rcen

toft

heem

ploy

ee’s

wag

esu

bjec

tto

a$4

2.00

max

imum

and

a$1

2.70

min

imum

.


Bet

wee

n19

46an

d19

97,s

ever

alam

endm

ents

have

chan

ged

bene

fitl

evel

san

dem

ploy

erco

ntrib

u-tio

nre

quir

emen

ts.F

ora

full,

deta

iled

hist

ory

ofth

eR

ailr

oad

Une

mpl

oym

entI

nsur

ance

Syst

em,s

eeth

e19

97R

ailro

adR

etire

men

tand

Une

mpl

oym

entI

nsur

ance

Syst

emsH

andb

ook.

All

data

are

repo

rted

ina

June

–Jul

ybe

nefi

tye

ar,r

athe

rth

ana

fisc

alye

ar.

Seri

esB

f501

.Fr

om19

83to

1985

,inc

lude

sbe

nefi

ciar

ies

who

rece

ived

supp

lem

enta

lext

ende

dun

em-

ploy

men

tbe

nefi

ts.

Seri

esB

f501

–503

and

Bf5

08–5

10.

Not

adju

sted

for

reco

verie

sor

sett

lem

ents

ofun

derp

aym

ents

.

Seri

esB

f502

.Fo

r19

83–1

986,

incl

udes

supp

lem

enta

lext

ende

dun

empl

oym

ent

bene

fits

paid

toce

r-ta

inw

orke

rsw

ithle

ssth

ante

nye

ars

ofse

rvic

e.Th

ese

bene

fits

tota

led

$37,

731,

000

in19

82–1

983,

$13,

395,

000

in19

83–1

984,

$654

,000

in19

84–1

985,

and

$22,

400

in19

85–1

986

and

wer

efi

nanc

edfr

omge

nera

lrev

enue

s.

Seri

esB

f503

and

Bf5

10.

Rep

rese

nts

the

aver

age

amou

ntpe

rtw

o-w

eek

clai

mpe

riod.

Ove

rthe

perio

d19

40–1

965,

bene

fici

arie

sar

eba

sed

ona

10pe

rcen

tsam

ple

foru

nem

ploy

men

tand

sick

ness

paym

ents

and

a20

perc

ents

ampl

efo

rmat

erni

ty.F

rom

1966

to19

75,t

henu

mbe

rofb

enef

icia

ries

isba

sed

ona

20pe

rcen

tsa

mpl

e,w

hile

univ

ersa

ldat

aar

eus

edaf

ter

1975

.

Seri

esB

f504

–510

.In

clud

esm

ater

nity

bene

fits

.

TAB

LEB

f511

–524

Wor

kers

’co

mpe

nsat

ion

–w

orke

rsco

vere

d,be

nefi

tpa

ymen

ts,a

ndco

sts:

1939

–199

8C

ontr

ibut

edby

Pric

eV.

Fish

back

and

Mel

issa

A.T

hom

asso

n

Per

$100

ofB

enef

its

paid

cove

red

payr

oll

NA

SIes

tim

ates

Per

$100

ofD

isab

ility

and

surv

ivor

bene

fits

Sour

ceof

paym

ents

cove

red

payr

oll

Med

ical

and

Pri

vate

Dis

burs

emen

tsW

orke

rsho

spit

aliz

atio

nin

sura

nce

from

stat

ean

dEm

ploy

ers’

Cos

tof

Wor

kers

Cos

tof

cove

red

Tota

lbe

nefi

tsTo

tal

Dis

abili

tySu

rviv

orca

rrie

rsfe

dera

lfun

dsse

lf-in

sura

nce

prog

ram

sB

enef

its

paid

cove

red

prog

ram

sB

enef

its

paid

Bf5

11B

f512

Bf5

13B

f514

Bf5

15B

f516

1B

f517

Bf5

18B

f519

Bf5

20B

f521

Bf5

22B

f523

Bf5

24

Year

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

dolla

rsM

illio

ndo

llars

Mill

ion

dolla

rsM

illio

ndo

llars

Mill

ion

dolla

rsM

illio

ndo

llars

Mill

ion

dolla

rsM

illio

ndo

llars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Mill

ion

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

1939

—23

585

150

120

3012

268

44—

——

——

1940

24.6

256

9516

112

932

135

7348

1.19

0.72

——

—19

41—

291

100

191

157

3416

077

54—

——

——

1942

—32

910

822

118

536

190

8157

——

——

—19

43—

353

112

241

203

3821

381

59—

——

——

1944

—38

512

026

522

540

237

8663

——

——

—

1945

—40

812

528

324

142

253

9165

——

——

—19

4632

.743

414

029

425

044

270

9668

0.91

0.54

——

—19

47—

486

160

326

280

4630

211

074

——

——

—19

4836

.053

417

535

930

950

335

121

780.

960.

51—

——

1949

35.3

566

185

381

329

5235

313

281

0.98

0.55

——

—

1950

36.9

615

200

415

360

5538

114

985

0.89

0.54

——

—19

5138

.770

923

347

641

660

444

170

940.

900.

54—

——

1952

39.4

785

260

525

460

6549

119

310

10.

940.

55—

——

1953

40.7

841

280

561

491

7052

421

010

70.

970.

55—

——

1954

39.8

876

308

568

498

7054

022

511

00.

980.

57—

——

1955

41.4

916

325

591

521

7056

323

811

50.

910.

55—

——

1956

43.0

1,00

235

065

257

775

618

259

125

0.92

0.55

——

—19

5743

.31,

062

360

702

617

8566

127

113

00.

910.

56—

——

1958

42.5

1,11

237

573

764

790

694

285

132

0.91

0.58

——

—19

5944

.01,

210

410

800

700

100

753

316

141

0.89

0.58

——

—

Not

eap

pear

sat

end

ofta

ble

(con

tinu

ed)


TAB

LEB

f511

–524

Wor

kers

’co

mpe

nsat

ion

–w

orke

rsco

vere

d,be

nefi

tpa

ymen

ts,a

ndco

sts:

1939

–199

8C

ontin

ued

Per

$100

ofB

enef

its

paid

cove

red

payr

oll

NA

SIes

tim

ates

Per

$100

ofD

isab

ility

and

surv

ivor

bene

fits

Sour

ceof

paym

ents

cove

red

payr

oll

Med

ical

and

Pri

vate

Dis

burs

emen

tsW

orke

rsho

spit

aliz

atio

nin

sura

nce

from

stat

ean

dEm

ploy

ers’

Cos

tof

Wor

kers

Cos

tof

cove

red

Tota

lbe

nefi

tsTo

tal

Dis

abili

tySu

rviv

orca

rrie

rsfe

dera

lfun

dsse

lf-in

sura

nce

prog

ram

sB

enef

its

paid

cove

red

prog

ram

sB

enef

its

paid

Bf5

11B

f512

Bf5

13B

f514

Bf5

15B

f516

1B

f517

Bf5

18B

f519

Bf5

20B

f521

Bf5

22B

f523

Bf5

24

Year

Mill

ion

Mill

ion

dolla

rsM

illio

ndo

llars

Mill

ion

dolla

rsM

illio

ndo

llars

Mill

ion

dolla

rsM

illio

ndo

llars

Mill

ion

dolla

rsM

illio

ndo

llars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Mill

ion

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

1960

44.9

1,29

543

586

075

510

581

032

516

00.

930.

59—

——

1961

45.0

1,37

446

091

480

411

085

134

717

60.

950.

61—

——

1962

46.2

1,48

949

599

487

911

592

437

119

40.

960.

62—

——

1963

47.3

1,58

252

51,

057

932

125

988

388

207

0.99

0.62

——

—19

6448

.81,

707

565

1,14

21,

007

135

1,07

041

222

61.

000.

63—

——

1965

50.8

1,81

460

01,

214

1,07

414

01,

124

445

244

1.00

0.61

——

—19

6653

.72,

000

680

1,32

01,

170

150

1,23

948

627

51.

020.

61—

——

1967

55.0

2,18

975

01,

439

1,28

415

51,

363

524

303

1.07

0.63

——

—19

6856

.82,

376

830

1,54

61,

381

165

1,48

255

633

81.

070.

62—

——

1969

59.0

2,63

492

01,

714

1,52

918

51,

641

607

386

1.08

0.62

——

—

1970

59.2

3,03

11,

050

1,98

11,

751

230

1,84

375

543

21.

110.

66—

——

1971

59.4

3,56

31,

130

2,43

32,

068

365

2,00

51,

098

460

1.11

0.67

——

—19

7262

.34,

061

1,25

02,

811

2,35

146

02,

179

1,37

950

41.

140.

68—

——

1973

66.3

5,10

31,

480

3,62

32,

953

670

2,51

41,

998

592

1.17

0.70

——

—19

7468

.05,

781

1,76

04,

021

3,35

167

02,

971

2,08

672

41.

240.

75—

——

1975

67.2

6,59

82,

030

4,56

83,

843

725

3,42

22,

324

852

1.32

0.83

——

—19

7669

.67,

584

2,38

05,

204

4,39

481

03,

976

2,57

01,

039

1.49

0.87

——

—19

7772

.18,

630

2,68

05,

950

5,07

587

54,

629

2,75

01,

250

1.71

0.92

——

—19

7875

.69,

796

2,98

06,

816

5,85

196

55,

256

3,04

31,

497

1.86

0.94

——

—19

7978

.612

,027

3,52

08,

507

7,23

21,

275

6,15

74,

022

1,84

81.

951.

01—

——

1980

78.8

13,6

183,

947

9,67

18,

359

1,31

27,

029

4,33

02,

259

1.96

1.07

——

—19

8178

.315

,054

4,43

110

,623

9,22

41,

399

7,87

64,

595

2,58

31.

851.

08—

——

1982

77.0

16,4

075,

058

11,3

499,

862

1,48

88,

647

4,76

82,

993

1.75

1.16

——

—19

8378

.017

,575

5,68

111

,894

10,3

851,

509

9,26

55,

061

3,24

91.

671.

17—

——

1984

81.9

19,6

856,

424

13,2

6111

,666

1,59

510

,610

5,40

53,

671

1.66

1.21

——

—

1985

84.3

22,2

177,

498

14,7

1913

,060

1,65

912

,341

5,74

44,

132

1.82

1.30

——

—19

8686

.024

,613

8,64

215

,971

14,3

281,

643

13,8

276,

248

4,53

81.

991.

37—

——

1987

88.4

27,3

179,

912

17,4

0615

,775

1,63

115

,453

6,78

25,

082

2.07

1.43

——

—19

8891

.330

,703

11,5

1819

,215

17,6

131,

602

17,5

127,

447

5,74

42.

161.

49—

——

1989

93.7

34,3

1613

,424

20,8

9219

,171

1,72

119

,918

7,96

56,

433

2.27

1.58

103.

92.

041.

43

1990

95.1

38,2

3715

,187

23,0

5121

,212

1,83

922

,222

8,76

67,

249

2.36

1.66

105.

52.

131.

4919

9193

.642

,170

16,8

3225

,337

23,3

731,

964

24,5

159,

711

7,94

42.

401.

7910

3.7

2.16

1.64

1992

94.6

45,6

6818

,252

26,4

0824

,410

1,99

825

,280

10,6

649,

724

2.39

1.86

104.

32.

131.

6619

9396

.145

,330

17,5

2125

,403

23,4

501,

952

24,1

2910

,578

10,6

232.

441.

7810

6.2

2.17

1.58

1994

99.0

44,5

8617

,194

27,5

0325

,458

2,04

522

,306

10,7

5311

,527

2.30

1.70

109.

42.

051.

52

1995

102.

143

,373

16,7

3326

,779

24,8

001,

979

21,1

4510

,996

11,2

322.

051.

5611

2.8

1.83

1.39

1996

—42

,065

16,6

0925

,456

——

20,5

1010

,700

10,8

55—

—11

4.6

1.67

1.28

1997

—40

,586

15,4

4725

,139

——

20,6

1710

,097

9,87

2—

—11

7.7

1.46

1.14

1998

—41

,693

16,4

2725

,266

——

22,2

1510

,352

9,12

6—

—12

0.9

1.35

1.08


1Sh

arp

jum

pbe

twee

n19

70an

d19

73is

inla

rge

part

the

resu

ltof

the

intr

oduc

tion

ofth

efe

dera

lBla

ckLu

ngB

enef

itspr

ogra

m.

Sour

ces

Fors

erie

sB

f511

–521

,193

9–19

67,A

lfred

M.S

koln

ikan

dD

anie

lN.P

rice,

“Ano

ther

Look

atW

orkm

en’s

Com

pens

atio

n,”

Socia

lSec

urity

Bul

letin

33(O

ctob

er19

70):

3–25

;196

8–19

91,U

.S.S

ocia

lSec

urity

Ad-

min

istr

atio

n,So

cialS

ecur

ityB

ulle

tin,A

nnua

lSta

tistic

alSu

pple

men

t(19

94),

Tabl

e9.

B1,

p.33

3;19

92–1

993,

Jack

Schm

ulow

itz,“

Wor

kers

’Com

pens

atio

n:C

over

age,

Ben

efits

,and

Cos

ts,1

992–

93,”

Socia

lSec

urity

Bul

letin

58(S

umm

er19

95):

51–7

.The

Soci

alSe

curit

yA

dmin

istr

atio

nst

oppe

dco

llect

ing

and

publ

ishi

ngth

ese

data

in19

95.

The

Nat

iona

lAca

dem

yof

Soci

alIn

sura

nce

(NA

SI)

with

the

help

ofJa

ckSc

hmu-

low

itzpu

blis

hed

upda

ted

info

rmat

ion

for

1994

and

1995

inN

atio

nalA

cade

my

ofSo

cial

Insu

ranc

e,“W

orke

rs’C

ompe

nsat

ion:

Ben

efits

,Cov

erag

ean

dC

osts

,199

4–19

95N

ewEs

timat

es.”

Fors

erie

sB

f512

and

Bf5

17–5

19fo

rye

ars

1987

thro

ugh

1998

and

for

serie

sB

f522

–524

,Nat

iona

lAca

dem

yof

Soci

alIn

sura

nce,

“Wor

kers

’Com

pens

atio

n:B

enef

its,C

over

age

and

Cos

ts,1

997–

1998

New

Estim

ates

.”Th

epu

blic

atio

nis

avai

labl

eat

the

NA

SIIn

tern

etsi

te.T

heN

ASI

cont

inue

sto

publ

ish

annu

alup

date

s.

Doc

umen

tatio

nW

orke

rs’c

ompe

nsat

ion

prog

ram

spro

vide

med

ical

and

hosp

ital

care

and

inco

me-

mai

nten

ance

prot

ec-

tion

tow

orke

rsw

hose

disa

bilit

ies

are

the

resu

ltof

wor

k-re

late

din

jurie

sor

illne

sses

.The

prog

ram

sal

sopr

ovid

esu

rviv

orbe

nefi

tsto

the

depe

nden

tsof

dece

ased

wor

kers

who

sede

aths

resu

ltfr

omjo

b-re

late

dac

cide

nts

and/

oroc

cupa

tiona

ldis

ease

s.Th

efi

rst

perm

anen

tw

orke

rs’c

ompe

nsat

ion

law

was

esta

b-lis

hed

byth

eFe

dera

lEm

ploy

erLi

abili

tyA

ctin

1908

,whi

chpr

ovid

edlim

ited

bene

fits

forc

erta

infe

dera

lem

ploy

ees

enga

ged

inha

zard

ous

wor

k.N

ine

stat

esha

den

acte

dth

eiro

wn

wor

kers

’com

pens

atio

nla

ws

by19

11,

fort

y-on

est

ates

by19

20,

fort

y-fo

urby

1930

,fo

rty-

six

prio

rto

1939

,an

dal

lfor

ty-e

ight

by19

48.

Ala

ska

and

Haw

ai’i

each

adop

ted

wor

kers

’co

mpe

nsat

ion

in19

15as

terr

itorie

s,lo

ngbe

fore

beco

min

gst

ates

in19

59.

The

figu

res

incl

ude

estim

ated

paym

ents

unde

rsta

tew

orke

r’s

com

pens

atio

nla

ws

(for

ty-s

ixst

ates

in19

39;f

orty

-eig

htst

ates

,194

8–19

57;f

ifty

stat

esaf

terA

lask

aan

dH

awai

’iar

ein

clud

edfr

om19

59to

the

pres

ent)

and

unde

rfed

eral

wor

kers

’com

pens

atio

nla

ws

cove

ring

empl

oyee

sof

the

fede

ralg

over

nmen

t,pr

ivat

eem

ploy

ees

inth

eD

istr

ict

ofC

olum

bia,

and

long

shor

emen

and

harb

orw

orke

rs.

Beg

inni

ngin

1970

,th

eda

tain

clud

eth

efe

dera

lB

lack

Lung

Ben

efits

prog

ram

for

disa

bled

coal

min

ers

and

thei

rde

pend

ents

.M

osto

fthe

stat

ew

orke

rs’c

ompe

nsat

ion

law

sex

empt

empl

oym

enti

nag

ricul

ture

,dom

estic

serv

ice,

and

casu

alla

bor;

abou

thal

fexe

mpt

empl

oyer

sw

hoha

vefe

wer

than

asp

ecif

ied

num

bero

fem

ploy

ees.

Inth

eor

igin

alla

ws,

occu

patio

nald

isea

sesw

ere

notc

over

ed.T

henu

mbe

rofl

awsc

over

ing

occu

patio

nal

dise

ases

expa

nded

.For

the

past

fift

yye

ars

near

lyal

lsta

tes

have

mad

eoc

cupa

tiona

ldis

ease

s,or

atle

ast

spec

ifie

ddi

seas

es,c

ompe

nsab

le.

Tom

ake

cert

ain

that

bene

fit

paym

ents

will

bem

ade

whe

ndu

e,th

eco

vere

dem

ploy

eris

requ

ired

byla

wto

obta

inin

sura

nce

from

apr

ivat

ein

sura

nce

carr

ier

orfr

oma

stat

ein

sura

nce

fund

orto

give

proo

fofh

isqu

alif

icat

ions

toca

rry

his

own

risk,

whi

chis

know

nas

self-

insu

ranc

e.Th

ere

issu

bsta

ntia

lvar

iatio

nin

the

bene

fit

paym

ents

acro

ssst

ates

.D

etai

led

desc

riptio

nsof

the

bene

fit

rule

sar

epu

blis

hed

annu

ally

byth

eU

.S.C

ham

ber

ofC

omm

erce

inA

naly

sisof

Wor

kers

’C

ompe

n-sa

tion

Law

sand

the

U.S

.Bur

eau

ofLa

bor

Stat

istic

sin

Wor

kers

’C

ompe

nsat

ion

Law

s.Es

timat

esof

wor

kers

’com

pens

atio

npa

ymen

tsde

pend

ona

varie

tyof

sour

ces

ofpu

blis

hed

info

r-m

atio

n,su

pple

men

ted

byco

rres

pond

ence

with

stat

eag

enci

es.D

ata

onpa

ymen

tsby

priv

ate

insu

ranc

eco

mpa

nies

and

som

eof

the

com

petit

ive

stat

efu

nds

are

obta

ined

from

annu

alis

sues

ofSp

ecta

tor:

Insu

r-

ance

bySt

ates

ofFi

re,M

arin

e,C

asua

lty,S

uret

yand

Misc

ella

neou

sLin

esan

dfr

omth

eA

.M.B

estC

ompa

ny.D

ata

onpa

ymen

tsm

ade

byth

ere

mai

ning

stat

efu

nds

are

obta

ined

from

annu

alor

bien

nial

repo

rts

issu

edby

stat

ew

orkm

en’s

com

pens

atio

nbu

reau

sor

divi

sion

s,or

stat

ein

sura

nce

depa

rtm

ents

,and

from

the

annu

alpu

blic

atio

nof

the

Bur

eau

ofth

eC

ensu

s,St

ate

Gov

ernm

entF

inan

ces.

Dat

aon

paym

ents

byse

lf-in

sure

rsin

som

est

ates

are

obta

ined

dire

ctly

from

stat

ere

port

s.Fo

rm

ost

stat

es,h

owev

er,e

stim

ates

are

calc

ulat

edus

ing

one

ofse

vera

lrat

ios

(for

exam

ple,

repo

rted

acci

dent

s,cl

aim

sfi

led,

taxe

spa

id)

that

exis

tbet

wee

nfi

rms

that

are

insu

red

with

priv

ate

carr

iers

orst

ate

fund

san

dfi

rms

that

self-

insu

re.

Form

ore

deta

ilson

estim

atio

npr

oced

ures

inth

e19

90s,

see

the

publ

icat

ions

byth

eN

ASI

inth

eso

urce

listin

gs.

Seri

esB

f511

.Es

timat

esar

em

onth

lyav

erag

es.

Seri

esB

f512

.Th

esu

mof

serie

sB

f513

–514

,al

thou

ghth

esu

ms

durin

gth

e19

90s

may

not

mat

chse

ries

Bf5

12be

caus

epu

blis

hed

sour

ces

prov

ide

mor

ere

cent

upda

tes

for

serie

sB

f512

than

for

the

subc

ateg

orie

s.It

isal

soth

esu

mof

serie

sB

f517

–519

.

Seri

esB

f512

–519

.A

fter

1992

,in

clud

eses

timat

edbe

nefi

tspa

idun

der

dedu

ctib

lepr

ovis

ions

.Pr

ovi-

sion

sfo

rpa

ymen

tsof

dedu

ctib

les

are

are

lativ

ely

new

deve

lopm

ent

ofth

e19

90s,

and

data

wer

eno

tpr

evio

usly

avai

labl

e.

Seri

esB

f514

.Th

esu

mof

serie

sB

f515

–516

.

Seri

esB

f517

.N

etca

shan

dm

edic

albe

nefi

tspa

idby

priv

ate

insu

ranc

eco

mpa

nies

unde

rst

anda

rdw

orke

rs’c

ompe

nsat

ion

polic

ies.

Seri

esB

f518

.In

clud

esne

tca

shan

dm

edic

albe

nefi

tspa

idby

com

petit

ive

and

excl

usiv

est

ate

fund

san

dfe

dera

lwor

kers

’com

pens

atio

npr

ogra

ms,

and,

star

ting

in19

70,c

ash

bene

fits

paid

byth

efe

dera

lB

lack

Lung

Ben

efits

prog

ram

.Dat

afo

rfi

scal

year

sfo

rso

me

fund

s.

Seri

esB

f519

.C

ash

and

med

ical

bene

fits

paid

byse

lf-in

sure

rspl

usth

eva

lue

ofm

edic

albe

nefi

tspa

idby

empl

oyer

sca

rryi

ngw

orke

rs’c

ompe

nsat

ion

polic

ies

that

excl

ude

stan

dard

med

ical

cove

rage

.Est

imat

edfr

omav

aila

ble

stat

eda

ta.

Seri

esB

f520

.In

clud

esbe

nefi

tspa

idby

self-

insu

rers

with

anad

ditio

nal5

–10

perc

ent

adde

dto

allo

wfo

rad

min

istr

ativ

eco

sts

plus

the

prem

ium

sw

ritte

nby

priv

ate

carr

iers

and

stat

efu

nds.

Als

oin

clud

esbe

nefi

tspa

idan

dad

min

istr

ativ

eco

sts

offe

dera

lsy

stem

for

gove

rnm

ent

empl

oyee

s.A

ccor

ding

toSc

hmul

owitz

(199

2,no

tes

toTa

bles

5an

d6,

p.57

),th

isin

clud

esth

epo

rtio

nof

the

fede

ralB

lack

Lung

Ben

efits

prog

ram

fina

nced

from

empl

oyer

cont

ribut

ions

.Thi

sse

ries

equa

lsth

esu

mof

bene

fits

divi

ded

byth

esi

zeof

the

cove

red

payr

oll.

Seri

esB

f521

.Ex

clud

espr

ogra

ms

fina

nced

from

gene

ralr

even

ue–

mos

tfe

dera

lBla

ckLu

ngB

enef

itspr

ogra

ms

and

supp

lem

enta

lpen

sion

sin

afe

wst

ates

.Th

roug

h19

91,

the

sour

ces

give

this

figu

redi

-re

ctly

.In

upda

tes

for

1992

–199

5,th

isfi

gure

was

calc

ulat

edas

bene

fits

per

$1of

cost

mul

tiplie

dby

cost

per

$100

ofpa

yrol

l.

Seri

esB

f522

–524

.Th

ese

are

estim

ates

for

cove

rage

ofw

orke

rsan

d,co

nseq

uent

ly,e

mpl

oyer

s’co

sts

and

bene

fits

per$

100

ofpa

yrol

lbas

edon

the

met

hods

fore

stim

atin

gco

vera

geus

edin

the

publ

icat

ions

from

the

NA

SI.

Thes

ear

eth

ees

timat

esth

atw

illbe

upda

ted

infu

ture

year

s.Fo

rde

scrip

tions

ofth

edi

ffer

ence

inth

epr

oced

ures

fore

stim

atin

gth

ese

serie

s,se

eth

eN

ASI

publ

icat

ion

for1

994–

1995

inth

eso

urce

note

s(p

p.9–

13).


TABLE Bf525–534 Black Lung Benefits – recipients and payments: 1970–1998Contributed by Price V. Fishback and Melissa A. Thomasson

Benefits paid by SocialPersons receiving benefits Security Administration

Claim filed prior to July 1, 1973 Claim filed after July 1, 1973Monthly Annual

Total Miners Widows Dependents Total Miners Widows Dependents amount amount


Thousand ThousandYear Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Number dollars dollars

1970 111,976 43,921 24,889 43,166 — — — — 12,500 111,0001971 231,729 77,213 67,358 87,158 — — — — 27,200 378,9001972 298,963 101,802 88,067 109,094 — — — — 37,800 554,4001973 461,491 159,837 124,154 177,500 — — — — 63,700 1,045,2001974 487,216 169,097 134,700 183,419 — — — — 71,500 951,300

1975 482,311 165,405 139,407 177,499 — — — — 75,500 947,7001976 469,655 158,087 142,495 169,073 — — — — 77,400 963,3001977 457,399 148,720 144,543 164,136 — — — — 80,500 942,2001978 439,970 138,648 145,829 155,493 — — — — 82,300 965,1001979 418,948 129,558 146,527 142,863 83,887 30,739 19,366 33,177 86,500 983,100

1980 399,477 120,235 146,603 132,639 139,073 52,922 26,739 58,223 91,400 1,032,0001981 376,505 111,249 146,173 119,083 163,401 62,787 30,517 68,266 91,700 1,081,3001982 354,569 102,234 144,863 107,472 173,972 61,727 32,689 78,738 90,800 1,076,0001983 333,358 93,694 142,967 96,697 166,043 64,181 35,178 65,871 86,300 1,055,8001984 313,822 85,658 140,995 87,169 163,166 62,785 36,495 62,982 85,300 1,038,000

1985 294,846 77,836 138,328 78,682 160,437 60,906 37,827 60,817 83,700 1,025,0001986 275,783 70,253 135,003 70,497 156,892 59,014 38,895 58,058 78,900 971,0001987 258,988 63,573 131,561 63,854 153,769 57,095 40,346 55,345 76,800 940,0001988 241,626 56,977 127,322 57,327 150,123 54,920 41,607 52,553 73,500 904,0001989 225,764 51,048 123,220 51,496 145,289 52,258 42,691 49,245 72,000 882,000

1990 210,678 45,643 118,705 46,330 139,854 49,306 43,404 45,996 70,000 863,4001991 196,419 40,703 114,046 41,670 134,205 46,450 43,831 42,745 68,400 844,4001992 182,396 35,971 109,091 37,334 128,761 43,723 43,967 39,846 66,500 822,5001993 168,365 31,664 103,334 33,367 123,213 40,866 44,103 36,964 64,100 794,3001994 155,172 27,828 97,414 29,930 117,569 37,970 44,073 34,194 60,600 751,900

1995 143,011 24,573 91,517 26,921 111,769 35,220 43,688 31,499 56,100 696,7001996 131,143 21,477 85,559 24,107 105,923 32,452 43,155 28,923 52,600 654,6001997 119,233 18,488 79,238 21,507 100,352 29,839 42,468 26,601 49,255 614,8881998 109,271 15,964 73,420 19,887 — — — — 46,204 576,389

SourcesSeries Bf525–528 and Bf533–534, Social Security Bulletin: Annual Statistical Sup-plement (1999), Table 9.D1, p. 338. Series Bf529–532, U.S. Department ofLabor, Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs Annual Report to Congress, FY1996.

DocumentationEstablished by the federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, theBlack Lung Benefits program provides monthly benefit payments to coalminers who are totally disabled as a result of pneumoconiosis, to the wid-ows of coal miners who died as a result of pneumoconiosis, and to theirdependents. Until October 1, 1997, the Social Security Administration hasbeen responsible for the payment and administration of benefits with respectto Part B claims filed through June 30, 1973 (and for certain survivor casesbefore December 31, 1973). As a result, series Bf525–528 and Bf533–534reflect payments made to beneficiaries resulting from Part B claims madeprior to July 1, 1973. These payments are financed from the general fundsof the Treasury.

Under the Black Lung Benefits Act of 1972, the U.S. Department ofLabor (DOL) has jurisdiction over Part C claims (generally claims arisingJuly 1, 1973, and later). Different financing provisions are applicable to theseclaims. Data on claims filed with the DOL are included in series Bf529–532.

Under the law, the basic Black Lung Benefits rate is 37.5 percent of themonthly pay rate for federal employees in the first step of grade GS-2. Thebasic rate to a miner or widow may be increased according to the numberof qualified dependents: 50 percent of the basic benefit rate if one depen-dent qualifies, 75 percent for two dependents, and 100 percent for three ormore dependents. Because Black Lung payments are tied directly to federalemployee salary scales, increases are automatically payable when federalsalaries are increased. If a miner or surviving spouse is receiving workers’compensation, unemployment compensation, or Disability Insurance pay-ment under state law, the Black Lung benefit is offset by the amount beingpaid under these other programs.

All coal mine operators are required to pay an excise tax, based on theirtonnage and price of coal sold, to support payment of benefits to minersunder the Act and to pay for the cost of administering the Act. In addition,coal mine operators are required, either directly or through insurance, toprovide for the payment of benefits to miners when they are the responsibleemployer of the miners. Benefits for recipients who worked in mines before1970, for whom an employer cannot be designated responsible, or for whomthe employer defaults on payments are paid from a trust fund funded bytaxes on coal production.


TABLE Bf535–544 Medicare cost sharing and premium amounts: 1966–19991


Hospital Insurance Supplementary Medical Insurance

Deductible and copayment Monthly premium

Inpatient hospital Government contributiondaily copayment to monthly premium

Monthly premiumInpatient Skilled-nursing for voluntaryhospital Lifetime facility daily purchase by Monthly premium

deductible reserve copayment persons not for aged(IHD) first days after after covered by the Annual Coinsurance and disabled Aged

60 days Days 61–90 90 days 20 days HI program deductible rate enrollees enrollees Disabled enrollees


Year Dollars Dollars Dollars Dollars Dollars Dollars Percent Dollars Dollars Dollars

1966 40 10 — — — 50 20 3.0 3.0 —1967 40 10 — 5.00 — 50 20 3.0 3.0 —1968 40 10 20 5.00 — 50 20 4.0 4.0 —1969 44 11 22 5.50 — 50 20 4.0 4.0 —

1970 52 13 26 6.50 — 50 20 5.3 5.3 —1971 60 15 30 7.50 — 50 20 5.6 5.6 —1972 68 17 34 8.50 — 50 20 5.8 5.8 —1973 72 18 36 9.00 33 60 20 6.3 6.3 22.71974 84 21 42 10.50 36 60 20 6.7 6.7 29.3

1975 92 23 46 11.50 40 60 20 6.7 8.3 30.31976 104 26 52 13.00 45 60 20 7.2 14.2 30.81977 124 31 62 15.50 54 60 20 7.7 16.9 42.31978 144 36 72 18.00 63 60 20 8.2 18.6 41.81979 160 40 80 20.00 69 60 20 8.7 18.1 41.3

1980 180 45 90 22.50 78 60 20 9.6 23.0 41.41981 204 51 102 25.50 89 60 20 11.0 34.2 62.21982 260 65 130 32.50 113 75 20 12.2 37.0 72.01983 304 76 152 38.00 113 75 20 12.2 41.8 80.01984 356 89 178 44.50 155 75 20 14.6 43.8 94.0

1985 400 100 200 50.00 174 75 20 15.5 46.5 89.91986 492 123 246 61.50 214 75 20 15.5 46.5 66.11987 520 130 260 65.00 226 75 20 17.9 53.7 88.11988 540 135 270 67.50 234 75 20 24.8 74.4 72.41989 2 560 — — 25.25 156 75 20 31.9 83.7 40.7

1990 592 148 296 74.00 175 75 20 28.6 85.4 59.21991 628 157 314 78.50 177 100 20 29.9 95.3 82.11992 652 163 326 81.50 192 100 20 31.8 89.8 129.81993 676 169 338 84.50 221 100 20 36.6 104.4 129.21994 696 174 348 87.00 245 100 20 41.1 82.5 111.1

1995 716 179 358 89.50 261 100 20 46.1 100.1 165.51996 736 184 368 92.00 289 100 20 42.5 127.3 167.71997 760 190 380 95.00 311 100 20 43.8 131.4 177.01998 764 191 382 95.50 309 100 20 43.8 132.0 150.41999 768 192 384 96.00 309 100 20 45.5 139.1 160.5

1 Information in the table based on rules beginning in July, through 1983, and in Januarythereafter.

2 Program changes in this year produce irregularities in some series. See text.

SourceSocial Security Bulletin: Annual Statistical Supplement (1999), Table 2.C.1, p. 106.

DocumentationMedicare was established as part of the Social Security Amendments of 1965as a health insurance program for the aged that complemented retirement,survivors, and disability benefits under Title II of the Social Security Act. Itconsists of two separate but coordinated programs: Part A (Hospital Insur-ance, or HI) and Part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance, or SMI).

For a full, detailed summary of Medicare and a history of its provisions,consult the Social Security Bulletin: Annual Statistical Supplement, 1997.

These series do not reflect Medicare changes in The Balanced Budget Actof 1997, enacted August 5 (Public Law 105-33).

HI provides beneficiaries with four kinds of care: (1) inpatient hospitalcare, (2) inpatient care in a skilled-nursing facility, (3) home health care, and(4) hospice care. As of January 1, 1996, once a Medicare beneficiary has paid

the inpatient hospital deductible (IHD), series Bf535, all remaining hospitalcosts for the first sixty days in a benefit period are paid by Medicare. From thesixty-first day through the ninetieth day in a benefit period, the patient paysa daily coinsurance amount, series Bf536, equal to one fourth the amountof the inpatient hospital deductible. Further, since 1968, each HI beneficiaryhas a “lifetime reserve” of sixty days that may be used when the covered dayswithin a benefit period have been exhausted. Lifetime reserve days may beused only once, and the patient must pay one half the inpatient hospitaldeductible as the daily coinsurance amount, series Bf537. Since 1967, the HIprogram has provided the opportunity for care in a skilled-nursing facility.After twenty days, the patient pays a coinsurance payment per day of oneeighth of the IHD, series Bf538.

Some special changes in 1989 led to certain odd figures in that year. Afterthe IHD for the first sixty days, series Bf535, had been paid by the beneficiary,Medicare paid the balance of expenses for covered hospital services, regard-less of the number of days of hospitalization; hence, no values are includedin series Bf536–537. Also, the beneficiary paid a coinsurance rate equal to20 percent of the estimated average daily cost of covered skilled-nursing fa-cility care for the first eight days of care.

(continued)


TABLE Bf535–544 Medicare cost sharing and premium amounts: 1966–1999 Continued

Individuals who are eligible for Social Security or Railroad Retirementbenefits are eligible for premium-free HI when they reach age 65. Workersand their spouses with a sufficient period of Medicare-only coverage in fed-eral, state, or local government employment are also eligible at age 65. HIis also provided to disabled beneficiaries who have been entitled to SocialSecurity or Railroad Retirement disability benefits for at least twenty-fourmonths, and government employees with Medicare-only coverage who havebeen disabled for more than twenty-nine months. Insured workers and theirspouses and children who have end-stage renal disease and who require kid-ney dialysis or a kidney transplant are eligible regardless of age.

Since July 1973, most persons age 65 or older and otherwise ineligiblefor HI have been permitted to enroll voluntarily and pay the monthly pre-mium for HI if they also enroll in SMI. Beginning in 1993, Omnibus BudgetReconciliation legislation stipulated that individuals and their spouses withat least thirty quarters of Social Security coverage were eligible for a reducedpremium over the period 1994–1997. The reduced premiums for each yearin this period were $184, $183, $188, and $187, respectively.

Financing for the HI program is provided through a tax on earnings thatis separate from the tax used to finance Old-Age, Survivors, and Disabil-ity Insurance (OASDI) benefits. Prior to January 1991, the OASDI and HItaxes were applied to the same maximum earnings base. Since that time, theearnings base for HI has increased; the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Actof 1993 repealed the dollar limit and wages and self-employment incomesubject to HI taxes. The HI contribution rate of 1.45 percent applies equallyto employers and employees, and the rate for the self-employed equals thecombined rate of 2.9 percent. Income from contributions is channeled intothe federal HI trust fund, from which HI benefits and administrative costsare paid. After 1977, the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) as-sumed responsibility for administering the program from the Social SecurityAdministration.

The SMI program covers medically necessary services and supplies suchas the following: (1) physician’s, surgeon’s, and some Medicare-approvedpractitioners’ services; (2) services in an emergency room or outpatient clinic;(3) laboratory tests, X-rays, and other radiology services; (4) mental healthcare in a partial hospitalization psychiatric program; (5) ambulatory surgicalcenter services; (6) physical and occupational therapy, and speech pathol-ogy services; (7) comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility services,and certain treatments of a mental illness; (8) radiation therapy, renal (kid-ney) dialysis and transplants, and heart and liver transplant under certain

limited conditions; (9) approved durable medical equipment for home use;and (10) certain drugs and biologicals.

Cost-sharing contributions are required for participants in SMI. Benefi-ciaries must pay the following: an annual deductible, series Bf540; coinsur-ance payments as a percentage of the bill, series Bf541; charges above theMedicare allowed charge; and charges for services that are not covered byMedicare. Noncovered services include routine physical examinations, long-term nursing care, and certain other health care needs such as eyeglasses. Inaddition, the insured pays a monthly premium, series Bf542. The governmentthen pays a supplemental premium for the aged and, since July 1973, for thedisabled, series Bf543–544.

Except for aliens, all persons age 65 and older and all disabled personsentitled to coverage under HI are eligible to enroll in the SMI program on avoluntary basis by paying a monthly premium. Premiums are channeled intothe federal SMI trust fund, and the program is administered by HCFA.

Series Bf540–541. Beginning in April 1968, professional inpatient servicesof pathologists and radiologists were not subject to either a deductible orcoinsurance for SMI. However, after 1980, the pathologists’ and radiologists’services were not subject to a deductible or coinsurance only as long as thephysician accepted assignment (agreed to accept Medicare’s determinationof “reasonable charges” as the full fee for the service). Effective in October1982, these services once again became subject to coinsurance. In 1973 only,home health services were not subject to coinsurance under SMI. In 1981only, home health services were not subject to a deductible.

Series Bf542. In 1973, the monthly premium for SMI for the enrollee wasreduced temporarily to $5.80 in July and $6.10 in August by the Cost of Liv-ing Council. For 1989, the monthly premium reported in the table includesthe standard monthly SMI premium and a supplemental monthly flat pre-mium under the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988. The amountshown is for most Part B enrollees. Residents of Puerto Rico and other terri-tories and commonwealths, as well as other persons enrolled in Part B only,paid different supplemental flat premiums, so that the amount shown inthe table is larger than the amount paid by these individuals. The OmnibusBudget Reconciliation Act of 1989 revised the methodology for determiningthe 1990 SMI premium for enrollees. Before the revision, the rate would havebeen $29.

Series Bf542–543. The monthly premium for SMI for both the enrollee andthe government did not change to $4 until April 1968.


TABLE Bf545–557 Medicare trust fund for hospital insurance – receipts, expenditures, and assets: 1966–1998Contributed by Price V. Fishback and Melissa A. Thomasson


Reimbursements from Administrativegeneral revenues expenses

Railroad Premium Interest on As a TrustIncome from retirement Military receipts from investments percentage fund

Payroll taxation of account Uninsured wage voluntary and other Benefit of benefit assets atTotal taxes benefits transfers persons credits enrollees income Total payment Total payments year-end



1966 1,943 1,858 — 16 26 11 — 32 999 891 108 12.1 9441967 3,559 3,152 — 44 301 11 — 51 3,430 3,353 77 2.3 1,0731968 5,287 4,116 — 54 1,022 22 — 74 4,277 4,179 99 2.4 2,0831969 5,279 4,473 — 64 617 11 — 113 4,857 4,739 118 2.5 2,505

1970 5,979 4,881 — 66 863 11 — 158 5,281 5,124 157 3.1 3,2021971 5,732 4,921 — 66 503 48 — 193 5,900 5,751 150 2.6 3,0341972 6,403 5,731 — 63 381 48 — 180 6,503 6,318 185 2.9 2,9351973 10,821 9,944 — 99 451 48 2 278 7,289 7,057 232 3.3 6,4671974 12,024 10,844 — 132 471 48 5 523 9,372 9,099 272 3.0 9,119

1975 12,980 11,502 — 138 621 48 7 664 11,581 11,315 266 2.4 10,5171976 13,766 12,727 — 143 — 141 9 746 13,679 13,340 339 2.5 10,6051977 15,856 14,114 — — 803 143 12 784 16,019 15,737 283 1.8 10,4421978 19,213 17,324 — 214 688 141 13 834 18,178 17,682 496 2.8 11,4771979 22,825 20,768 — 191 734 141 16 975 21,073 20,623 450 2.2 13,228

1980 26,097 23,848 — 244 697 141 18 1,149 25,577 25,064 512 2.0 13,7491981 35,725 32,959 — 276 659 207 22 1,603 30,726 30,342 384 1.3 18,7481982 37,998 34,586 — 351 808 207 24 2,022 36,144 35,631 513 1.4 8,1641983 44,570 37,259 — 358 878 3,456 27 2,593 39,877 39,337 540 1.4 12,8581984 46,720 42,288 — 351 752 250 33 3,046 43,887 43,257 629 1.5 15,691

1985 51,397 47,576 — 371 766 −719 41 3,362 48,414 47,580 834 1.8 20,4991986 59,267 54,583 — 364 566 91 43 3,619 50,422 49,758 664 1.3 39,9571987 64,064 58,648 — 368 447 94 38 4,469 50,289 49,496 793 1.6 53,7321988 69,239 62,449 — 364 475 80 41 5,830 53,331 52,517 815 1.6 69,6401989 76,721 68,369 — 379 515 86 55 7,317 60,803 60,011 792 1.3 85,558

1990 80,372 72,013 — 367 413 −993 122 8,451 66,997 66,239 758 1.1 98,9331991 88,839 77,851 — 352 605 89 432 9,510 72,570 71,549 1,021 1.4 115,2021992 93,836 81,745 — 374 621 86 522 10,487 85,015 83,895 1,121 1.3 124,0221993 98,187 84,133 — 400 367 81 675 12,531 94,391 93,487 904 1.0 127,8181994 109,570 95,280 1,639 413 506 80 907 10,745 104,545 103,282 1,263 1.2 132,844

1995 115,027 98,421 3,913 396 462 61 954 10,820 117,604 116,368 1,236 1.1 130,2671996 124,603 110,585 4,069 401 419 −2,293 1,199 10,222 129,929 128,632 1,297 1.0 124,9421997 130,154 114,670 3,558 419 481 70 1,319 9,637 139,452 137,762 1,690 1.2 115,6431998 140,547 124,317 5,067 419 34 67 1,316 9,327 135,771 133,990 1,782 1.3 120,419

SourceSocial Security Bulletin, Annual Statistical Supplement (1999), Table 8.A.1, p. 311.The original source of the series is the 1996 Annual Report of the Board ofTrustees of the federal Hospital Insurance (HI) trust fund, Table II.D2.

DocumentationThis table provides information on the Medicare trust fund for HI. The trustfund reports data on receipts from payroll taxes, premiums of voluntary en-rollees, transfers from Railroad Retirement accounts, and reimbursementsfrom general revenues for uninsured persons and military wage credits. Thetable also provides information on expenditures for benefit payments andadministrative expenses. For more detailed information on the Medicareprogram itself, see the text for Table Bf535–544.

Series Bf548–549. For series Bf548, no transfer occurred in 1977 because ofthe change in transfer dates from August to June. The 1978 transfer reflectsbenefits and administrative costs from July 1977 to September 1978. Simi-larly, for series Bf549, no transfer occurred in 1976 because of the change intransfer dates from December to March. The 1977 transfer reflects benefitsand administrative expenses from July 1976 to September 1977.

Series Bf550. In 1977, includes $2 million in reimbursements from generalrevenues for costs arising from the granting of deemed wage credits to per-sons of Japanese ancestry who were interned during World War II. The data

reported for 1938 reflect the lump-sum general revenue transfer, as providedfor in section 151 of Public Law 98-21. Amounts in 1985, 1990, and 1996include a lump-sum general revenue transfer as provided for in section 151of Public Law 98-21. The amounts transferred were −$805 million, −$1,100million, and −$2,366 million, respectively.

Series Bf552. Includes recoveries of amounts reimbursed from the trust fundthat are not obligations of the trust fund, as well as a small amount of mis-cellaneous income. In 1993, includes $1,805 million transferred from Sup-plementary Medical Insurance (SMI) Catastrophic Coverage Reserve Fundas provided for by Public Law 102-394.

Series Bf554. Amounts reported as benefit payments include the costsof Peer Review Organizations, beginning with the implementation of theProspective Payment System on October 1, 1983. In 1998, includes moniestransferred from the SMI trust fund for home health agency costs, as providedfor by Public Law 105-33.

Series Bf555. Data on administrative expenses include the costs of experi-mental and demonstration projects.

Series Bf557. In 1982, total assets reported exclude $12,437 million loanedto the Old-Age, Survivors Insurance trust fund. Repayments of $1,824 mil-lion and $10,613 million occurred in 1985 and 1986, respectively. Amountsreported in those years reflect the repayments.


TABLE Bf558–567 Medicare trust fund for Supplementary Medical Insurance – receipts, expenditures, and assets:1966–1998



Premiums from participantsTrust

Aged Disabled Government Interest and Benefit Administrative fund assetsTotal Total premiums premiums contributions other income Total payments expenses at year-end


Million Million Million Million Million Million Million Million Million MillionYear dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars

1966 324 322 322 — 0 2 203 128 75 1221967 1,597 640 640 — 933 24 1,307 1,197 110 4121968 1,711 832 832 — 858 21 1,702 1,518 184 4211969 1,839 914 914 — 907 18 2,061 1,865 196 199

1970 2,201 1,096 1,096 — 1,093 12 2,212 1,975 237 1881971 2,639 1,302 1,302 — 1,313 24 2,377 2,117 260 4501972 2,808 1,382 1,382 — 1,389 37 2,614 2,325 289 6431973 3,312 1,550 1,491 59 1,705 57 2,844 2,526 318 1,1111974 4,124 1,804 1,664 140 2,225 95 3,728 3,318 410 1,506

1975 4,673 1,918 1,759 158 2,648 107 4,735 4,273 462 1,4441976 5,977 2,060 1,878 183 3,810 107 5,622 5,080 542 1,7991977 7,805 2,247 2,030 217 5,386 172 6,505 6,038 467 3,0991978 9,056 2,470 2,221 248 6,287 299 7,755 7,252 503 4,4001979 9,768 2,719 2,451 267 6,645 404 9,265 8,708 557 4,902

1980 10,874 3,011 2,707 304 7,455 408 11,245 10,635 610 4,5301981 15,374 3,722 3,356 366 11,291 361 14,028 13,113 915 5,8771982 16,580 3,697 3,341 356 12,284 599 16,227 15,455 772 6,2301983 19,824 4,236 3,845 391 14,861 727 18,984 18,106 878 7,0701984 23,180 5,167 4,721 445 17,054 959 20,552 19,661 891 9,698

1985 25,106 5,613 5,105 508 18,250 1,243 23,880 22,947 933 10,9241986 24,665 5,722 5,218 504 17,802 1,141 27,299 26,239 1,060 8,2911987 31,844 7,409 6,747 661 23,560 875 31,740 30,820 920 8,3941988 35,825 8,761 7,983 778 26,203 861 35,230 33,970 1,260 8,9901989 44,349 12,263 9,793 993 30,852 1,234 39,783 38,294 1,489 13,556

1990 45,913 11,320 10,311 1,008 33,035 1,558 43,987 42,468 1,519 15,4821991 51,224 11,934 10,846 1,088 37,602 1,688 48,877 47,336 1,541 17,8281992 57,237 14,077 12,814 1,263 41,359 1,801 50,830 49,260 1,570 24,2351993 57,679 14,193 12,731 1,462 41,465 2,021 57,784 55,784 2,000 24,1311994 55,607 17,386 15,569 1,817 36,203 2,018 60,317 58,618 1,699 19,422

1995 60,306 19,717 17,651 2,066 39,007 1,582 66,599 64,972 1,627 13,1301996 85,609 18,763 16,654 2,109 65,035 1,811 70,408 68,598 1,810 28,3321997 81,924 19,289 17,079 2,210 60,171 2,464 74,124 72,757 1,368 36,1311998 87,711 20,933 18,594 2,338 64,068 2,711 77,630 76,125 1,505 46,212

SourceSocial Security Bulletin: Annual Statistical Supplement (1999), Table 8.A2, p. 312.The original source for the series is the 1999 Annual Report of the Board of Trusteesof the Federal Supplementary Insurance Trust Fund, Table II.D2, and unpublishedTreasury reports.

DocumentationFor more detailed information on Medicare, consult the text for Table Bf535–544.

This table provides information on the Medicare trust fund for Sup-plementary Medical Insurance (SMI). The trust fund reports data on re-ceipts from participant premiums, government contributions, and interestand other income. The table also provides information on expenditures forbenefit payments and administrative expenses.

Series Bf558, Bf563–564, and Bf566–567. Data for 1989 include the im-pact of the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988.

Series Bf559. The receipts from premiums from participants in 1989 includecatastrophic coverage premiums of $1.5 billion that were not distributed be-tween aged and disabled enrollees.

Series Bf559–562. Section 708 of Title VII of the Social Security Act modi-fied the provisions for the delivery of Social Security benefit checks when the

regularly designated delivery day falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal publicholiday. Delivery of benefit checks normally due in January 1982 occurredon December 31, 1981. The SMI premiums withheld from the checks ($264million) and the general revenue matching contributions ($883 million) arethus included in 1981 premium income and general revenue income and arenot included in the 1982 data. Similarly, delivery of benefit checks normallydue in January 1988 occurred on December 31, 1987. The SMI premiumswithheld from the checks ($692 million) and the general revenue matchingcontributions ($2,178 million) are thus included in 1987 premium incomeand general revenue income and are not included in the 1988 data. Deliveryof benefit checks normally due in January 1993 occurred on December 31,1992. The SMI premiums withheld from the checks ($1,089 million) and thegeneral revenue matching contributions ($3,175 million) are thus includedin 1992 premium income and general revenue income and are not includedin the 1993 data. Delivery of benefit checks normally due in January 1999 oc-curred on December 31, 1998. The SMI premiums withheld from the checks($1,512 million) and the general revenue matching contributions ($4,711million) are thus added to the SMI trust fund on December 31, 1998. Theseamounts are excluded from the premium income and general revenue incomefor 1999.

Series Bf562. Government contributions include certain interest-adjustmentitems.


TABLE Bf558–567 Medicare trust fund for Supplementary Medical Insurance – receipts, expenditures, and assets:1966–1998 Continued

Series Bf563. Interest and other income includes recoveries of amounts re-imbursed from the trust fund that are not obligations of the trust fund, andother miscellaneous income. The data reported under trust fund year-end as-sets depends on the total net assets as well as the liabilities of the program. In1989, the total premiums received include $1.5 billion as catastrophic cover-age premiums that are not distributed between aged and disabled enrollees.

Series Bf565. Includes the impact of the transfer to the Hospital Insurance(HI) trust fund of the SMI reserve fund on March 31, 1993, as specifiedin Public Law 102–394. Actual benefit payments for fiscal year 1993 are$53,979 million; the amount transferred was $1,805 million. In 1998, thebenefit payments are less monies transferred from the HI trust fund for homehealth agency costs, as provided by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997.


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and

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usan

dT

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and

Mill

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dolla

rsM

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llars

Mill

ion

dolla

rsM

illio

ndo

llars

Mill

ion

dolla

rsM

illio

ndo

llars

Mill

ion

dolla

rs

1972

17,6

063,

318

108

1,62

57,

841

3,13

71,

576

6,30

01,

925

451,

354

1,13

996

287

519

7319

,622

3,49

610

11,

804

8,65

94,

066

1,49

58,

639

3,23

565

2,01

51,

426

1,44

645

219

7421

,462

3,73

213

52,

222

9,47

84,

392

1,50

29,

983

3,69

180

2,38

81,

694

1,70

442

5

1975

22,0

073,

615

109

2,35

59,

598

4,52

91,

800

12,2

424,

358

933,

052

2,18

62,

062

492

1976

22,8

153,

612

972,

572

9,92

44,

774

1,83

614

,091

4,91

096

3,82

42,

431

2,28

854

219

7722

,831

3,63

692

2,71

09,

651

4,78

51,

959

16,2

395,

499

116

4,76

72,

610

2,60

664

119

7821

,965

3,37

682

2,63

69,

376

4,64

31,

852

17,9

926,

308

116

5,50

52,

748

2,67

364

319

7921

,520

3,36

479

2,67

49,

106

4,57

01,

727

20,4

727,

046

108

6,77

42,

884

3,02

163

8

1980

21,6

053,

440

922,

819

9,33

34,

877

1,49

923

,311

8,73

912

47,

497

3,12

33,

231

596

1981

21,8

903,

367

862,

993

9,58

15,

187

1,36

427

,204

9,92

615

49,

301

3,50

83,

763

552

1982

21,6

033,

240

842,

806

9,56

35,

356

1,43

429

,399

10,7

3917

210

,233

3,47

34,

093

689

1983

21,5

543,

371

772,

844

9,53

55,

592

1,12

932

,391

11,9

5418

311

,184

3,83

64,

487

747

1984

21,6

073,

238

792,

834

9,63

45,

600

1,18

733

,891

12,8

1521

911

,758

3,97

94,

420

700

1985

21,8

143,

061

802,

937

9,75

75,

518

1,21

437

,508

14,0

9624

913

,203

4,41

44,

746

798

1986

22,5

153,

140

823,

100

10,0

295,

647

1,36

241

,005

15,0

9727

714

,635

5,13

54,

880

980

1987

23,1

093,

224

853,

296

10,1

685,

599

1,41

845

,050

16,0

3730

916

,507

5,50

85,

592

1,07

819

8822

,907

3,15

986

3,40

110

,037

5,50

31,

343

48,7

1017

,135

344

18,2

505,

848

5,88

31,

198

1989

23,5

113,

132

953,

496

10,3

185,

717

1,17

554

,500

18,5

5840

920

,476

6,89

26,

897

1,26

8

1990

25,2

553,

202

833,

635

11,2

206,

010

1,10

564

,859

21,5

0843

423

,969

9,10

08,

590

1,25

719

9128

,280

3,35

985

3,98

313

,415

6,77

865

877

,048

25,4

5347

527

,798

11,6

9010

,439

1,19

319

9230

,926

3,74

284

4,37

815

,104

6,95

466

490

,814

29,0

7853

033

,326

14,4

9112

,185

1,20

419

9333

,432

3,86

384

4,93

216

,285

7,50

576

310

1,70

931

,554

589

38,0

6516

,504

13,6

051,

391

1994

35,0

534,

035

875,

372

17,1

947,

586

779

108,

270

33,6

1864

441

,654

17,3

0213

,585

1,46

7

1995

36,2

824,

119

925,

767

17,1

647,

604

1,53

712

0,14

136

,527

848

48,5

7017

,976

13,5

112,

708

1996

36,1

184,

285

956,

126

16,7

397,

127

1,74

612

1,68

536

,947

869

51,1

9617

,544

12,2

752,

746

1997

34,8

723,

955

—6,

129

15,2

666,

803

2,71

912

4,43

037

,721

—54

,130

15,6

5812

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4,61

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TABLE Bf582–590 Public assistance – vendor payments for medical care, by program: 1951–1975Contributed by Price V. Fishback and Melissa A. Thomasson

Total

Aspercentage of Aid to the Aid tototal public For the Permanently Families withassistance Title XIX aged under Old-Age Aid to the and Totally Dependent General

Amount payments (Medicaid) Title I Assistance Blind Disabled Children assistance


Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand ThousandYear dollars Percent dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars

1951 103,179 4.3 — — 41,728 1,196 3,445 10,413 46,3971952 139,539 5.7 — — 64,520 1,888 9,187 12,839 51,1051953 165,721 6.5 — — 83,395 2,351 13,591 15,069 51,3151954 190,851 7.2 — — 92,676 2,545 17,124 16,772 61,733

1955 231,544 8.4 — — 117,748 3,170 21,302 21,197 68,1271956 268,866 9.4 — — 141,918 3,892 26,062 24,833 72,1611957 302,143 9.8 — — 158,799 4,642 27,722 33,332 77,6481958 357,758 10.4 — — 176,827 5,688 31,342 51,114 92,7861959 456,944 12.5 — — 254,389 6,846 41,268 58,143 96,298

1960 522,228 13.8 — 5,348 295,743 7,950 50,110 61,093 101,9831961 688,320 16.8 — 113,387 316,479 8,513 60,294 79,384 110,2621962 924,978 20.8 — 250,830 388,434 9,854 77,409 96,336 102,1151963 1,064,664 22.6 — 329,391 412,906 10,895 97,698 110,569 103,2061964 1,255,131 24.7 — 444,970 432,237 11,577 117,692 137,832 110,823

1965 1,480,119 27.0 — 585,501 452,289 12,255 144,165 164,845 121,0631966 2,007,626 31.8 1,193,768 293,442 277,766 5,623 78,485 74,059 84,4841967 2,872,696 36.8 2,510,531 63,916 160,627 2,996 38,309 30,210 66,1061968 4,096,133 41.9 3,783,095 65,267 105,294 2,698 36,598 27,193 75,9891969 4,681,110 40.5 4,360,445 58,873 103,566 2,702 40,311 31,317 83,311

1970 5,605,610 38.7 5,506,940 — — — — — 98,6701971 6,953,129 39.0 6,842,098 — — — — — 111,0311972 8,804,716 44.0 8,707,524 — — — — — 97,1921973 9,919,266 46.4 9,806,853 — — — — — 112,4131974 11,782,345 57.0 11,476,418 — — — — — 305,927

1975 14,555,229 57.9 14,177,418 — — — — — 377,811

SourceSocial Security Administration, Social Security Bulletin: Annual Statistical Supple-ment (1975), p. 187.

DocumentationThe series here show the precursors of Medicaid in federal government pro-vision of medical assistance. Beginning October 1, 1950, under the 1950amendments, federal participation in vendor payments for medical care be-came possible in the assistance to old-age, blind, disabled, and families withdependent children programs. The federal government was not involved inmedical assistance under the General Assistance programs, which were fi-nanced entirely from state and local funds. Medical assistance for the aged

under Title I of the Social Security Act, series Bf585, was initiated in October1960 under the 1960 amendments. Medicaid medical assistance under TitleXIX of the Social Security Act, series Bf584, was initiated January 1966 un-der the 1965 amendments. Beginning in January 1970, medical assistancereplaced the original medical assistance for the aged program under TitleI and the medical vendor payments under Old-Age Assistance, Aid to theBlind, Aid to the Permanently and Totally Disabled, and Aid to Families withDependent Children.

Series Bf584. Beginning in 1972, Medicaid spending under Title XIX includespayments for institutional services in intermediate care facilities.

Series Bf590. Complete data are not available.


TABLE Bf591–598 Supplemental Security Income program – persons receiving payments from federal or stategovernments: 1974–1998


State supplementation

Federal, or federally Federal only, oradministered state federal with state

Federally administered State administered

Total supplementation supplementation Total Total Only Total Only


Year Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Number

1974 4,027,572 3,996,064 — — — — 300,724 31,508

1975 4,359,625 4,314,275 3,893,419 1,987,409 1,684,018 420,856 303,391 45,3501976 4,285,785 4,235,939 3,799,069 1,912,550 1,638,173 436,870 274,377 49,8461977 4,287,299 4,237,692 3,777,856 1,927,340 1,657,645 459,836 269,695 49,6071978 4,265,473 4,216,925 3,754,663 1,946,921 1,681,403 462,262 265,518 48,5481979 4,202,727 4,149,575 3,687,119 1,941,572 1,684,283 462,456 257,289 53,152

1980 4,194,100 4,142,017 3,682,411 1,934,239 1,684,765 459,606 249,474 52,0831981 4,067,421 4,018,875 3,590,103 1,874,844 1,625,279 428,772 249,565 48,5461982 3,908,466 3,857,590 3,473,301 1,798,400 1,550,405 384,289 247,995 50,8761983 3,955,767 3,901,497 3,589,521 1,811,614 1,557,714 311,976 253,900 54,2701984 4,093,956 4,029,333 3,698,758 1,875,187 1,607,234 330,575 267,953 64,623

1985 4,200,177 4,138,021 3,799,092 1,915,503 1,660,847 338,929 254,656 62,1561986 4,346,652 4,269,184 3,921,661 2,002,746 1,723,401 347,523 279,345 77,4681987 4,457,847 4,384,999 4,019,297 2,078,503 1,806,847 365,702 271,656 72,8481988 4,541,441 4,463,869 4,088,988 2,154,759 1,884,675 374,881 270,084 77,5721989 4,672,577 4,593,059 4,206,390 2,224,122 1,949,585 386,669 274,537 79,518

1990 4,888,180 4,817,127 4,412,131 2,343,803 2,058,273 404,996 285,530 71,0531991 5,199,539 5,118,470 4,729,639 2,512,220 2,204,329 388,831 307,891 81,0691992 5,646,877 5,566,189 5,202,249 2,684,371 2,371,564 363,940 312,807 80,6881993 6,064,502 5,984,330 5,635,995 2,849,887 2,536,349 348,335 313,538 80,1721994 6,377,111 6,295,786 5,965,130 2,950,470 2,628,431 330,658 322,039 81,325

1995 6,515,753 6,514,134 6,194,493 2,817,408 2,517,805 319,641 299,603 61,6191996 6,676,729 6,613,718 6,325,531 2,731,681 2,421,470 288,187 310,211 63,0111997 6,564,613 6,494,985 6,211,867 3,029,449 2,372,479 283,118 656,970 69,6281998 6,649,465 6,566,069 6,289,070 3,072,392 2,411,707 276,999 660,685 83,396

SourcesU.S. Social Security Administration, Social Security Bulletin: Annual Statistical Sup-plement (1999), Table 7.A3, p. 287. Annual data from earlier years are fromSocial Security Bulletin: Annual Statistical Supplement (1983) and Social SecurityBulletin: Annual Statistical Supplement (1988).

DocumentationThe Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program was implemented in 1974and superseded the former programs of Old-Age Assistance, Aid to the Blind,and Aid to the Permanently and Totally Disabled, except in the U.S. territoriesof Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands. SSI provides income supportto persons age 65 and older, and blind or disabled adults and children. Thefederal payment is based on the individual’s countable income, althoughnot all income is counted against the federal SSI benefit level. States havethe option to supplement the SSI floor and are required to supplement thefederal benefit rate under certain circumstances.

A detailed legislative history and program summary is available in theSocial Security Bulletin: Annual Statistical Supplement (1997).

Data are reported in December of every year. In 1974, data were un-available for some series in December, but were reported in January. Theseseries are listed in the Social Security Bulletin Annual Statistical Supplement (1997),pp. 287–90.

Administration of SSI PaymentsThe administration of SSI payments is complex. Some persons receive onlyfederal payments, others receive both federal payments and a state sup-plementation, and some receive federally administered state supplements.Details are described next.

Series Bf592. Includes persons receiving a federal payment, as well as thosereceiving a state supplement administered by the federal government.

Series Bf593. Includes persons receiving a federal payment of some form,either a federal payment alone or a federal payment with a state supplement.The state supplementations are administered sometimes by the federal gov-ernment and sometimes by the state government.

Series Bf595. Includes persons receiving either federally administered statesupplements only, or both a federal SSI payment and state supplement.

Series Bf596. Includes persons receiving only federally administered statesupplementation.

Series Bf597. Includes persons receiving either state supplementation onlyor both a federal payment and state-administered state supplementation.

Series Bf598. Includes persons receiving only state-administered state sup-plementation.


TABLE Bf599–620 Supplemental Security Income program – beneficiaries, payments, and monthly benefits,by source of funds and disability status: 1974–1999


Total SSI payments SSI average monthly benefit

Federally Stateadministered administered

State supplementation

state state Federally Federally StateTotal Federal supplementation supplementation Total administered Federal Total administered administered


Thousand Thousand Thousand ThousandYear dollars dollars dollars dollars Dollars Dollars Dollars Dollars Dollars Dollars

1974 5,245,719 3,833,161 1,263,652 148,906 114.76 112.83 — — — 37.75

1975 5,878,224 4,313,538 1,402,534 162,152 116.36 114.39 96.17 66.86 70.71 45.591976 6,065,842 4,512,061 1,388,154 165,627 121.53 119.70 101.72 70.24 73.63 50.001977 6,306,041 4,703,292 1,430,794 171,955 126.39 124.52 106.61 72.39 75.36 53.681978 6,552,068 4,880,691 1,490,947 180,430 131.79 129.61 111.98 73.02 75.00 58.911979 7,075,394 5,279,181 1,589,544 206,669 157.87 155.65 123.89 106.45 112.26 71.23

1980 7,940,734 5,866,354 1,848,286 226,094 170.42 167.77 143.35 96.93 99.15 79.851981 8,593,414 6,517,727 1,838,969 236,718 185.49 182.73 160.29 95.46 97.78 80.311982 8,981,328 6,907,043 1,798,453 275,832 198.87 195.83 174.72 94.75 95.81 88.081983 9,404,227 7,422,524 1,711,319 270,384 214.69 211.68 188.94 94.42 94.81 92.011984 10,371,790 8,281,017 1,792,089 298,684 221.87 219.01 196.16 97.46 97.61 96.60

1985 11,060,476 8,777,341 1,972,597 310,538 228.66 226.06 200.84 103.06 103.82 98.051986 12,081,025 9,498,047 2,243,332 339,646 246.93 244.48 215.40 114.14 115.47 105.931987 12,951,091 10,029,197 2,562,700 359,194 254.23 251.58 218.39 122.95 124.76 110.851988 13,786,207 10,734,202 2,670,561 381,444 263.09 260.18 227.49 122.80 122.68 123.601989 14,979,898 11,606,066 2,954,668 419,164 277.65 274.63 238.83 131.61 131.70 130.90

1990 16,598,680 12,893,805 3,239,154 465,721 303.19 299.22 261.47 140.11 139.79 141.011991 18,524,229 14,764,795 3,230,844 528,590 324.44 320.53 286.03 132.99 130.55 150.461992 22,232,503 18,246,934 3,435,476 550,093 361.63 358.49 329.74 121.70 118.08 149.141993 24,556,867 20,721,613 3,269,540 565,714 348.18 344.92 317.41 113.22 108.50 151.001994 25,876,570 22,175,233 3,115,854 585,483 353.86 350.54 325.26 107.22 101.46 154.15

1995 27,627,658 23,919,430 3,117,850 590,378 361.58 358.40 334.12 109.31 105.24 143.911996 28,791,924 25,264,878 2,987,596 539,450 366.40 362.75 339.24 110.00 104.58 152.311997 29,052,089 25,457,387 2,913,181 681,521 — — — — — —1998 30,216,345 26,404,793 3,003,415 608,137 — — — — — —1999 — — — — — — — — — —

(continued)

Total SSI payments Persons receiving payments Federal monthly SSI average monthlyfor assistance to under program for benefit rates benefits for

Increment forIndividual Couple “essential

in own in own person” inAged Blind Disabled Aged Blind Disabled household household household Aged Blind Disabled


Thousand Thousand ThousandYear dollars dollars dollars Number Number Number Dollars Dollars Dollars Dollars Dollars Dollars

1974 2,503,407 130,195 2,601,936 2,307,722 75,528 1,644,322 146 219 73 93.15 143.30 143.78

1975 2,604,792 130,936 3,142,476 2,333,685 75,315 1,950,625 158 237 79 92.99 148.96 143.071976 2,508,483 137,793 3,419,543 2,175,442 77,223 2,032,675 168 252 84 96.33 155.32 147.211977 2,448,724 146,070 3,710,788 2,077,945 78,363 2,130,991 178 267 89 98.75 161.39 152.051978 2,432,738 152,210 3,965,611 1,995,982 78,028 2,191,145 189 284 94 102.96 167.19 156.781979 2,525,374 166,835 4,380,932 1,903,369 78,108 2,220,827 208 312 104 125.66 214.56 183.80

1980 2,734,270 190,075 5,013,948 1,838,381 79,139 2,276,130 238 357 119 131.75 215.70 200.061981 2,818,143 206,263 5,566,157 1,707,166 79,198 2,280,525 265 397 133 141.56 230.33 216.811982 2,824,003 216,936 5,908,841 1,578,968 77,929 2,251,013 284 426 143 150.06 244.79 231.481983 2,813,897 229,374 6,356,975 1,545,999 79,446 2,329,596 304 437 153 162.30 259.74 247.871984 2,974,122 248,762 7,143,212 1,562,064 80,948 2,449,947 314 472 157 162.55 268.30 258.08

1985 3,034,596 264,162 7,754,588 1,529,674 82,622 2,586,741 325 488 163 168.30 277.32 262.711986 3,096,142 277,102 8,699,773 1,506,496 83,557 2,755,401 336 504 168 178.20 290.23 283.081987 3,194,145 291,174 9,457,787 1,483,353 83,876 2,888,852 340 510 170 187.24 299.74 288.291988 3,298,922 302,135 10,176,906 1,464,459 83,316 2,992,606 354 532 177 193.32 309.47 295.861989 3,476,324 315,692 11,180,155 1,471,216 83,267 3,117,095 368 553 184 203.83 322.97 311.20

(continued)


TABLE Bf599–620 Supplemental Security Income program – beneficiaries, payments, and monthly benefits,by source of funds and disability status: 1974–1999 Continued

Total SSI payments Persons receiving payments Federal monthly SSI average monthlyfor assistance to under program for benefit rates benefits for

Increment forIndividual Couple “essential

in own in own person” inAged Blind Disabled Aged Blind Disabled household household household Aged Blind Disabled


Thousand Thousand ThousandYear dollars dollars dollars Number Number Number Dollars Dollars Dollars Dollars Dollars Dollars

1990 3,736,104 334,120 12,520,568 1,484,160 84,109 3,319,911 386 579 193 218.81 345.17 339.431991 3,890,412 346,828 14,268,192 1,497,817 85,227 3,615,438 407 610 204 228.15 355.33 363.541992 4,139,612 370,769 17,710,514 1,504,586 86,070 4,055,105 422 633 211 234.35 366.06 408.721993 4,250,092 374,998 19,925,929 1,507,463 86,169 4,469,711 434 652 217 243.62 363.94 383.111994 4,366,528 372,461 21,131,001 1,499,367 85,609 4,790,658 446 669 223 250.13 369.30 386.04

1995 4,467,146 375,512 22,778,547 1,479,415 84,273 5,010,326 458 687 229 256.92 374.76 392.271996 4,507,202 371,869 23,905,578 1,446,321 82,815 5,145,850 470 705 235 268.04 382.97 393.781997 4,531,973 374,857 24,006,254 1,395,845 81,449 5,078,995 484 726 242 — — —1998 4,424,877 366,452 25,304,721 1,369,206 81,029 5,190,815 494 741 — — — —1999 — — — — — — 500 751 — — — —

SourcesMost recent data for series Bf599–602 and Bf609–616, U.S. Social Secu-rity Administration, Social Security Bulletin: Annual Statistical Supplement (1999),Tables 7.A3 and 7.A4, pp. 287–8 and Table 2.B1, p. 90; (1997), Tables7.A3 and 7.A4, pp. 288–9; and Table 2.B.1, p. 90. Most recent data forseries Bf603–608 and Bf616–620, U.S. Social Security Administration, So-cial Security Bulletin: Annual Statistical Supplement, 1997, Tables 7.A3, and7.A5, pp. 288–9 and Table 2.B.1, p. 92. Annual data from earlier yearsis from Social Security Bulletin: Annual Statistical Supplement (1981, 1983, and1988).

DocumentationSee Table Bf591–598 for a discussion of the Supplemental Security Incomeprogram.

Series Bf603–608 and Bf618–620. The series for average monthly paymentsreported here include retroactive payments. The Annual Statistical Supplementsfor 1998 and 1999 report the series excluding retroactive payments, whichcan be as much as 7 percent of average payments.

Series Bf612–614 and Bf618–620. As of December.

Series Bf615–617. The rates effective July 1 (1974–1983) and January 1thereafter. Information for series Bf617 is no longer reported for years after1996.

TABLE Bf621–633 Public assistance – recipients and annual payments, by program: 1933–1975 [Earlier estimates]Contributed by Price V. Fishback and Melissa A. Thomasson

Annual payments Recipients

Aid to Families withDependent Children

Aid to the Aid to the Aid to the InstitutionalPermanently Families with Permanently services in

Old-Age Aid to and Totally Dependent General Old-Age Aid to and Totally General intermediate-Assistance the Blind Disabled Children assistance Assistance the Blind Disabled Families All persons Children assistance care facilities

Bf621 1 Bf622 1 Bf623 1 Bf624 Bf625 Bf626 1 Bf627 1 Bf628 1 Bf629 Bf630 Bf631 Bf632 Bf633

Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand ThousandYear dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand

1933 26,071 5,839 — 40,504 758,752 107 25 — 112 — 285 — —1934 32,244 7,073 — 40,636 1,200,615 206 33 — 113 — 280 — —

1935 64,966 7,970 — 41,727 1,433,182 378 35 — 117 — 286 — —1936 155,500 12,800 — 49,700 437,100 1,106 45 — 162 546 404 4,545 —1937 309,600 16,200 — 70,500 406,700 1,579 56 — 229 769 568 4,840 —1938 394,900 19,000 — 97,600 475,600 1,779 67 — 281 935 688 5,177 —1939 433,500 20,400 — 114,800 482,100 1,912 70 — 316 1,042 764 4,675 —

1940 472,800 21,700 — 133,400 392,200 2,070 73 — 372 1,222 895 3,618 —1941 540,100 22,900 — 153,300 273,200 2,238 77 — 391 1,288 944 2,068 —1942 593,400 24,600 — 158,400 180,400 2,230 79 — 349 1,158 851 1,000 —1943 650,000 25,000 — 140,400 110,900 2,149 76 — 272 916 676 558 —1944 690,700 25,300 — 135,100 89,300 2,066 72 — 254 862 639 477 —

1945 725,700 26,500 — 149,500 86,300 2,056 71 — 274 943 701 507 —1946 819,800 30,700 — 208,400 120,400 2,196 77 — 346 1,190 885 673 —1947 986,400 36,200 — 294,000 164,200 2,332 81 — 416 1,426 1,060 739 —1948 1,128,200 41,300 — 362,800 198,500 2,498 86 — 475 1,632 1,214 842 —1949 1,372,900 48,400 — 472,400 281,300 2,736 93 — 599 2,048 1,521 1,337 —

(continued)


TABLE Bf621–633 Public assistance – recipients and annual payments, by program: 1933–1975[Earlier estimates] Continued

Annual payments Recipients

Aid to Families withDependent Children

Aid to the Aid to the Aid to the InstitutionalPermanently Families with Permanently services in

Old-Age Aid to and Totally Dependent General Old-Age Aid to and Totally General intermediate-Assistance the Blind Disabled Children assistance Assistance the Blind Disabled Families All persons Children assistance care facilities

Bf621 1 Bf622 1 Bf623 1 Bf624 Bf625 Bf626 1 Bf627 1 Bf628 1 Bf629 Bf630 Bf631 Bf632 Bf633

Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand ThousandYear dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand

1950 1,453,900 52,600 8,000 547,200 292,800 2,786 97 69 651 2,233 1,661 866 —1951 1,427,600 54,500 54,300 548,800 194,500 2,701 97 124 592 2,041 1,523 664 —1952 1,462,900 59,600 81,500 538,000 169,500 2,635 98 161 596 1,991 1,495 587 —1953 1,513,300 63,600 102,000 544,000 151,300 2,582 100 192 547 1,941 1,464 618 —1954 1,497,600 65,200 119,800 573,100 196,000 2,553 102 222 604 2,173 1,639 880 —

1955 1,488,000 67,800 134,600 612,200 214,000 2,538 104 241 602 2,192 1,661 743 —1956 1,529,000 72,900 150,100 634,900 197,200 2,499 107 266 615 2,270 1,731 731 —1957 1,609,400 78,700 172,200 716,800 211,100 2,480 108 290 667 2,497 1,912 907 —1958 1,647,400 81,500 196,600 839,900 303,300 2,438 110 325 755 2,486 2,181 1,246 —1959 1,620,700 83,600 217,300 937,200 342,000 2,370 108 346 776 2,946 2,265 1,107 —

1960 1,626,000 86,100 236,400 994,400 319,500 2,305 107 369 803 3,073 2,370 1,244 —1961 1,569,000 84,500 255,600 1,148,800 351,400 2,229 103 389 916 3,566 2,753 1,069 —1962 1,566,100 83,900 281,100 1,289,800 289,500 2,183 99 428 932 3,789 2,844 900 —1963 1,610,300 85,100 317,700 1,355,500 277,400 2,152 97 464 954 3,930 2,951 872 —1964 1,606,600 86,200 355,600 1,496,500 270,300 2,120 95 509 1,012 4,219 3,170 779 —

1965 1,594,200 77,300 416,800 1,644,100 260,600 2,087 85 557 1,054 4,396 3,316 677 —1966 1,630,100 84,700 487,200 1,849,900 251,900 2,073 84 588 1,127 4,666 3,526 663 —1967 1,698,100 87,000 573,600 2,249,700 323,100 2,073 83 646 1,297 5,309 3,986 782 —1968 1,673,200 87,800 655,800 2,823,800 419,500 2,027 81 702 1,522 6,086 4,555 826 141969 1,746,700 91,400 786,800 3,533,300 474,500 2,074 81 803 1,875 7,313 5,413 860 92

1970 1,866,100 97,500 975,500 4,857,200 632,400 2,082 81 935 2,552 9,659 7,033 1,056 1631971 1,919,700 100,700 1,185,300 6,230,400 760,600 2,024 80 1,068 2,918 10,653 7,707 982 1961972 1,894,000 104,700 1,392,900 7,019,600 741,000 1,933 80 1,169 3,123 11,069 7,986 865 —1973 1,749,300 103,000 1,566,100 7,291,900 688,100 1,820 78 1,275 3,156 10,815 7,813 700 —1974 4,800 100 3,000 7,990,800 825,400 19 (Z) 17 3,312 11,006 7,885 851 —

1975 4,600 100 2,900 9,348,900 1,138,000 19 (Z) 17 3,555 11,389 8,090 977 —

(Z) Fewer than 500 recipients.1 Beginning in 1974, includes only Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands. See text.

SourcesU.S. Social Security Administration, Social Security Bulletin, Annual StatisticalSupplement (1975), Table 175, and Social Security Bulletin, Annual Statistical Sup-plement (1966), Table 113. For years 1933–1935: Social Security Bulletin 14 (9)(1951): 43.

DocumentationPrior to 1935 public assistance was a state and local responsibility. After theSocial Security Administration Act of 1935, assistance programs financed inpart by federal grants-in-aid were in effect on a statewide basis in 1936 inforty-two states for Old-Age Assistance, twenty-seven states for Aid to De-pendent Children, and twenty-five states for Aid to the Blind. Programs havebeen in effect in the forty-eight contiguous states and the District of Columbiabeginning 1938 for Old-Age Assistance, 1955 for Aid to Dependent Children,and 1953 for Aid to the Blind. Approval of the first plans for Aid to the Per-manently and Totally Disabled was effective October 1950 and, in 1957,forty-four states and the District of Columbia were participating. Assistancepayments for all the previously mentioned programs were still financed inpart from federal funds and, with the exception of Nevada (Aid to the Per-manently and Totally Disabled), these programs were in effect in all fiftystates, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands until1974. General assistance, provided from state or local funds or both, is avail-able to certain other categories of needy persons in all fifty-four jurisdictions.

Beginning in the Social Security Bulletin, Annual Statistical Supplement (1976),p. 200, data on the Public Assistance programs were reported from a differ-ent source, and the new series reported were considered not comparable withthe previously listed series. See Table Bf634–648 for modern information onthese programs back to 1960 and for 1955, 1950, 1945, 1940, and 1936.

Series Bf630. Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) recipientsinclude children and one or both parents, or one caretaker relative otherthan a parent, in families in which the requirements of such adults wereconsidered in determining the amount of assistance. The figure is partiallyestimated before 1950. The program for Aid to Dependent Children beganpaying benefits to support payments for a mother or other relative caringfor the child in 1950. Under the Public Welfare Amendments of 1962, theprogram was renamed Aid to Families with Dependent Children to reflect ex-panded coverage of the adults caring for the dependent children. The AFDCand the Emergency Assistance programs have been replaced by the Tempo-rary Assistance for Needy Families program under the Personal Responsibilityand Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. The Act was designed tolimit the length of time that families could receive assistance and promote areturn to the work force by those who are able.

Series Bf632. Partly estimated. For certain periods, the series excludes datafor Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico,Tennessee, Texas, and Vermont. The number of recipients in 1933–1935was not reported, but the number of cases was 3.246 million in 1933, 5.368million in 1934, 2.89 million in 1935, and 1.51 million in 1936.

Series Bf621–623 and Bf626–628. Beginning in 1974, includes only PuertoRico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands, because the Old-Age Assistance, Aidto the Blind, and Totally Disabled programs for the United States were su-perceded by Supplementary Security Income, except in those territories.

Series Bf626–633. In December.

Series Bf630. The original source may contain a typographical error for1958 because the percentage of recipients who are children – series Bf631divided by series Bf630 – is unusually high. The value reported here is believedto be true.


TAB

LEB

f634

–648

Pub

licas

sist

ance

–re

cipi

ents

and

annu

alpa

ymen

ts,b

ypr

ogra

m:1

936–

1997

Con

trib

uted

byPr

ice

V.Fi

shba

ckan

dM

elis

saA

.Tho

mas

son

Ann

ualp

aym

ents

Ave

rage

mon

thly

num

ber

ofre

cipi

ents

TAN

F/A

FDC

Aid

toth

eA

idto

the

Rec

ipie

nts

Stat

esw

ith

Per

man

entl

yP

erm

anen

tly

emer

genc

yO

ld-A

geA

idto

and

Tota

llyG

ener

alEm

erge

ncy

Old

-Age

Aid

toan

dTo

tally

Gen

eral

Emer

genc

yas

sist

ance

Ass

ista

nce

the

Blin

dD

isab

led

TAN

F/A

FDC

assi

stan

ceas

sist

ance

Ass

ista

nce

the

Blin

dD

isab

led

Fam

ilies

Tota

lC

hild

ren

assi

stan

ceas

sist

ance

prog

ram

s

Bf6

341

Bf6

351

Bf6

361

Bf6

37B

f638

Bf6

39B

f640

1B

f641

1B

f642

1B

f643

Bf6

44B

f645

Bf6

462

Bf6

47B

f648

Tho

usan

dT

hous

and

Tho

usan

dT

hous

and

Tho

usan

dT

hous

and

Year

dolla

rsdo

llars

dolla

rsdo

llars

dolla

rsdo

llars

Tho

usan

dT

hous

and

Tho

usan

dT

hous

and

Tho

usan

dT

hous

and

Tho

usan

dT

hous

and

Stat

es

1936

155,

484

12,8

11—

49,6

7843

7,13

4—

738

42.7

—14

753

436

14,

545

——

1940

475,

704

21,8

38—

133,

770

404,

963

—1,

986

71.6

—34

91,

182

840

3,61

8—

—19

4572

6,55

026

,557

—14

9,66

787

,930

—2,

044

71.2

—25

990

765

650

7—

—19

501,

461,

624

52,6

987,

967

551,

653

298,

262

—2,

783

95.5

6364

42,

205

1,63

786

6—

—19

551,

490,

352

67,9

5813

5,16

861

7,84

121

4,26

6—

2,53

910

3.5

234

612

2,21

41,

673

785

——

1960

1,62

9,54

186

,231

237,

366

1,00

0,78

432

2,46

5—

2,33

010

7.4

359

787

3,00

52,

314

1,07

1—

—19

611,

571,

309

84,7

3925

6,91

01,

156,

769

355,

991

—2,

261

104.

637

986

93,

354

2,58

71,

182

——

1962

1,57

1,16

284

,039

282,

711

1,29

8,77

429

2,70

9—

2,19

699

.940

993

13,

676

2,81

890

2—

—19

631,

615,

023

85,3

3531

8,94

81,

365,

851

279,

623

—2,

159

97.4

448

947

3,87

62,

909

861

——

1964

1,61

2,98

386

,558

357,

856

1,51

0,35

227

2,73

7—

2,13

196

.248

899

24,

118

3,09

178

2—

—

1965

1,60

0,70

885

,121

417,

720

1,66

0,18

625

9,22

5—

2,10

591

.553

61,

039

4,32

93,

256

703

——

1966

1,63

3,67

585

,615

487,

301

1,86

3,92

526

3,86

6—

2,07

784

.457

21,

088

4,51

33,

411

636

——

1967

1,70

2,09

187

,711

574,

574

2,26

6,40

032

5,84

7—

2,06

783

.061

71,

217

5,01

43,

771

713

——

1968

1,67

6,63

288

,885

658,

589

2,84

9,29

842

1,21

1—

2,03

281

.367

41,

410

5,70

54,

275

789

——

1969

1,75

2,73

092

,204

788,

079

3,56

3,42

747

2,36

06,

699

2,04

380

.375

81,

698

6,70

64,

985

817

7.5

23

1970

1,86

2,41

298

,292

999,

861

4,85

2,96

461

8,31

911

,396

2,06

180

.487

72,

208

8,46

66,

214

957

7.5

2319

711,

888,

878

100,

840

1,18

9,63

66,

203,

528

760,

559

19,8

432,

055

80.5

1,00

42,

762

10,2

417,

434

1,00

911

.124

1972

1,87

6,75

510

5,51

51,

390,

509

6,90

9,26

074

0,49

944

,180

2,00

380

.61,

133

3,04

910

,947

7,90

588

919

.927

1973

1,74

3,46

510

4,37

31,

609,

572

7,21

2,03

568

8,50

239

,265

1,85

278

.21,

217

3,14

810

,949

7,90

274

618

.829

1974

4,72

588

2,94

77,

916,

563

825,

408

64,0

3119

0.5

173,

230

10,8

647,

822

758

31.3

29

1975

4,59

979

2,95

39,

210,

995

1,13

8,21

177

,516

180.

417

3,49

811

,346

8,09

596

438

.329

1976

4,78

375

3,06

610

,140

,543

1,22

7,86

555

,673

190.

417

3,57

911

,304

8,00

193

427

.526

1977

7,93

876

3,42

610

,603

,820

1,23

7,60

966

,132

190.

418

3,58

811

,050

7,77

386

132

.826

1978

5,07

682

3,75

410

,730

,415

1,20

5,38

180

,919

190.

419

3,52

210

,570

7,40

279

334

.526

1979

9,44

817

09,

064

11,0

68,8

641,

230,

744

84,0

4319

0.4

203,

509

10,3

127,

179

796

35.7

24

1980

8,87

313

58,

702

12,4

75,2

451,

442,

278

113,

238

190.

321

3,71

210

,774

7,41

994

548

.627

1981

9,40

015

910

,364

12,9

81,1

15—

123,

467

190.

322

3,83

511

,079

7,52

71,

006

49.1

2719

828,

039

139

9,86

912

,877

,906

—10

2,34

419

0.3

223,

542

10,2

586,

903

1,14

127

.527

1983

7,88

913

69,

846

13,8

37,2

28—

125,

246

180.

322

3,68

610

,761

7,09

81,

299

30.0

2719

847,

839

129

10,0

5714

,503

,710

—14

1,13

718

0.3

223,

714

10,8

317,

144

1,36

432

.127

1985

7,62

013

410

,412

15,1

95,8

35—

157,

304

180.

323

3,70

110

,855

7,19

81,

326

32.6

2819

867,

532

135

10,9

7616

,033

,074

—17

8,28

417

0.3

243,

763

11,0

387,

334

1,30

334

.828

1987

7,43

413

710

,825

16,3

72,5

35—

213,

903

170.

324

3,77

611

,027

7,36

61,

168

42.4

2919

887,

354

131

11,0

1216

,826

,794

—27

8,90

617

0.3

243,

749

10,9

157,

329

1,10

648

.830

1989

7,27

313

911

,559

17,4

65,9

43—

296,

841

170.

325

3,79

910

,993

7,42

01,

105

48.7

31

Not

esap

pear

aten

dof

tabl

e(c

onti

nued

)


Ann

ualp

aym

ents

Ave

rage

mon

thly

num

ber

ofre

cipi

ents

TAN

F/A

FDC

Aid

toth

eA

idto

the

Rec

ipie

nts

Stat

esw

ith

Per

man

entl

yP

erm

anen

tly

emer

genc

yO

ld-A

geA

idto

and

Tota

llyG

ener

alEm

erge

ncy

Old

-Age

Aid

toan

dTo

tally

Gen

eral

Emer

genc

yas

sist

ance

Ass

ista

nce

the

Blin

dD

isab

led

TAN

F/A

FDC

assi

stan

ceas

sist

ance

Ass

ista

nce

the

Blin

dD

isab

led

Fam

ilies

Tota

lC

hild

ren

assi

stan

ceas

sist

ance

prog

ram

s

Bf6

341

Bf6

351

Bf6

361

Bf6

37B

f638

Bf6

39B

f640

1B

f641

1B

f642

1B

f643

Bf6

44B

f645

Bf6

462

Bf6

47B

f648

Tho

usan

dT

hous

and

Tho

usan

dT

hous

and

Tho

usan

dT

hous

and

Year

dolla

rsdo

llars

dolla

rsdo

llars

dolla

rsdo

llars

Tho

usan

dT

hous

and

Tho

usan

dT

hous

and

Tho

usan

dT

hous

and

Tho

usan

dT

hous

and

Stat

es

1990

8,53

015

712

,352

19,0

66,5

41—

348,

986

170.

326

4,05

711

,695

7,91

71,

220

56.0

3319

9111

,088

218

19,0

0620

,930

,600

—30

2,89

417

0.3

274,

467

12,9

308,

715

1,33

259

.734

1992

7,50

413

913

,189

21,6

55,8

81—

272,

853

170.

328

4,82

913

,773

9,30

31,

184

52.7

3419

938,

791

131

14,0

4422

,688

,016

—38

7,11

316

0.3

285,

012

14,2

059,

574

1,16

156

.835

1994

9,39

811

913

,267

22,8

27,3

99—

802,

258

160.

327

5,03

514

,164

9,57

01,

105

60.5

49

1995

8,12

410

612

,636

21,6

08,6

86—

3,44

7,36

116

0.2

264,

798

13,4

179,

134

922

84.1

5019

968,

076

9912

,163

20,5

83,8

10—

2,71

6,70

515

0.2

254,

443

12,3

208,

458

744

69.8

5119

97—

——

22,0

31,3

99—

403,

138

——

—3,

747

10,3

757,

277

645

81.8

34

1B

egin

ning

in19

74,

incl

udes

only

Puer

toR

ico,

Gua

m,

and

the

Virg

inIs

land

s.Th

eSu

pple

men

talS

ecur

ityIn

com

e(S

SI)

prog

ram

supe

rsed

edth

ese

prog

ram

sel

sew

here

.2

For

the

perio

d19

36–1

950,

repo

rts

data

colle

cted

asof

Dec

embe

rof

each

year

.

Sour

ceU

.S.

Soci

alSe

curit

yA

dmin

istr

atio

n,So

cialS

ecur

ityB

ulle

tin,

Ann

ualS

tatis

tical

Supp

lem

ent

(199

9),

Tabl

e9.

G1,

p.34

2,Ta

ble

9.K

1,p.

351,

and

Tabl

e9.

L1,p

.352

.

Doc

umen

tatio

nSe

eth

ete

xtfo

rTa

ble

Bf6

21–6

33fo

rm

ore

info

rmat

ion.

Seri

esB

f637

and

Bf6

43–6

45.

Thir

ty-f

our

stat

esha

dco

nver

ted

toTe

mpo

rary

Ass

ista

nce

toN

eedy

Fam

ilies

from

Aid

toFa

mili

esw

ithD

epen

dent

Chi

ldre

nas

ofJa

nuar

y1,

1997

;eig

htph

ased

inov

erth

ene

xtfi

vem

onth

s;th

ere

mai

ning

twel

vew

aite

dun

tilJu

ly1,

1997

.

Seri

esB

f639

and

Bf6

47.

Rep

ortin

gon

emer

genc

yas

sist

ance

was

initi

ated

inJu

ly19

69.

Thes

eda

tare

pres

ent

the

late

stre

visi

ons

prov

ided

byth

eSo

cial

Secu

rity

Adm

inis

trat

ion.

The

revi

sed

annu

alda

tafo

rthe

perio

d19

36–1

959

are

nota

vaila

ble

exce

ptin

year

sen

ding

in0

and

5.Ta

ble

Bf6

21–6

33pr

esen

tsea

rlier

estim

ates

for

thes

epr

ogra

ms

repo

rted

ina

diff

eren

tw

ayfo

rth

epe

riod

1936

–197

5.

Seri

esB

f638

.A

fter

1980

info

rmat

ion

was

not

avai

labl

e.


BLE

Bf6

49–6

62P

ublic

assi

stan

ce–

aver

age

mon

thly

paym

ent,

bypr

ogra

m:1

936–

1997

Con

trib

uted

byPr

ice

V.Fi

shba

ckan

dM

elis

saA

.Tho

mas

son

Earl

ier

esti

mat

esLa

ter

esti

mat

es

Tem

pora

ryA

ssis

tanc

eto

Nee

dyFa

mili

es/A

idto

Aid

toFa

mili

esw

ith

Fam

ilies

wit

hD

epen

dent

Chi

ldre

nD

epen

dent

Chi

ldre

n

Aid

toth

eIn

stit

utio

nal

Aid

toth

eP

erm

anen

tly

serv

ices

,P

erm

anen

tly

Emer

genc

yO

ld-A

geA

idto

and

Tota

llyG

ener

alin

term

edia

te-

Old

-Age

Aid

toan

dTo

tally

Gen

eral

assi

stan

ceA

ssis

tanc

eth

eB

lind

Dis

able

dP

erfa

mily

Per

pers

onas

sist

ance

care

faci

litie

sA

ssis

tanc

eth

eB

lind

Dis

able

dP

erfa

mily

Per

pers

onas

sist

ance

(per

fam

ily)

Bf6

491

Bf6

501

Bf6

511

Bf6

52B

f653

Bf6

542

Bf6

55B

f656

1B

f657

1B

f658

1B

f659

Bf6

60B

f661

Bf6

623

Year

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

1936

18.8

026

.10

—29

.85

8.80

8.00

—17

.55

25.0

0—

28.1

57.

758.

00—

1937

19.4

527

.20

—31

.50

9.35

8.50

——

——

——

——

1938

19.5

525

.20

—31

.95

9.60

7.90

——

——

——

——

1939

19.3

025

.45

—31

.75

9.65

8.30

——

——

——

——

1940

20.2

525

.35

—32

.40

9.85

8.30

—19

.96

24.4

3—

31.9

89.

438.

30—

1941

21.2

525

.80

—33

.65

10.2

09.

40—

——

——

——

—19

4223

.35

26.5

5—

36.2

510

.95

11.6

5—

——

——

——

—19

4326

.65

27.9

5—

41.5

512

.35

14.5

5—

——

——

——

—19

4428

.45

29.3

0—

45.6

013

.40

15.6

0—

——

——

——

—

1945

30.9

033

.50

—52

.05

15.1

516

.55

—29

.62

31.0

7—

48.1

813

.75

16.5

5—

1946

35.3

036

.65

—62

.25

18.1

018

.45

——

——

——

——

1947

37.4

039

.60

—63

.00

18.4

020

.60

——

——

——

——

1948

42.0

043

.55

—71

.90

20.9

022

.40

——

——

——

——

1949

44.7

546

.10

—74

.20

21.7

021

.25

——

——

——

——

1950

43.0

546

.00

44.1

071

.45

20.8

522

.25

—43

.76

45.9

642

.35

71.3

317

.64

22.2

5—

1951

44.5

548

.05

46.4

575

.80

22.0

022

.90

——

——

——

——

1952

48.8

053

.50

48.4

082

.10

23.4

523

.30

——

——

——

——

1953

48.9

054

.05

47.9

082

.30

23.2

022

.05

——

——

——

——

1954

48.7

054

.35

48.3

583

.70

23.2

522

.85

——

——

——

——

1955

50.0

555

.55

48.7

585

.50

23.5

023

.30

—48

.92

54.7

248

.24

84.1

723

.26

22.7

4—

1956

53.2

560

.00

50.7

091

.50

24.8

023

.45

——

——

——

——

1957

55.5

062

.20

52.3

595

.15

25.4

022

.70

——

——

——

——

1958

56.9

563

.55

53.8

010

0.40

26.6

524

.05

——

——

——

——

1959

56.7

065

.60

54.1

510

3.70

27.3

025

.05

——

——

——

——

1960

58.9

067

.45

56.1

510

8.35

28.3

524

.85

—58

.27

66.9

255

.18

105.

7527

.75

25.1

0—

1961

57.6

068

.05

57.0

511

4.65

29.4

526

.15

—57

.91

67.5

056

.50

110.

9728

.74

25.1

1—

1962

61.5

571

.95

58.5

011

9.10

29.3

026

.30

—59

.61

70.1

257

.63

116.

3029

.44

27.0

3—

1963

62.8

073

.95

59.8

512

2.40

29.7

027

.45

—62

.34

72.9

859

.30

120.

1929

.36

27.0

7—

1964

63.6

576

.15

62.2

513

1.30

31.5

030

.50

—63

.07

74.9

761

.12

126.

8830

.57

29.0

7—

1965

63.1

081

.35

66.5

013

6.95

32.8

531

.65

—63

.37

77.5

464

.95

133.

2031

.96

30.7

2—

1966

68.0

586

.85

74.7

515

0.10

36.2

536

.20

—65

.54

84.5

670

.94

142.

8334

.42

34.6

0—

1967

70.1

590

.45

80.6

016

1.70

39.5

039

.40

—68

.61

88.0

877

.64

155.

1937

.67

38.0

7—

1968

69.5

592

.15

82.6

516

8.15

42.0

544

.70

—68

.76

91.0

681

.47

168.

4141

.62

44.5

1—

1969

73.9

098

.75

90.1

517

6.05

45.1

550

.25

153.

0571

.51

95.7

286

.68

174.

8944

.28

48.1

511

7.23

1970

77.6

510

4.35

97.6

518

7.90

49.6

557

.85

246.

8075

.32

101.

9395

.06

183.

1347

.77

53.8

212

6.14

1971

77.5

010

6.50

102.

2519

0.90

52.3

064

.80

265.

7076

.60

104.

3998

.78

187.

1650

.48

62.8

214

8.54

1972

79.9

511

2.85

106.

1519

1.75

54.1

072

.10

284.

0078

.07

109.

0310

2.29

188.

8752

.60

69.4

418

4.91

1973

76.1

511

2.00

109.

7519

5.20

56.9

582

.00

—78

.44

111.

2911

0.25

190.

9154

.89

76.8

717

4.05

1974

——

—21

7.75

65.5

096

.35

—20

.48

14.9

714

.39

204.

2760

.72

90.7

017

0.38

Not

esap

pear

aten

dof

tabl

e(c

onti

nued

)


Earl

ier

esti

mat

esLa

ter

esti

mat

es

Tem

pora

ryA

ssis

tanc

eto

Nee

dyFa

mili

es/A

idto

Aid

toFa

mili

esw

ith

Fam

ilies

wit

hD

epen

dent

Chi

ldre

nD

epen

dent

Chi

ldre

n

Aid

toth

eIn

stit

utio

nal

Aid

toth

eP

erm

anen

tly

serv

ices

,P

erm

anen

tly

Emer

genc

yO

ld-A

geA

idto

and

Tota

llyG

ener

alin

term

edia

te-

Old

-Age

Aid

toan

dTo

tally

Gen

eral

assi

stan

ceA

ssis

tanc

eth

eB

lind

Dis

able

dP

erfa

mily

Per

pers

onas

sist

ance

care

faci

litie

sA

ssis

tanc

eth

eB

lind

Dis

able

dP

erfa

mily

Per

pers

onas

sist

ance

(per

fam

ily)

Bf6

491

Bf6

501

Bf6

511

Bf6

52B

f653

Bf6

542

Bf6

55B

f656

1B

f657

1B

f658

1B

f659

Bf6

60B

f661

Bf6

623

Year

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

Dol

lars

1975

——

——

——

—20

.74

15.2

214

.67

219.

4467

.65

98.4

016

8.85

1976

——

——

——

—21

.01

15.7

814

.98

236.

1074

.75

109.

5616

8.43

1977

——

——

——

—21

.75

16.9

115

.94

246.

2779

.97

119.

7416

8.05

1978

——

——

——

—22

.31

18.5

916

.72

253.

8984

.60

126.

6219

5.24

1979

——

——

——

—41

.52

39.3

538

.02

262.

8689

.45

128.

8419

5.92

1980

——

——

——

—39

.18

35.8

534

.61

280.

0396

.49

127.

1819

4.29

1981

——

——

——

—41

.18

42.9

739

.57

282.

0497

.64

—20

9.51

1982

——

——

——

—35

.53

36.9

436

.57

303.

0210

3.60

—27

8.54

1983

——

——

——

—35

.99

36.4

536

.85

312.

8210

7.16

—28

3.15

1984

——

——

——

—36

.18

37.2

837

.41

325.

4411

1.60

—27

6.97

1985

——

——

——

—35

.97

38.9

137

.61

342.

1511

6.65

—31

2.98

1986

——

——

——

—36

.02

38.6

537

.78

355.

0412

1.05

—36

2.45

1987

——

——

——

—36

.07

39.7

837

.71

361.

3712

3.73

—35

8.29

1988

——

——

——

—35

.90

38.8

637

.99

374.

0712

8.47

—42

0.89

1989

——

——

——

—35

.59

41.8

038

.71

383.

1413

2.40

—46

1.45

1990

——

——

——

—42

.18

41.3

239

.92

391.

6713

5.86

—47

6.50

1991

——

——

——

—55

.19

55.9

757

.98

390.

4413

4.89

—42

2.07

1992

——

——

——

—37

.66

38.4

539

.05

373.

7113

1.03

—43

1.41

1993

——

——

——

—44

.88

39.6

341

.43

377.

2413

3.10

—56

8.17

1994

——

——

——

—48

.76

39.2

240

.50

377.

7813

4.30

—1,

105.

95

1995

——

——

——

—43

.13

37.5

841

.15

375.

3113

4.21

—3,

415.

9319

96—

——

——

——

43.5

837

.57

40.3

638

6.10

139.

23—

3,03

3.42

1997

——

——

——

——

——

490.

0117

6.95

—41

0.74

1B

egin

ning

in19

74,

incl

udes

only

Puer

toR

ico,

Gua

m,

and

the

Virg

inIs

land

s.Th

eSu

pple

men

talS

ecur

ityIn

com

e(S

SI)

prog

ram

supe

rsed

edth

ese

prog

ram

sel

sew

here

.2

For

1936

–195

0,as

ofD

ecem

ber

ofea

chye

ar.

3Fo

r19

83–1

997,

excl

udes

fam

ilyco

unt

and

expe

nditu

res

for

stat

espr

ovid

ing

only

part

iald

ata.

Sour

ces

Serie

sB

f649

–654

,19

50–1

975:

U.S

.So

cial

Secu

rity

Adm

inis

trat

ion,

Socia

lSec

urity

Bul

letin

,Ann

ualS

ta-

tistic

alSu

pple

men

t(1

974)

,Ta

ble

155;

1936

–194

9:So

cial

Secu

rity

Bul

letin

,A

nnua

lSt

atist

ical

Supp

lem

ent

(196

6),

Tabl

e11

3,p.

115.

Serie

sB

f655

–661

,U

.S.

Soci

alSe

curit

yA

dmin

istr

atio

n,So

cialS

ecur

ityB

ul-

letin

,A

nnua

lSt

atist

ical

Supp

lem

ent

(199

9),

Tabl

e9.

G1,

p.34

2,Ta

ble

9.K

1,p.

351,

and

Tabl

e9.

L1,

p.35

2.

Doc

umen

tatio

nSe

eth

ete

xtfo

rTa

bles

Bf6

21–6

48fo

rm

ore

info

rmat

ion

abou

tth

epu

blic

assi

stan

cepr

ogra

ms.

This

tabl

ere

port

stw

ose

tsof

alte

rnat

ive

serie

s.In

1976

,the

Soci

alSe

curit

yA

dmin

istr

atio

nst

ated

that

the

data

inse

ries

Bf6

56–6

61ar

eno

tco

mpa

rabl

ew

ithse

ries

Bf6

49–6

54be

caus

eof

ach

ange

inso

urce

(p.2

00).

Alth

ough

noti

dent

ical

,the

serie

sar

eve

rycl

osel

yre

late

d.Th

eco

rrel

atio

nsbe

twee

nth

etw

ove

rsio

nsof

the

serie

sfo

rthe

over

lapp

ing

year

sof

1936

,194

0,19

45,1

950,

1955

,and

1960

–197

3ar

e0.

998

for

Old

-Age

Ass

ista

nce,

0.99

9fo

rA

idto

the

Blin

d,an

d0.

998

for

Aid

toth

ePe

rman

ently

and

Tota

llyD

isab

led.

The

corr

elat

ions

for

over

lapp

ing

year

sof

1936

,19

40,

1945

,19

50,

1955

,an

d19

60–1

974

are

0.97

7fo

rAid

toFa

mili

esw

ithD

epen

dent

Chi

ldre

n(A

FDC

)pe

rfam

ily,0

.998

forA

FDC

per

reci

pien

t,an

d0.

999

for

gene

rala

ssis

tanc

e.A

llse

ries

incl

ude

nonm

edic

alve

ndor

paym

ents

.


TABLE Bf663–678 Public assistance and federal work programs – recipients, assistance, persons employed,and earnings: 1933–1943


Number of cases Persons employed

National YouthAdministration

Federal Civilian Works Other federalEmergency Relief Farm Security Conservation Student work Out-of-school Projects Civil Works emergencyAdministration Administration Corps program work program Administration Administration projects


Year Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand

1933 101 — 290 — — — 3,597 2641934 459 — 330 — — — — 331

1935 96 130 459 283 — 2,667 — 4081936 11 135 328 411 178 2,243 — 5061937 — 109 284 304 136 1,594 — 2351938 — 115 275 372 240 3,156 — 1671939 — 96 266 434 296 2,109 — 141

1940 — 45 246 449 326 1,826 — 221941 — 26 126 333 283 1,023 — 21942 — — — 86 — 300 — —1943 — — — — — — — —

(continued)

Payments for assistance or earnings

Earnings

National YouthAdministration

Farm SecurityFederal Administration Civilian

Emergency Relief subsistence Conservation Student work Out-of-school Works Projects Civil Works Other federalAdministration program Corps program work program Administration Administration emergency projects


Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand ThousandYear dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars

1933 5,753 — 140,736 — — — 214,956 30,7181934 61,069 — 260,957 — — — 503,060 275,161

1935 114,996 2,541 332,851 6,364 — 238,018 — 289,8971936 3,873 20,365 292,397 26,329 28,883 1,592,039 — 498,4151937 467 35,894 245,756 24,287 32,664 1,186,266 — 324,6391938 — 22,579 230,318 19,598 41,560 1,751,053 — 186,5051939 — 19,055 230,513 22,707 51,538 1,565,515 — 247,285

1940 — 18,282 215,846 26,864 65,211 1,269,617 — 92,6041941 — 12,281 155,604 25,118 94,032 937,366 — 12,9041942 — 6,271 34,030 11,328 32,009 503,055 — 7301943 — — — 3,794 — 46,737 — —

SourcesU.S. Social Security Administration, Social Security Bulletin 14 (9) (1951): 43and Social Security Bulletin: Yearbook (1945), p. 21.

DocumentationThe estimates shown here for 1933–1939 are very similar to those in theNational Resources Planning Board report on Security, Work, and Relief Policies(1942), Appendixes 9 and 10.

The National Youth Administration (NYA) and Works Projects Adminis-tration programs were discontinued before the end of 1943.

Each of the individual programs provided the data about their operationsto the Social Security Administration, except in the following cases. The datafor the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA), series Bf663 andBf671, and for the NYA through June 1939, series Bf666–667 and Bf674–675, were provided by the Works Projects Administration.

Deeming that the depressed economy was a national emergency, theRoosevelt administration established a series of New Deal programs to aid

the needy and the unemployed. The initial program was the FERA, whichprovided direct relief to families and work relief for able-bodied workers,series Bf671. The Civil Works Administration (CWA) provided work reliefbetween November 1933 and March 1934. Meanwhile, the Civilian Con-servation Corps (CCC) provided work and educational opportunities foryoung men, as they worked to conserve forests, farmland, and other naturalsites. The Works Progress Administration (WPA), later renamed the WorksProjects Administration, provided work relief for unemployed “employables”while building schools, roads, post offices, sidewalks, and a host of otherprojects. The NYA and the Farm Security Administration (FSA) were smallerprograms that, respectively, employed students and provided aid to farmersin obtaining their own farms.

Series Bf663 and Bf671. FERA programs provided direct relief, work relief,emergency education, student aid, rural rehabilitation, and transient pro-grams.


TABLE Bf663–678 Public assistance and federal work programs – recipients, assistance, persons employed,and earnings: 1933–1943 Continued

Series Bf664 and Bf672. FSA programs included emergency grant vouchersand cases receiving only FSA commodities and the value of such commodities.These were dropped from the series in June 1942 because the appropriationwas drastically reduced and payments were limited to need occasioned bynatural disasters.

Series Bf665–670 and Bf672–678. Information on the CCC, NYA, WPA,and the other federal agencies excludes administrative employees and theirearnings and cost of materials, equipment, and other items incidental tooperation of work programs.

Series Bf665 and Bf673, CCC figures. Average number of enrolled persons.Earnings were estimated by multiplying average monthly number of personsenrolled by average expenditures per enrollee for cash allowances, clothing,shelter, subsistence and medical care, and certain other items. BeginningJuly 1941, average expenditures per enrolled were estimated at $67.20 forenrollees other than Indians, $60.50 for Indians.

Series Bf666–667 and Bf674–675, NYA. Persons employed during month,except for the out-of-school program after June 1941, in which case the datarepresent the average of weekly employment counts. Information on the out-of-school program of the NYA is no longer included as public assistance afterJune 1942 because the purpose of the program changed from employmentbased on need to training for war industry.

Series Bf668 and Bf676, WPA. Average weekly number employed onprojects financed from WPA funds. Beginning July 1942, earnings representexpenditures (approved vouchers) for labor during month.

Series Bf670 and Bf678, other federal projects. Average number of weeklyemployed persons during the monthly period ending on the fifteenth, onprojects financed in whole or in part from emergency federal funds otherthan CCC, NYA, WPA, and CWA. Beginning with October 1941, the data in-clude only employment and earnings on projects financed from Public WorksAdministration funds. Data are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

TABLE Bf679–688 Public child health and welfare service programs – children and mothers served: 1937–1970Contributed by Price V. Fishback and Melissa A. Thomasson

Children served in Crippled Mothers served in maternity Children served by childChildren’s Program medical clinics Children served in child health clinics welfare programs

Infants Other children

Rate per Rate per Rate per Rate per Rate per10,000 1,000 live 1,000 1,000 children 10,000

Number children Number births Number infants Number (1 to 4 years old) Number under 21

Bf679 Bf680 Bf681 1 Bf682 Bf683 Bf684 Bf685 Bf686 Bf687 Bf688

Year Thousand Per 10,000 Number Per 1,000 Number Per 1,000 Number Per 1,000 Number Per 10,000

1937 110 24 75,193 31 127,365 66 200,022 25 — —1938 114 24 119,623 48 156,749 80 266,466 32 — —1939 127 26 125,667 51 138,280 69 277,703 33 — —

1940 127 26 146,440 55 175,357 84 299,174 34 — —1941 147 30 167,002 61 185,139 85 314,238 36 — —1942 133 27 161,367 52 185,562 78 307,344 33 — —1943 115 24 147,599 46 185,729 67 264,817 28 — —1944 125 27 129,596 43 169,799 66 266,774 26 — —

1945 130 27 116,961 31 169,965 67 256,815 24 241,000 511946 155 32 130,909 37 187,045 75 275,969 25 250,000 511947 175 34 151,117 38 245,514 69 320,263 28 255,000 501948 195 37 152,691 41 263,819 81 379,472 31 260,000 501949 207 39 168,234 45 294,998 91 398,582 31 265,000 50

1950 214 39 175,270 47 302,892 94 420,334 31 270,000 491951 229 41 188,541 48 402,279 120 580,344 41 277,000 501952 238 42 180,265 45 433,911 126 576,260 41 279,000 491953 252 43 177,580 44 411,907 117 591,959 41 282,000 481954 271 45 190,667 47 446,772 123 576,966 39 289,000 48

1955 278 45 188,988 46 448,058 121 576,896 39 289,400 461956 296 46 225,624 — 517,243 139 769,102 — 297,500 461957 313 47 240,630 — 557,801 144 768,476 — 318,000 481958 325 47 250,630 58 607,291 140 812,371 — 328,300 481959 339 49 235,638 54 629,258 145 854,210 — 344,500 49

1960 355 49 253,638 59 614,883 142 865,494 — 382,500 541961 372 50 276,771 64 598,736 138 898,919 — 403,900 561962 385 50 267,741 63 606,015 143 893,745 — 422,800 561963 396 51 271,084 65 593,362 142 915,868 — 457,300 601964 423 54 276,187 70 605,480 147 902,013 — 487,500 62

1965 — — — — — — — — 531,600 671966 437 54 282,432 77 679,688 184 1,084,318 — 573,800 711967 476 60 366,373 98 603,661 161 1,028,225 — 607,000 741968 475 59 292,000 83 591,000 169 1,019,000 — 656,000 801969 483 59 346,000 97 515,000 144 871,000 — 694,000 85

1970 492 61 331,499 89 622,708 167 851,081 — 652,000 80



TABLE Bf679–688 Public child health and welfare service programs – children and mothers served: 1937–1970Continued

1 Prior to 1956, includes antepartum service only.

SourcesSeries Bf679–686, 1937–1969, U.S. Children’s Bureau, Statistical Series, andU.S. Social Security Administration, unpublished data; 1970, U.S. HealthServices Administration, unpublished data. Series Bf687–688, U.S. Socialand Rehabilitation Service, Child Welfare Statistics (1969), and Children Servedby Public Welfare Agencies and Voluntary Child Welfare Agencies and Institutions,Reports CW-1 and E-9.

DocumentationSeries Bf679–680. Data represent general coverage of state reports: 1937–1947, for services administered or financed in whole or in part by officialstate agencies under the Social Security Act; 1948–1949, for services pro-vided or purchased by official state agencies exclusive of prediagnostic ser-vices; 1950–1956, for “physician’s services” consisting of clinic service, hos-pital care, convalescent home care, and other services by physicians. Datafor 1937 are for forty-five states, the District of Columbia, Alaska, Hawai’i

(Georgia, Louisiana, and Oregon not participating). For 1938, Georgia andOregon are also included and, for 1939, Louisiana is included (except forfirst quarter). Puerto Rico was excluded beginning with the last half of 1940,and the Virgin Islands were excluded beginning the last half of 1947; priorto these dates, they were included. Arizona, which did not participate from1950 through 1956, is excluded for those years. Rates for each year are basedon the population of states participating in those years.

Series Bf679–685. Calendar year basis through 1964; fiscal year thereafter.

Series Bf681–686. Maternal and child health programs include services ad-ministered or supervised by official state health agencies. Reports were re-ceived each year except 1941 from forty-eight states, the District of Columbia,Alaska, and Hawai’i. Missouri was not participating in 1941. Puerto Rico isincluded beginning with 1940, and the Virgin Islands are included beginningwith the last half of 1947.

Series Bf686. Not computed after 1956 because older children were in-cluded in the program.

TABLE Bf689–707 Food programs – participation, benefits, payments, and costs: 1962–1999Contributed by Price V. Fishback and Melissa A. Thomasson

Food Stamps Women, Infants, and Children program Federal cost of school food programs

Average number Annual average Averageof persons Annual monthly benefit Total Program monthly benefit Cash Commodity

participating benefit per person participation costs per person payments costs Total costs


Year Thousand Thousand dollars Dollars Thousand Million dollars Dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars

1962 143 13,153 7.66 — — — — — —1963 226 18,639 6.87 — — — — — —1964 367 28,643 6.50 — — — — — —

1965 424 32,494 6.39 — — — — — —1966 864 64,781 6.25 — — — — — —1967 1,447 105,455 6.07 — — — — — —1968 2,211 172,982 6.52 — — — — — —1969 2,878 228,587 6.62 — — — 310.5 272.0 582.5

1970 4,340 550,806 10.58 — — — 412.2 265.2 677.4 1

1971 9,368 1,522,904 13.55 — — — 642.8 277.3 920.11972 11,103 1,794,875 13.47 — — — 853.9 312.1 1,166.01973 12,190 2,102,133 14.37 — — — 1,007.5 331.0 1,338.51974 12,896 2,725,988 17.62 88 10.4 15.68 1,193.7 316.1 1,509.8

1975 17,063 4,386,144 21.42 344 89.3 18.58 1,498.0 423.5 1,921.51976 18,557 5,310,133 23.85 520 142.6 19.60 1,743.7 418.6 2,162.31977 17,058 5,057,700 24.71 848 255.9 20.80 1,868.9 540.8 2,409.71978 16,044 5,165,209 26.83 1,181 379.6 21.99 2,124.8 542.9 2,667.71979 17,710 6,484,538 30.51 1,483 525.4 24.09 2,348.3 744.9 3,093.2

1980 21,077 8,685,521 34.34 1,914 727.7 25.43 2,712.4 904.5 3,616.91981 22,430 10,615,964 39.44 2,119 871.6 27.84 2,813.1 895.2 3,708.31982 21,716 10,205,799 39.18 2,189 948.8 28.83 2,521.0 757.0 3,278.01983 21,630 11,153,867 42.98 2,537 1,126.0 29.62 2,763.0 800.9 3,563.91984 20,858 10,696,100 42.74 3,045 1,388.1 30.58 2,887.7 827.4 3,715.1

1985 19,910 10,744,200 44.99 3,138 1,489.3 31.69 2,973.5 801.3 3,774.81986 19,428 10,604,950 45.49 3,312 1,582.9 31.82 3,136.4 821.9 3,958.31987 19,113 10,500,344 45.78 3,429 1,679.6 32.68 3,259.4 888.2 4,147.61988 18,644 11,149,051 50.00 3,593 1,797.5 33.28 3,417.2 813.7 4,230.91989 18,766 11,676,436 51.85 4,118 1,910.9 30.14 3,537.2 763.9 4,301.1

1990 20,038 14,184,028 59.01 4,517 2,122.2 30.20 3,829.4 619.7 4,449.11991 22,629 17,307,235 63.89 4,893 2,301.1 29.84 4,229.5 699.3 4,928.81992 25,403 20,899,531 68.57 5,403 2,596.7 30.21 4,662.7 707.2 5,369.91993 26,982 22,005,194 67.96 5,921 2,825.5 29.76 4,968.8 668.4 5,637.21994 27,476 23,749,813 69.01 6,477 3,169.5 29.91 5,267.6 725.3 5,992.9

1995 26,619 22,765,849 71.27 6,894 3,441.4 30.41 5,531.8 693.6 6,225.41996 25,533 22,440,298 73.23 7,188 3,695.3 31.19 5,796.9 693.0 6,489.91997 22,851 19,555,263 71.31 7,407 3,844.1 31.67 6,165.7 619.7 6,785.41998 19,787 16,879,929 71.09 7,367 3,889.9 31.75 6,390.7 728.2 7,118.91999 — — — 7,311 3,945.7 32.53 6,675.6 704.9 7,380.5



TABLE Bf689–707 Food programs – participation, benefits, payments, and costs: 1962–1999 Continued

Child and AdultNational School Lunch program School Breakfast program Care Food program

Percentage Percentage Special Milk Summer Food PercentageAverage of free and Total of free and program: Service of free andmonthly Meals reduced-price monthly Meals reduced-price half-pints program: Meals reduced-

participation served meals served participation served meals served served meals served served price meals


Year Million Million Percent Million Million Percent Million Million Million Percent

1962 — — — — — — — — — —1963 — — — — — — — — — —1964 — — — — — — — — — —

1965 — — — — — — — — — —1966 — — — — — — — — — —1967 — — — — — — — — — —1968 — — — — — — — — — —1969 19.4 3,368.2 15.1 0.22 39.7 71.0 2,944.4 2.2 8 78.2

1970 22.4 3,565.1 20.7 0.45 71.8 71.5 2,901.9 8.2 42 80.31971 24.1 3,848.3 26.1 0.80 125.5 76.3 2,570.0 29.0 81 83.51972 24.4 3,972.1 32.4 1.04 169.3 78.5 2,498.2 73.5 103 85.41973 24.7 4,008.8 35.0 1.19 194.1 83.4 2,560.7 65.4 118 87.11974 24.6 3,981.6 37.1 1.37 226.7 82.8 1,425.9 63.6 163 88.6

1975 24.9 4,063.0 40.3 1.82 294.7 82.1 2,139.0 84.3 224 87.61976 25.6 4,147.9 43.1 2.20 353.6 84.2 2,206.8 104.8 254 80.61977 26.2 4,250.0 44.8 2.49 434.3 85.7 2,204.4 170.4 311 82.61978 26.7 4,294.1 44.4 2.80 478.8 85.3 1,990.8 120.3 339 81.81979 27.0 4,357.4 43.6 3.32 565.6 84.1 1,821.1 121.8 382 79.8

1980 26.6 4,387.0 45.1 3.60 619.9 85.2 1,794.8 108.2 431 82.61981 25.8 4,210.6 48.6 3.81 644.2 86.9 1,533.1 90.3 547 91.01982 22.9 3,755.0 50.2 3.32 567.4 89.3 201.9 68.2 493 85.51983 23.0 3,803.3 51.7 3.36 580.7 90.3 189.0 71.3 536 84.41984 23.4 3,826.2 51.0 3.43 589.2 89.7 174.4 73.8 591 84.0

1985 23.6 3,890.1 49.1 3.44 594.9 88.6 166.9 77.2 640 83.71986 23.7 3,942.5 49.1 3.50 610.6 88.7 161.8 77.1 678 83.61987 23.9 3,939.9 48.6 3.61 621.5 88.4 162.3 79.9 725 83.21988 24.2 4,032.9 47.4 3.68 642.5 87.5 193.6 80.3 792 83.21989 24.3 4,004.9 47.2 3.81 658.4 86.8 188.7 86.0 866 83.5

1990 24.1 4,009.1 48.3 4.07 707.5 86.7 181.2 91.2 966 83.91991 24.2 4,050.9 50.4 4.44 772.1 87.3 177.0 96.2 1,063 84.51992 24.6 4,101.9 53.0 4.92 852.6 88.0 174.4 107.4 1,182 85.41993 24.9 4,137.7 54.8 5.36 923.6 87.9 167.3 113.4 1,298 85.41994 25.3 4,201.8 55.9 5.83 1,001.6 87.4 158.8 116.9 1,414 85.3

1995 25.7 4,253.4 56.4 6.32 1,078.9 86.8 151.4 120.3 1,508 85.21996 25.9 4,313.2 56.9 6.58 1,125.7 86.5 144.3 125.4 1,546 85.21997 26.3 4,409.0 57.6 6.92 1,191.2 86.5 140.6 128.5 1,572 85.31998 26.6 4,424.9 57.8 7.14 1,221.0 86.1 133.6 134.8 1,602 84.71999 26.9 4,513.2 57.6 7.37 1,267.6 85.4 126.9 134.6 1,637 84.2

1 Corrected from original source using sum of series Bf695–696.

SourcesSeries Bf689–691. U.S. Social Security Administration, Social Security Bulletin:Annual Statistical Supplement (1999), Table 9.H.1, p. 344. The original sourcefor the series is the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Con-sumer Service.

Series Bf692–707. Internet site for the USDA, Food and Nutrition Service.More detail on these programs and others and recent updates have been

posted at the US Food and Nutrition Service Internet site. See also U.S. Foodand Nutrition Service, “Annual Historical Review of FNS Programs.”

DocumentationThe U.S. Food and Nutrition Service administers a series of programs de-signed to provide food to low-income persons. These include food stamp,school meals, and summer feeding programs, programs to feed women,infants, and children and the elderly, and so on.

Food Stamp ProgramThe Food Stamp program was designed to provide low-income persons witha means for obtaining an adequate diet. Under this program, single per-

sons and individuals living in households meeting nationwide standards forincome and assets may receive coupons redeemable for food and for gar-den seeds and plants. To qualify for the program, as of 1996, a householdmust have (1) less than $2,000 in disposable assets ($3,000 if one memberis aged 60 or older), (2) gross income below 130 percent of the povertyguidelines for the household size, and (3) net income, after subtracting thedeductions, of less than 100 percent of the poverty guidelines. Householdswith a person aged 60 or older, or a disabled person receiving SupplementalSecurity Income (SSI), Social Security (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability In-surance, or OASDI), state general assistance or veterans’ disability benefits(or interim disability assistance pending approval of any of the previouslymentioned programs) may have gross income exceeding 130 percent of thepoverty guidelines if the income is lower than 100 percent of the povertyguidelines after subtracting the preceding deductions. One- and two-personhouseholds in which all members receive Temporary Assistance to NeedyFamilies (TANF) or SSI are categorically eligible for food stamps withoutmeeting these income criteria.

Initiated on a pilot basis in 1961, the Food Stamp Act of 1964 formallyestablished the program, with twenty-two states participating. Currently,

(continued)


TABLE Bf689–707 Food programs – participation, benefits, payments, and costs: 1962–1999 Continued

the Food Stamp program is in effect in the fifty states, the District ofColumbia, Guam, and the Virgin Islands. Since July 1982, Puerto Rico hasbeen receiving a block grant for nutrition assistance instead of participat-ing in the Food Stamp program. Authorization for this program extendedthrough September 30, 2002.

The Food Stamp program is administered nationally by the U.S. Foodand Consumer Service and operates through local welfare offices and theNation’s food marketing and banking systems. Since August 1, 1980, per-sons receiving or applying for SSI payments have been permitted to apply forfood stamps through local Social Security district offices. The federal gov-ernment, through general revenues, pays the entire cost of the food stampbenefits, but federal and state agencies share administrative costs.

Originally, food stamp coupons were purchased by participants. The dif-ference between the face value of the coupons and the amount paid by theparticipant was known as the bonus value. Effective January 1, 1979, the pur-chase requirement was eliminated, and participants could directly receive thebonus.

Between 1974 and 1979, SSI recipients were made ineligible for foodstamps in Massachusetts, Wisconsin, California, and selected counties inNew York and Virginia because those areas supplemented SSI payments inamounts that included the value of food stamps. As of 1983 and 1992, SSIrecipients were returned to the Food Stamp program in Massachusetts andWisconsin, respectively, when these states chose to stop including a value forfood stamps in the SSI supplement.

The U.S. Food and Nutrition Service has several additional programs tostrengthen the nutritional safety net beyond those included here. These in-clude an emergency food assistance program to provide commodity foodsto states for distribution to supplement food stocks of households, soupkitchens, and food banks; and food distribution programs for women, in-fants, children, the elderly, Puerto Ricans, and Native Americans. More in-formation can be found at the Internet sites listed in the sources.

After July 1, 1982, residents of Puerto Rico are not included in the data.

Other Food ProgramsSeries Bf692–694. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program forWomen, Infants, and Children (WIC) is designed to improve the healthof low-income pregnant women, breastfeeding and nonbreastfeeding newmothers, and infants and children up to 5 years old. WIC provides supple-mental foods, nutrition education, and access to health services. Participantsredeem vouchers for specific foods that contain nutrients frequently lackingin the diet of low-income mothers and children.

Series Bf695–705. The School Food programs include the National SchoolLunch program, School Breakfast program, and Special Milk program. TheNational School Lunch program and the School Breakfast program providefunding and commodity foods to nonprofit food services in elementary andsecondary schools, and in residential child care facilities. Depending on in-come, students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, which must meetfederal nutritional guidelines. The Special Milk program as of 1999 furnishesmilk to all children in approved schools, camps, and child care institutionsthat have no federally supported meal program. The federal cost of the schoolfood programs does not include payments for the federal share of state ad-ministrative expenses. The commodity food costs represent the value of fooddistributed.

Series Bf698–700. The average monthly participation in the National SchoolLunch program is a nine-month average covering October through May plusSeptember. Total lunches served includes free and reduced-price lunches,which are determined by the income of the household of the recipient, andfull-price lunches for students from higher income households.

Series Bf701–703. The total monthly participation in the School Break-fast program is a nine-month average covering October through May plusSeptember.

Series Bf704. The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 limitedSchool Milk program participation to schools and institutions that do notparticipate in other child nutrition programs. The Act became effectivein fiscal year 1982. Public Law 99-500 in 1987 (effective October 1988)permitted the National School Lunch program or the School Breakfastprogram to offer milk to pre-kindergarten and kindergarten children attend-ing half-day sessions who have no access to meal service programs.

Series Bf705. For 1969–1975, data are for the summer component of theSpecial Food Service program. There was a transitional quarter between 1976and 1977, which was the interim between the old definition of the fiscal year(July through June) and the current one (October through September). Dur-ing that period 198 million meals were served.

Series Bf706–707. The Child and Adult Care Food program supplies com-modity foods and reimburses for meals in child and adult day care centers,and family and group day care homes for children. The 1969–1975 data arefor the year-round component of the Special Food Service program.


TABLE Bf708–716 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance program – obligations and households receiving assistance:1982–1996


Estimated home energy assistance obligations for Households receiving assistance for

Weatherization Weatherizationand energy-

Energy crisis interventionand energy-

Energy crisis related home related homeHeating Cooling intervention repair Heating Cooling Winter Summer repair


Year Dollars Dollars Dollars Dollars Number Number Number Number Number

1982 1,124,476,630 51,498,572 138,941,133 136,195,046 5,990,176 1,075,061 707,123 — 430,8301983 1,343,267,155 33,020,830 191,771,756 195,463,612 6,414,448 529,036 972,894 25,342 482,6201984 1,372,772,591 32,374,067 225,795,893 186,662,906 6,443,637 537,598 963,743 28,841 180,748

1985 1,466,721,924 29,135,118 191,407,205 227,096,051 6,545,616 511,333 857,809 27,196 217,8641986 1,351,903,078 35,620,945 199,178,003 193,420,839 6,359,924 535,553 951,945 114,194 191,3161987 1,280,302,113 29,581,262 197,719,071 220,419,633 6,495,409 366,721 1,060,425 60,797 172,3721988 1,145,560,993 21,151,405 190,046,023 170,292,505 5,827,481 309,044 981,775 57,750 156,7701989 1,017,024,757 12,341,113 187,442,779 147,952,928 5,595,268 126,977 890,616 20,384 142,584

1990 1,030,150,903 25,007,676 188,844,316 133,479,484 5,459,631 358,823 1,058,067 37,340 148,1041991 1,098,583,280 27,416,776 220,795,517 129,279,737 5,769,346 374,483 1,004,634 39,399 127,5871992 990,903,081 22,645,002 197,218,623 134,816,010 5,906,292 384,468 950,275 25,570 106,0661993 948,596,196 22,274,975 183,189,522 146,444,590 5,282,993 143,279 956,435 47,169 111,2951994 1,062,552,111 24,862,636 225,583,805 214,342,289 5,663,040 145,684 1,127,832 24,532 126,086

1995 884,846,144 43,883,481 212,713,182 159,076,150 5,147,619 341,041 932,263 77,915 102,8171996 696,801,144 17,597,204 167,622,219 135,835,358 3,974,152 128,538 804,560 59,992 91,503

SourceU.S. Social Security Administration, Social Security Bulletin: Annual StatisticalSupplement (1999), Tables 9.J1 and 9.J3, pp. 346, 350; a legislative his-tory of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance program (LIHEAP) is onpp. 128–9.

DocumentationUnder LIHEAP, block grants administered by Health and Human Services(HHS) are provided to the states to assist eligible households to meet homeenergy expenses. In addition to the fifty states, grants were provided in fiscalyear 1995 to the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico,five insular areas, and 123 Indian tribes or tribal organizations.

The unit of eligibility for energy assistance is the household, defined as anyindividual or group of individuals who are living together as one economicunit for which residential energy is customarily purchased in common, eitherdirectly or through rent. Under the Act, households can be eligible for as-sistance on the basis of income, or are categorically eligible if they alreadyreceive Aid to Families with Dependent Children (replaced by the Tempo-rary Assistance for Needy Families program), Supplemental Security Income,food stamps, or need-tested veterans’ benefits. To be eligible on the basis ofincome, households must have incomes less than either 150 percent of theincome guidelines or 60 percent of the state’s median income, whichever is

greater. As of 1995, no household may be excluded from eligibility on thebasis of income alone if household income is less than 110 percent of thepoverty guidelines.

States make payments directly to eligible households or to home energysuppliers on behalf of eligible households. Payments can be provided in cash,fuel, or prepaid utility bills or as vouchers, stamps, or coupons that can beused in exchange for energy supplies. Payments are to vary in such a way thatthe highest level of assistance is furnished to households with the lowest in-come and the highest energy costs in relation to income, taking into accountfamily size.

With respect to the series that are reported for the number of house-holds receiving assistance, note that an unduplicated total of householdsassisted cannot be derived from the data because the same household maybe included under more than one type of assistance. In addition, the datafor the number of households that received heating and cooling assistanceinclude households that received combined heating and cooling assistancein Arizona, California, and Florida, and households in Hawai’i that receivedassistance without differentiation between heating and cooling assistance.Further, the total number of households receiving energy crisis interventionin winter includes households that received expedited heating assistance inMaryland, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.


TABLE Bf717–721 Vocational rehabilitation caseload and expenditures: 1921–1999Contributed by Price V. Fishback and Melissa A. Thomasson

Persons Expenditures

Served Rehabilitated Total Federal State

Bf717 Bf718 Bf719 Bf720 Bf721

Year Number Number Thousand dollars Thousand dollars Thousand dollars

1921 — 523 285 93 1911922 — 1,898 736 312 4241923 — 4,530 1,188 525 6631924 — 5,664 1,243 551 691

1925 — 5,825 1,187 520 6681926 — 5,604 1,274 579 6951927 — 5,092 1,407 631 7751928 — 5,012 1,541 654 8871929 — 4,645 1,490 665 825

1930 — 4,605 1,700 739 9601931 — 5,184 2,043 933 1,1101932 — 5,592 2,186 998 1,1871933 — 5,613 2,176 999 1,1771934 — 8,062 2,080 916 1,164

1935 — 9,422 2,248 1,032 1,2161936 — 10,338 2,603 1,230 1,3731937 — 11,091 3,319 1,513 1,8061938 63,666 9,844 3,862 1,791 2,0711939 63,575 10,747 3,992 1,833 2,159

1940 65,624 11,890 4,108 1,972 2,1361941 78,320 14,576 4,711 2,282 2,4291942 91,572 21,757 5,205 2,557 2,6481943 129,207 42,618 5,630 2,762 2,8681944 145,059 43,997 6,372 4,052 2,320

1945 161,050 41,925 9,856 7,135 2,7201946 169,796 36,106 13,749 10,002 3,7471947 170,143 43,880 19,313 14,189 5,1241948 191,063 53,131 24,589 17,707 6,8621949 216,997 58,020 25,819 18,216 7,603

1950 255,724 59,597 29,347 20,340 9,0071951 231,544 66,193 30,273 21,001 9,2711952 228,490 63,632 32,689 22,122 10,5671953 221,849 61,308 34,583 22,948 11,6361954 211,219 55,825 35,366 22,965 12,403

1955 209,039 57,981 38,629 23,812 14,8181956 221,128 65,640 46,221 28,830 17,3911957 238,582 70,940 54,282 33,648 20,6341958 258,444 74,317 63,727 39,365 24,3621959 280,384 80,739 71,206 43,932 27,274

1960 297,950 88,275 78,711 48,144 30,5671961 320,963 92,501 88,150 53,898 34,2521962 345,635 102,377 101,390 61,956 39,4041963 368,696 110,136 113,111 69,325 43,7851964 399,852 119,708 133,259 82,195 51,065

1965 441,332 134,859 154,140 94,713 59,4271966 499,464 154,279 213,639 144,629 69,0091967 569,907 173,594 303,846 225,268 78,5781968 680,415 207,918 377,646 282,337 95,3091969 781,614 241,390 455,865 340,858 115,007

1970 875,911 266,975 557,707 431,764 125,9431971 1,001,660 291,272 631,000 489,000 142,0001972 1,111,045 326,138 697,000 548,000 149,0001973 1,176,445 360,726 730,000 572,000 158,0001974 1,201,661 361,138 810,000 636,000 174,000

1975 1,244,338 324,039 867,000 673,000 194,0001976 1,238,446 303,328 898,000 700,000 198,0001977 1,204,487 291,202 956,000 733,000 223,0001978 1,167,991 294,396 986,000 755,000 231,0001979 1,127,551 298,325 1,063,000 813,000 250,000

(continued)


TABLE Bf717–721 Vocational rehabilitation caseload and expenditures: 1921–1999Continued

Persons Expenditures

Served Rehabilitated Total Federal State

Bf717 Bf718 Bf719 Bf720 Bf721

Year Number Number Thousand dollars Thousand dollars Thousand dollars

1980 1,095,139 277,136 1,076,000 817,000 259,0001981 1,038,232 255,881 1,118,000 850,000 268,0001982 958,537 226,924 1,167,000 858,000 309,0001983 938,923 216,231 1,254,000 937,000 317,0001984 936,180 225,772 1,366,000 1,038,000 328,000

1985 931,779 227,652 1,452,000 1,100,000 352,0001986 923,774 223,354 1,506,000 1,144,000 362,0001987 917,482 219,616 1,649,000 1,275,000 374,0001988 918,942 218,241 1,776,000 1,373,000 403,0001989 928,998 220,408 1,867,000 1,446,000 421,000

1990 937,971 216,112 1,910,000 1,525,000 385,0001991 941,771 202,831 2,092,000 1,622,000 470,0001992 949,053 191,890 2,240,000 1,731,000 509,0001993 1,048,527 193,994 2,241,000 1,691,000 550,0001994 1,193,661 203,035 2,517,000 1,891,000 626,000

1995 1,250,314 209,509 2,714,000 2,054,000 660,0001996 1,225,156 213,520 2,844,000 2,104,000 740,0001997 1,198,231 211,502 3,046,000 2,164,000 882,0001998 1,210,604 223,668 — — —1999 1,202,286 229,829 — — —

SourcesSeries Bf717–718. Through 1989, from U.S. Department of Education, Re-habilitation Services Administration, Annual Report to the President and to theCongress on Federal Activities Related to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended,Fiscal Year 1990, p. 136; 1990–1993, from the Annual Report for the Fiscal Year1993, p. 262; 1994 and thereafter, from unpublished information providedby the administration.

Series Bf719–721. U.S. Bureau of the Census, Statistical Abstract of the UnitedStates, which reports the information from annual issues of U.S. Social andRehabilitation Service, Caseload Statistics of State Vocational Rehabilitation Agen-cies in Fiscal Years and State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency Program Data in FiscalYears. Annual updates are often reported in the Statistical Abstract before theannual reports of the administration are issued.

DocumentationThe state–federal program of vocational rehabilitation assists persons withdisabilities, and especially persons with severe disabilities, to reach success-ful employment outcomes. Persons with severe disabilities are persons whose

physical or mental impairment seriously limits one or more functional capaci-ties in terms of an employment outcome, and whose vocational rehabilitationcan be expected to require multiple vocational rehabilitation services over anextended period of time. The percentage of persons served with severe dis-abilities has risen from 58 percent in 1980 to 79 percent in 1997.

Series Bf717. Includes active cases accepted for rehabilitation services dur-ing the year plus active cases on hand at beginning of the year.

Series Bf718. Persons rehabilitated refers to persons who are successfullyplaced into gainful employment.

Series Bf719–721. These series present data on expenditures only under thebasic support provisions of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act. As of 1970,federal funds were allotted to fifty-four states and territories in support ofbasic programs for providing vocational rehabilitation services. The federalallotment was based on population and per capita income. In 1970, expen-ditures were at the matching rates of 80 percent for the federal governmentand 20 percent for the state; in 1995 the matching rates were 78.7 and 21.3percent, respectively.


TABLE Bf722–734 Federal employee and civil service retirement systems – annuitants: 1925–1997Contributed by Price V. Fishback and Melissa A. Thomasson

Optional with Optional with Air TransferredMandatory 30 years less than 30 Hazardous traffic Members from other Voluntary

Total retirement service years service Normal Disabled Deferred Involuntary duty controllers of Congress systems early


Year Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Number

1925 11,689 9,741 — — — 1,948 — — — — — — —1930 17,768 12,504 — — — 3,994 — 1,270 — — — — —1935 48,655 23,853 4,310 — — 9,886 — 10,606 — — — — —1940 62,027 30,216 6,318 — — 15,294 — 10,199 — — — — —1945 85,011 28,904 16,388 5,766 — 23,389 2,104 8,460 — — — — —

1950 155,135 27,503 32,827 14,711 — 42,869 27,446 8,177 219 — 52 1,331 —1955 226,180 27,718 57,716 26,081 — 61,043 43,339 7,715 1,435 — 107 1,026 —1956 246,362 27,835 64,776 30,316 — 66,093 47,069 7,484 1,714 — 103 972 —1957 276,408 28,766 77,354 35,546 — 73,074 51,420 7,299 1,922 — 122 905 —1958 311,992 30,476 87,057 42,051 — 84,493 57,164 7,707 2,087 — 114 843 —

1959 338,898 32,486 92,888 47,957 — 92,723 61,538 8,095 2,263 — 161 787 —1960 365,391 33,977 97,518 89,318 — 101,940 30,848 8,500 2,405 — 143 742 —1961 396,523 35,608 104,160 97,854 — 112,060 33,960 9,345 2,657 — 163 716 —1962 426,031 37,122 109,543 106,787 — 121,859 36,823 10,132 2,939 — 158 668 —1963 453,099 38,587 114,575 115,615 — 129,834 39,517 10,877 3,287 — 187 620 —

1964 482,131 39,944 119,603 124,551 — 139,378 42,055 12,211 3,613 — 184 592 —1965 508,731 41,134 123,840 131,831 — 149,174 44,408 13,669 3,910 — 223 542 —1966 560,992 41,570 140,386 148,288 — 160,904 46,899 17,646 4,570 — 221 508 —1967 580,771 41,046 143,896 155,078 — 166,928 48,912 19,319 4,869 — 235 488 —1968 604,873 41,151 148,834 163,539 — 172,768 51,116 21,542 5,241 — 225 457 —

1969 628,572 40,819 154,042 172,915 — 178,334 53,034 23,219 5,549 — 249 411 —1970 662,223 40,197 162,890 184,506 — 185,081 55,107 27,922 5,922 — 232 366 —1971 711,323 39,425 172,776 197,638 — 195,732 57,716 41,147 6,302 — 254 333 —1972 758,469 38,508 187,159 208,624 — 205,413 60,045 51,361 6,807 — 246 306 —1973 843,520 37,230 214,097 223,861 — 219,786 62,342 78,042 7,602 28 265 267 —

1974 938,654 35,762 249,204 240,234 — 238,543 65,268 100,046 9,017 133 251 196 —1975 989,786 34,179 262,289 242,221 — 257,774 68,784 113,813 10,071 189 287 179 —1976 1,038,337 33,241 278,043 247,901 — 279,326 70,791 116,749 11,603 245 281 157 —1977 1,096,561 32,194 297,838 253,510 — 306,380 72,678 120,278 12,899 322 317 145 —1978 1,148,142 31,512 319,172 260,301 — 323,446 75,035 122,712 15,117 421 303 123 —

1979 1,189,942 29,611 342,157 266,875 — 333,230 76,460 124,543 16,074 545 341 106 —1980 1,247,886 — — — 681,537 343,251 76,753 128,259 16,937 703 347 99 —1981 1,320,439 1 — — — 738,356 347,500 78,542 97,199 17,827 987 391 4,658 34,9791982 1,357,687 — — — 769,916 348,068 79,885 99,052 18,488 1,259 373 4,915 35,7311983 1,388,616 — — — 804,236 343,457 80,753 99,819 19,081 1,478 378 3,821 35,593

1984 1,420,194 — — — 837,368 337,871 80,974 101,622 19,506 1,773 373 5,218 35,4891985 1,454,206 — — — 876,692 331,675 80,849 101,887 19,915 2,123 377 5,503 35,1851986 1,491,571 — — — 916,313 325,978 81,114 102,850 20,477 2,483 362 5,724 36,2701987 1,504,140 — — — 934,269 318,436 80,172 103,638 20,917 2,850 369 5,762 37,7271988 1,548,363 — — — 973,533 311,263 79,830 105,467 21,553 3,354 351 6,139 46,873

1989 1,571,418 — — — 1,000,986 304,571 78,761 105,929 22,105 3,760 352 6,426 48,5281990 1,584,785 — — — 1,021,950 297,257 77,429 105,982 22,830 4,113 342 6,868 48,0141991 1,614,306 — — — 1,054,589 289,723 76,437 106,732 23,478 4,505 346 7,398 51,0981992 1,604,444 — — — 1,040,441 281,690 75,088 119,822 23,652 4,639 336 7,396 51,3801993 1,652,667 — — — 1,059,486 274,401 73,297 123,056 24,042 4,828 391 7,742 85,424

1994 1,666,226 — — — 1,063,518 268,375 71,652 125,102 25,147 5,177 381 7,844 99,0301995 1,703,467 — — — 1,077,004 263,377 70,428 128,641 26,690 5,379 404 8,320 123,2241996 1,718,898 — — — 1,078,296 259,885 69,000 127,582 28,022 5,596 401 8,631 141,4851997 1,730,952 — — — 1,079,935 256,595 67,319 126,619 29,196 5,753 423 8,784 156,328

1 Data revised from original source.

SourceCivil Service Retirement and Disability Fund Annual reports, unpublisheddata.

DocumentationThe Office of Personnel Management is no longer required to prepare thesource reports, which are not publicly available. Historical data (before1989) are unaudited. For further information, contact the Office of Person-nel Management. See also the text for Table Bf735–745.

These series combine annuitants covered under the Civil Service Retire-ment System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).

Systematic provision for the retirement of federal civil service employeesstarted with the original retirement act (Public Law 66-215), which wassigned May 22, 1920, and initially covered about 330,000 employees in theclassified civil service. The Act provided only for mandatory and disabilityretirement after fifteen years of service with annual annuities ranging from$180 to $720 based on length of service and the average salary for the tenyears preceding retirement. Benefits have continued to evolve to the presenttime. They are now financed by both employee and government contribu-tions to the retirement fund, and they provide benefits based on length ofservice and the average salary over the highest three years of pay. Additionalinformation on the CSRS from 1921 through 1970 can be found in thetext for Table Bf735–745. As of September 30, 1978, the former mandatory


TABLE Bf722–734 Federal employee and civil service retirement systems – annuitants: 1925–1997 Continued

separation requirement for federal employees who attain age 70 was re-moved. In 1979, the Office of Personnel Management began to administerthe program, which was replaced by a new FERS in 1987.

As of 1999, almost all federal employees hired after 1983 are automati-cally included in the FERS program. The FERS provides three types of bene-fits: the basic Social Security benefits, a basic annuity component based oncontributions by the employer and the government, and the opportunity toparticipate in a Thrift Savings Plan, which is essentially a tax-deferred savingsand investment plan similar to the 401(k) for corporations. Generally, thebasic annuity component of FERS is 1 percent of the employee’s “high-3”year’s average pay, multiplied by years of service. If the employee retires atage 62, or later, with at least twenty years of service, a factor of 1.1 percent isused rather than 1 percent. The tax-deferred savings plan allows employeesto contribute up to 10 percent of their income. The government automati-cally contributes to the employee’s account an amount equal to 1 percentof basic pay, and, if the employee contributes, the government matches thecontribution up to a maximum of 4 percent of the employee’s salary to theplan. A special retirement supplement designed to approximate the retiree’seventual Social Security benefits may be provided to compensate the retireefor any lack of Social Security benefits for those retiring prior to reaching theage of 62. Retirees may be eligible for the supplement if they retired after theminimum retirement age with thirty years of service, at age 60 with twentyyears of service, or upon involuntary retirement. Law enforcement officersand firefighters who retire at age 50 with twenty years of service or at anyage with twenty-five years of service are also eligible for the supplement. Thissupplement is also payable, after attainment of the minimum retirement age,to discontinued service and involuntary retirees as well as to members of theSenior Executive Service (SES) who are removed from SES status and whoretire at the age of 50 with twenty years of service or at any age with twenty-five years of service.

Employees hired prior to 1984 are typically included under the CSRS, al-though they have the option to transfer to the FERS. Many of the features ofthe CSRS plans are the same as in 1973, although as of September 30, 1978,mandatory retirement was eliminated for federal employees. CSRS-coveredemployees may also participate in the Thrift Savings Plan, but their partici-pation is limited to 5 percent of salary and no government contribution ismade.

As of 1997, there are two requirements that all retiring employees mustmeet for the CSRS. First, the employee must have at least five years of civilianservice with the federal government. Second, unless retiring because of totaldisability, the employee must have been employed under the CSRS for atleast one year of the last two preceding final separation. There is no “1-out-of-2” requirement under FERS as there is under CSRS. Employees are eligiblefor immediate retirement if they meet these general requirements and anycombination of the following age/service requirements. (1) Employees mayelect optional voluntary early retirement, series Bf734, at a minimum age of62 with at least five years of service; at age 60 with at least twenty years ofservice; or at age 55 with thirty years of service. (2) Law enforcement offi-cers may retire at age 50 with twenty years of service. (3) Employees at anyage with at least twenty-five years of service may retire when the agency isundergoing a major reduction in force. In the latter category, benefits maybe reduced.

Series Bf722. For 1920–1979, equals the sum of series Bf723–725 andBf727–733. For 1980–1997, equals the sum of series Bf726–734.

Series Bf723–726. The employees who retired under the “normal” rules arereported from 1920 to 1979 in three categories: mandatory retirement, op-tional retirement with thirty or more years of service, and optional retirementwith less than thirty years of service. Starting with 1980, these three serieswere replaced by a single series for normal retirement (series Bf726). In 1979,when both sets of series were reported, series Bf723–725 summed to seriesBf726. Series Bf723 ends in 1979 because the mandatory retirement agerequirement was abolished.

Series Bf727. Employees of any age with at least five years of service mayqualify for disability retirement if they become disabled for useful and effi-cient service.

Series Bf728. An employee who meets the five-year service requirement forretirement and who is separated from the federal service for any reason be-fore meeting the age requirement for a general annuity may receive a deferredannuity that is payable upon attaining age 62. For 1945–1955, the informa-tion for the series was listed in the original source under the title “optionalretirement with 5 years service at age 62.”

Series Bf729. Employees age 50 or older with at least twenty years of ser-vice, or at any age with at least twenty-five years of service, may qualify fordiscontinued service retirement with a reduced annuity in cases of involun-tary separation from the federal service. Involuntary separations include anyseparation against the will and without the consent of the employee, otherthan “for cause” for misconduct or delinquency. The most common cause ofan involuntary separation was a reduction in force. Employees who decline“reasonable offers” of other positions are not eligible for discontinued ser-vice annuities. A reasonable offer is defined as the offer of another positionin your agency and commuting area for which you are qualified and that isno more than two grades or pay levels below your current grade or pay level.

Series Bf730–733. There are several categories of federal employees who op-erate under special retirement rules, including those under hazardous duty,air-traffic controllers, members of Congress, and annuitants who were trans-ferred from other systems. The hazardous duty series is referred to as “lawenforcement and firefighters” after 1980, but the data are comparable overtime.

Series Bf734. Refers to annuitants who chose voluntary early retirement.Annuitants fall under this category when they volunteer to retire when anagency undergoes a major reorganization, reduction in force, or transfer offunction, and a significant percentage of the employees will be separatedor reduced in pay. At that point, the head of the agency can ask the Of-fice of Personnel Management (OPM) to permit early optional retirementfor eligible employees to lessen the impact of involuntary separations anddemotions. After the agency head obtains approval, workers with at leasttwenty-five years of service, or workers at least age 50 with twenty or moreyears, may retire voluntarily on an immediate annuity. The annuity is reducedby 2 percent for each year younger than age 55.


TABLE Bf735–745 Civil service retirement annuities and payments: 1921–19701


Annuities Lump-sum payments to

In force Separated employees Deceased employees Deceased annuitants

Certified Terminated Total Disability Annual value Payments Amount paid Payments Amount paid Payments Amount paid

Bf735 Bf736 Bf737 Bf738 Bf739 Bf740 2 Bf741 2 Bf742 2 Bf743 2 Bf744 2 Bf745 2

Year Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Million dollars Thousand Million dollars Thousand Million dollars Thousand Million dollars

1921 7 1 6 1 4 26 0.3 — — — —1922 2 — 8 1 4 71 2.2 — — — —1923 3 2 9 1 5 58 2.8 — — — —1924 2 (Z) 11 2 6 45 2.9 — — — —

1925 2 1 12 2 6 37 2.7 — — — —1926 2 1 13 2 7 34 3.4 — — — —1927 3 2 14 3 10 32 3.9 — — — —1928 3 2 15 3 11 28 3.8 — — — —1929 3 1 17 4 12 26 4.1 — — — —

1930 3 2 18 4 13 28 5.0 — — — —1931 7 2 23 5 22 24 4.2 — — — —1932 5 2 26 6 24 21 3.9 — — — —1933 9 2 33 7 32 17 4.8 — — — —1934 14 2 45 9 44 22 8.0 — — — —

1935 7 3 49 10 48 16 5.8 — — — —1936 6 4 51 11 50 12 2.6 3 2.7 2 1.21937 5 3 53 12 52 14 3.1 3 2.9 2 1.31938 6 3 56 13 55 18 3.8 3 3.1 2 1.41939 6 4 58 14 57 15 2.7 3 3.2 2 1.4

1940 7 3 62 15 60 15 2.9 3 3.7 2 1.51941 8 4 66 17 63 21 3.6 4 4.3 3 1.71942 8 5 69 18 66 46 5.6 4 3.9 3 1.71943 10 5 74 20 71 111 7.2 6 5.0 3 2.01944 10 6 78 21 76 390 21.5 9 5.2 3 2.3

1945 12 5 85 23 82 901 62.4 16 7.4 3 2.51946 16 5 96 27 93 — 179.8 3 — — 3 — 2.61947 22 7 111 32 103 943 178.9 17 10.4 4 3.71948 22 7 126 35 134 432 112.8 11 9.4 4 3.51949 31 9 148 39 154 229 61.4 6 3.9 5 4.7

1950 33 9 172 43 182 239 88.2 5 3.7 7 4.21951 36 11 197 46 206 167 64.9 4 4.0 8 3.91952 31 12 216 48 227 147 71.0 4 4.3 8 3.61953 38 13 241 52 289 136 81.4 4 5.2 8 3.81954 41 13 269 56 324 123 89.0 4 5.4 8 3.4

1955 42 14 297 61 358 101 73.3 4 5.7 8 3.61956 47 17 327 66 441 164 84.2 4 6.0 8 3.61957 61 19 369 73 516 184 99.3 4 6.7 8 3.71958 70 21 418 84 635 199 114.7 4 7.4 9 3.91959 81 23 476 93 723 144 95.4 4 7.3 9 3.7

1960 65 26 515 102 792 153 114.2 4 7.8 9 3.61961 72 28 559 112 883 131 103.7 4 8.7 9 3.61962 73 30 602 122 975 137 108.6 4 8.7 11 6.21963 73 32 643 130 1,127 131 105.8 4 9.0 13 6.11964 79 34 688 139 1,240 128 108.2 4 9.7 16 6.0

1965 78 37 729 149 1,354 121 112.5 5 10.2 15 7.31966 105 38 796 161 1,688 129 139.2 5 11.2 15 7.51967 77 42 831 167 1,881 164 157.1 5 10.5 16 7.61968 83 42 872 173 2,089 190 160.1 5 12.0 18 8.51969 86 48 910 178 2,315 207 198.8 5 12.3 15 8.2

1970 99 50 959 185 2,660 215 197.5 5 12.8 19 10.0

(Z) Fewer than 500 annuities.1 Years ending June 30.2 Deceased employees and deceased annuitants included with separated employees

through 1935.3 Amount paid to beneficiaries of deceased employees included with amount paid to

separated employees.

SourceU.S. Civil Service Commission, Civil Service Retirement, Federal Employees GroupLife Insurance, Federal Employees Health Benefits, retired Federal Employees HealthBenefits, various annual issues.

DocumentationThe original retirement act (Public Law 66-215) was signed May 22, 1920,and initially covered about 330,000 employees in the classified civil service.The Act provided only for mandatory and disability retirement after fifteenyears of service with annual annuities ranging from $180 to $720 based onlength of service and the average salary for the ten years preceding retirement.The average annuity in the year following enactment was $568.

At the time these data were collected in the early 1970s, the retirementlaw in effect (passed in 1973) provided optional retirement on full annuity atage 55 with thirty years of service, age 60 with twenty years of service, or age 62


TABLE Bf735–745 Civil service retirement annuities and payments: 1921–1970 Continued

with five years of service; disability retirement was permitted at any age withfive years of service; involuntary retirement at any age after twenty-five yearsof service, or at age 50 with twenty years of service. Deferred annuities werepayable at age 62 with five years of service. Mandatory retirement was age70 with fifteen years of service, and the average salary was the highest threeyears of salary. Employees contributed 7 percent of their pay to the retire-ment system. The annuity formula provided 1.5 percent of average salary forthe first five years service, 1.75 percent for the next five years, and 2 percentfor any remaining service, up to a maximum of 80 percent of average salary.Disability annuitants received the greater of the preceding computation ora guaranteed minimum of 40 percent of average salary or regular formulausing service projected to age 60, whichever was less. The law also containedspecial hazardous duty positions for legislative branch employees. About 2.7million employees were covered by the system, and the average annual annu-ity in 1970 was $4,920. For a more detailed depiction of timing of the majorchanges in the provisions of the Civil Service Retirement System between1920 and 1970, see Historical Statistics of the United States (1975), pp. 336–7.

Lump-sum payments or refunds are paid to persons leaving the federalservice and withdrawing contributions and to survivors of deceased employ-ees and of deceased annuitants. In the case of deceased employees with no

survivor annuity payable, accumulated deductions (contributions) are paid.In the case of deceased annuitants whose annuity paid has not equaled con-tributions, the unexpended balance is paid.

These series from the previous edition of Historical Statistics of the UnitedStates could not be updated owing to changes in the retirement systemsfor federal employees that creates problems with data comparability. SeeTable Bf722–734 for data on the number of annuitants since 1925, as wellas descriptions of the modern retirement system. As of 1999, almost all fed-eral employees hired after 1983 are automatically included in the FederalEmployee Retirement System (FERS) program.

Series Bf735, annuities certified. Represents the number of employee andsurvivor annuitants added to the roll during the year.

Series Bf736, annuities terminated. Represents the employee and survivorannuitants dropped from the roll during the year; it is derived by adding theprior year’s number in force to the current number certified and subtractingthe current number in force.

Series Bf737, annuities in force. Represents total employee and survivor an-nuitants in active annuity status as of June 30. The annual value is the averagemonthly annuity as of June 30 projected to an annual basis.


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1960

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1961

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1982

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1984

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1986

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1987

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1988

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1990

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1991

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1993

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1996

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1997

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TABLE Bf762–772 Veterans’ benefits – number of payments, by eligibility category: 1940–1998Contributed by Price V. Fishback and Melissa A. Thomasson

Disability compensation or pension

Service-connected Non-service-connected

Under age 65 Age 65 or older

With disability rating With disability rating

Less than 70–100 Less than 70–100 Age 65 orTotal All ages Total 70 percent percent Total 70 percent percent All ages Under age 65 older


Year Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand Thousand

1940 610 385 — — — — — — 189 — —1945 1,144 912 — — — — — — 159 — —1950 2,368 1,990 — — — — — — 290 — —

1955 2,699 2,076 — — — — — — 531 — —1956 2,739 2,083 2,026 1,841 185 57 43 14 597 319 2781957 2,797 2,074 2,004 1,825 179 70 53 17 670 304 3661958 2,850 2,064 1,980 1,807 173 84 65 19 741 279 4621959 2,934 2,053 1,952 1,781 171 101 78 23 841 257 584

1960 3,009 2,027 1,908 1,746 162 119 93 26 947 219 7281961 3,107 2,000 1,868 1,711 158 131 104 27 1,077 182 8951962 3,150 1,987 1,849 1,693 156 138 109 29 1,138 166 9721963 3,181 1,989 1,844 1,686 158 145 115 30 1,170 165 1,0051964 3,197 1,993 1,846 1,684 162 147 117 30 1,186 176 1,010

1965 3,217 1,992 1,846 1,679 167 146 117 29 1,210 197 1,0131966 3,201 1,993 1,850 1,677 173 143 115 28 1,196 221 9751967 3,182 1,999 1,858 1,683 175 141 114 27 1,173 243 9301968 3,164 2,011 1,873 1,696 177 138 112 26 1,145 265 8801969 3,160 2,039 1,904 1,712 192 135 110 25 1,114 286 828

1970 3,181 2,091 1,950 1,754 196 141 116 25 1,086 310 7761971 3,222 2,146 1,995 1,780 215 151 128 23 1,073 335 7381972 3,269 2,183 2,022 1,804 218 161 135 26 1,086 381 7051973 3,257 2,204 2,028 1,806 222 176 150 26 1,053 402 6511974 3,241 2,211 2,018 1,796 222 193 165 28 1,030 410 620

1975 3,227 2,220 2,006 1,784 222 214 185 29 1,006 430 5761976 3,236 2,232 1,996 1,767 229 236 209 27 1,003 456 5471977 3,280 2,248 1,989 1,759 230 258 226 32 1,032 505 5271978 3,284 2,259 1,971 1,741 230 288 254 34 1,025 516 5091979 3,241 2,267 1,944 1,717 227 323 285 38 974 500 474

1980 3,196 2,274 1,912 1,689 223 362 320 42 922 467 4551981 3,154 2,279 1,873 1,656 217 406 359 47 875 438 4371982 3,096 2,274 1,818 1,606 210 456 404 52 824 406 4181983 3,044 2,263 1,744 1,544 200 519 461 58 781 373 4081984 2,980 2,251 1,666 1,476 190 585 520 65 729 339 390

1985 2,931 2,240 1,589 1,408 181 651 579 72 690 306 3841986 2,883 2,225 1,505 1,335 169 720 641 79 658 274 3841987 2,844 2,212 1,428 1,268 160 784 698 86 631 244 3871988 2,804 2,199 1,361 1,209 153 838 746 92 606 219 3871989 2,776 2,192 1,302 1,156 146 890 792 98 584 196 388

1990 2,746 2,184 1,253 1,113 140 931 828 102 562 175 3871991 2,709 2,179 1,238 1,098 140 941 838 103 530 156 3751992 2,674 2,181 1,245 1,104 141 936 833 103 493 138 3541993 2,660 2,198 1,265 1,122 143 932 828 104 462 128 3351994 2,659 2,218 1,290 1,144 146 928 824 104 441 122 319

1995 2,669 2,236 1,310 1,158 152 926 819 107 433 120 3131996 2,671 2,253 1,330 1,171 158 923 814 109 418 116 3021997 2,667 2,263 1,346 1,178 168 917 805 112 404 112 2921998 2,668 2,277 1,372 1,191 180 905 790 115 391 110 281

SourceU.S. Social Security Administration, Social Security Bulletin: Annual StatisticalSupplement (1999), Table 9.F1, p. 341. The original source of the series ispublished and unpublished data from the U.S. Department of Veteran’sAffairs.

DocumentationTwo major cash programs are available to veterans. The Disability Com-pensation program pays monthly benefits to honorably discharged veterans

who are disabled as a result of injury or disease incurred while in or ag-gravated by active military duty. The amount of payment depends on thedegree of disability, rated as the percentage impairment of earning capacity,graduated in intervals from 10 to 100 percent. Veterans with a 30 percentservice-connected disability are also entitled to an additional allowance fordependents.

The surviving spouse, dependent children, and certain parents of veteranswho die as the result of an injury or disease incurred while in or aggravated


TABLE Bf762–772 Veterans’ benefits – number of payments, by eligibility category: 1940–1998 Continued

by active military duty are also eligible for compensation under the Depen-dency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) program. The amount paid isbased on the number of dependents and the degree of disability. DIC ben-efits may also be paid if the veteran was receiving or was entitled to receivecompensation for a service-connected disability at the time of his death. BothDisability Compensation and DIC benefits are not means-tested.

Means-tested monthly benefits are provided to honorably dischargedwartime veterans with limited income and resources who are permanentlyand totally disabled as a result of a condition not related to their militaryservice. The amount of benefit varies with the number of the veteran’s depen-dents and the severity of the veteran’s condition. Pensions for non-service-connected death are based on need and are paid to surviving spouses and de-pendent children of deceased wartime veterans. For a pension to be payable,

the veteran generally must have met the same service requirements estab-lished for the non-service-connected disability pension program.

Data reported are as of June 30 (1940–1956), June 20 (1957–1976), andSeptember 30 thereafter.

Series Bf762. Does not always equal the sum of series Bf763 and Bf770because there are persons receiving payments under special acts and as re-tired emergency and reserve offices included in the total but excluded fromdistribution.

Series Bf763. The sum of series Bf764 and Bf767.





PRIVATE WELFARE


TABLE Bf773–785 Private social welfare expenditures: 1950–1994Contributed by Price V. Fishback and Melissa A. Thomasson

Social welfare expendituresPrivate social welfare expenditures as a percentage of GDP Private social welfare expenditures, earlier method

Health and Income Welfare Public and Health and Income WelfareTotal medical care maintenance Education services private Public Private Total medical care maintenance Education services


Million Million Million Million Million Million Million Million Million MillionYear dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars Percent Percent Percent dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars

1950 — — — — — — — — 12,027 965 8,962 1,615 6851955 — — — — — — — — 17,997 1,895 12,909 2,343 8501960 — — — — — — — — 27,829 3,535 19,461 3,745 1,088

1965 — — — — — — — — 42,687 5,975 29,357 5,980 1,3751966 — — — — — — — — 42,245 — 31,464 6,648 —1967 — — — — — — — — 48,531 — 32,315 7,456 —1968 — — — — — — — — 52,679 8,840 33,523 8,566 1,7501969 — — — — — — — — 58,611 10,170 37,041 9,500 1,900

1970 — — — — — — — — 67,353 11,660 43,810 9,883 2,0001971 — — — — — — — — 74,380 13,100 48,387 10,793 2,1001972 95,362 55,800 17,123 14,894 7,545 23.5 16.6 7.7 82,127 14,835 53,214 11,778 2,3001973 104,083 61,500 18,063 16,223 8,297 23.4 16.7 7.5 90,610 16,640 58,715 12,655 2,6001974 114,084 67,700 19,660 17,754 8,970 23.8 17.0 7.6 99,592 18,725 64,535 13,432 2,900

1975 128,556 75,700 23,336 19,453 10,067 25.2 18.2 7.9 111,658 21,630 72,333 14,695 3,0001976 145,570 87,400 25,004 21,418 11,748 26.8 19.7 8.0 125,187 24,605 80,777 16,405 3,4001977 167,276 100,200 30,662 22,879 13,535 26.6 19.3 8.3 146,769 27,800 97,243 17,876 3,8501978 189,590 111,000 36,743 25,257 16,590 25.6 18.2 8.3 165,978 31,400 110,778 19,500 4,3001979 217,279 125,100 44,703 27,936 19,540 25.3 17.7 8.3 — — — — —

1980 250,534 142,500 53,564 31,694 22,776 26.1 18.1 9.0 — — — — —1981 285,585 165,700 58,741 35,416 25,728 26.9 18.7 9.2 — — — — —1982 328,111 188,400 72,445 39,199 28,067 28.2 19.2 10.1 — — — — —1983 366,635 207,700 84,652 42,891 31,392 28.9 19.6 10.4 — — — — —1984 406,535 229,600 95,759 46,427 34,749 27.6 18.3 10.4 — — — — —

1985 462,283 253,900 118,871 50,513 38,999 27.6 17.8 11.1 — — — — —1986 512,287 271,000 143,670 54,406 43,211 28.0 17.7 11.6 — — — — —1987 544,584 293,000 143,589 60,394 47,601 28.8 18.5 11.6 — — — — —1988 600,132 333,100 148,858 65,595 52,579 29.3 18.7 11.9 — — — — —1989 668,806 369,800 167,260 72,434 59,312 29.4 18.5 12.3 — — — — —

1990 720,718 413,100 164,772 78,263 64,583 29.7 18.5 12.5 — — — — —1991 764,439 441,000 170,754 83,687 68,998 31.3 19.8 12.9 — — — — —1992 830,628 477,000 187,461 90,145 76,022 32.4 20.6 13.3 — — — — —1993 873,871 505,100 192,340 95,532 80,899 33.0 21.1 13.3 — — — — —1994 921,465 528,600 204,736 101,832 86,297 — — 13.3 — — — — —

SourcesSeries Bf773–780. Wilmer Kerns, “Private Social Welfare Expenditures,1972–94,” Social Security Bulletin 60 (1) (1997): 54–5. Series Bf781–785: forthe years 1950, 1955, 1960, 1965, 1970, and 1974–1978, Alma W. McMillanand Ann Kallman Bixby, “Social Welfare Expenditures, Fiscal Year 1978,” So-cial Security Bulletin 43 (5) (1980): 16; for the years 1971–1973, Alfred M. Skol-nik and Sophie R. Dales, “Social Welfare Expenditures, Fiscal Year, 1976,”Social Security Bulletin 40 (1) (1977): 17; for the year 1969, Alfred M. Skolnikand Sophie R. Dales, “Social Welfare Expenditures, 1972–73,” Social SecurityBulletin 37 (1) (1974): 17; for the year 1968, Alfred M. Skolnik and Sophie R.Dales, “Social Welfare Expenditures, 1971–72,” Social Security Bulletin 35 (12)(1972): 16; and for the years 1966 and 1967, Alfred M. Skolnik and SophieR. Dales, “Social Welfare Expenditures, 1968–69,” Social Security Bulletin 32(12) (1969): 17.

DocumentationThe Social Security Administration (SSA) has estimated private social welfareexpenditures for 1972 to the present for calendar years – see series Bf773–777 and Bf779 – using methodologies described first in Milton P. Glanz,Wilmer L. Kerns, and Jack Schmulowitz, “Private Social Welfare Expendi-

tures,” 1972–84,” Social Security Bulletin 50 (5) (1987): 59–67. Through thelate 1970s, the SSA used an alternative methodology to develop earlier es-timates for fiscal years during the period 1950–1978 but ended the seriesbecause of data-source and methodology limitations.

Series Bf773–777. All estimates are on a calendar-year basis in current-year dollars. The private social welfare expenditures series are estimates ofprivate-sector financing of social welfare programs in the United States. Theycomplement the parallel public social welfare expenditures series but do nothave a one-to-one relationship with them. Conceptually, private expenditurescan be grouped into four major categories: health and medical care, incomemaintenance, education, and welfare services.

Series Bf774. The health and medical care expenditures data are from theHealth Care Financing Administration. They include spending on health ser-vices and supplies (rising from 94.2 percent in 1972 to 97.6 percent in 1994),noncommercial medical research (0.2 to 0.4 percent), and medical facilitiesconstruction (5.2 percent in 1972, declining to 2.2 percent in 1974).

Series Bf775. Income maintenance expenditures represent outlay for em-ployee benefit plans in the private sector, including group life insurance,

PRIVATE WELFARE Series Bf773–785 821

TABLE Bf773–785 Private social welfare expenditures: 1950–1994 Continued

sickness and disability insurance, long-term disability insurance, and privatepension plans.

Series Bf776. The SSA developed a methodology for estimating private ex-penditures for education that has produced estimates similar to those by theBureau of Economic Analysis, using an alternative methodology. Both agen-cies have modified their procedures over the past ten to fifteen years, and theseries are approaching convergence. For discussion of the procedures for theperiod 1972–1994, see Wilmer Kerns, “Private Social Welfare Expenditures,1972–90,” Social Security Bulletin 55 (3) (1992): 62–63.

Series Bf777. The welfare services estimates are based on an indicator seriesdeveloped by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis for the national income

and product accounts on personal consumption expenditures. The data arecollected by the Census Bureau from its Census of Service Industries. Publicfunds are excluded from the estimates for private social services. The servicesinclude individual and family services (19.6 percent in 1992), residential care(18.2 percent), civic and social/fraternal organizations (18.1), child day care(10.9), job training and vocational rehabilitation services (9.4), and socialservices not elsewhere classified (23.9).

Series Bf778. Fiscal year basis.

Series Bf780. Adjusts for overlap that occurs when payments received un-der public or private income-maintenance programs are used to purchasemedical care, educational services, or residential care.


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111,

048

107,

432

236

3,38

036

,743

4,19

327

,316

——

248

25,2

577,

323

13,1

364,

069

729

4,69

219

7912

5,05

412

1,19

325

43,

607

44,7

034,

564

31,6

02—

—40

027

,936

8,13

014

,656

4,34

480

65,

772

1980

142,

493

138,

041

292

4,16

153

,564

5,07

537

,605

8,63

01,

282

972

31,6

949,

338

16,5

204,

661

1,17

56,

280

1981

165,

715

160,

297

312

5,10

758

,741

5,74

644

,569

——

491

35,4

1610

,251

19,0

004,

994

1,17

16,

437

1982

188,

397

181,

844

390

6,16

372

,445

6,26

954

,380

9,17

81,

688

930

39,1

9910

,727

21,9

935,

123

1,35

66,

884

1983

207,

746

200,

372

456

6,91

984

,652

6,51

066

,743

9,17

11,

817

411

42,8

9111

,569

24,2

495,

661

1,41

26,

993

1984

229,

938

222,

755

506

6,67

795

,759

6,89

976

,683

—1,

874

282

46,4

2712

,362

26,4

906,

175

1,40

07,

498

1985

254,

518

248,

018

538

5,96

211

8,87

17,

489

98,5

7010

,570

1,93

730

550

,513

13,1

2128

,758

6,93

41,

700

8,02

619

8627

1,39

826

4,84

478

25,

771

143,

670

7,79

712

2,38

410

,748

2,25

348

854

,406

13,5

5031

,243

7,51

32,

100

8,04

619

8729

3,29

128

5,98

280

06,

509

143,

589

8,16

612

0,67

211

,822

2,29

363

660

,394

14,4

9633

,788

8,41

03,

700

8,89

619

8833

4,25

132

5,59

283

97,

820

148,

858

8,41

812

4,87

112

,789

2,29

548

565

,595

15,4

3536

,608

10,6

522,

900

9,63

619

8937

1,41

336

2,36

188

28,

170

167,

260

9,06

314

1,28

613

,616

2,89

240

372

,434

16,8

6140

,288

11,9

853,

300

9,86

9

1990

416,

187

405,

939

960

9,28

816

4,77

29,

278

138,

114

13,6

802,

926

774

78,2

6317

,546

43,9

5212

,665

4,10

010

,362

1991

448,

859

438,

737

1,09

09,

033

170,

754

9,47

214

3,31

413

,844

3,17

295

283

,687

17,9

6047

,978

12,8

494,

900

10,6

1519

9248

3,55

347

2,54

61,

183

9,82

418

7,46

110

,184

158,

857

14,6

843,

143

593

90,1

4519

,312

52,0

2413

,709

5,10

0—

1993

513,

172

501,

275

1,21

510

,682

192,

340

10,6

9316

3,15

815

,132

2,90

045

795

,532

20,2

0155

,908

14,5

234,

900

—19

9452

4,90

851

3,13

61,

276

10,4

9620

4,73

611

,229

174,

452

15,9

012,

895

259

101,

832

21,2

2259

,675

15,5

355,

400

—

1995

538,

507

527,

555

1,32

59,

628

——

——

——

——

——

——

1996

561,

141

549,

454

1,43

210

,254

——

——

——

——

——

——

1997

585,

312

571,

946

1,48

811

,877

——

——

——

——

——

——

(con

tinu

ed)


TABLE Bf786–801 Private social welfare expenditures – disaggregations of major categories: 1960–1997 Continued

SourcesFor series Bf786–789, see the Health Care Financing Administration Internetsite, National Health Care Expenditures. See also Health Care Financing Re-view, Statistical Supplement, 1998. For series Bf790–800, Wilmer Kerns, “PrivateSocial Welfare Expenditures, 1972–94,” Social Security Bulletin 60 (1) (1997):54–9 and “Role of the Private Sector in Financing Social Welfare Programs,1972–92,” Social Security Bulletin 58 (1) (1995): 66–73. There are some ex-ceptions for the income-maintenance expenditures: the figures for 1974 and1976–1978 are from Wilmer Kerns and Milton P. Glanz, “Private Social Wel-fare Expenditures, 1972–95,” Social Security Bulletin 51 (8) (1988): 8; and thefigures for 1979 and 1984 are from Wilmer Kerns, “Private Social WelfareExpenditures, 1972–92,” Social Security Bulletin 57 (3) (1992): 63. For seriesBf801, see Wilmer Kerns, “Social Welfare Expenditure, 1972–1991,” SocialSecurity Bulletin 57 (1) (1994): 92, and Kerns and Glanz (1988).

DocumentationFor more detail on health care expenditures and the source, see the text forTable Bf875–886.

Series Bf786. Identical to series Bf876, and the sum of series Bf787–789.

Series Bf787. Health services and supplies include “personal health care,”comprising therapeutic goods or services rendered to treat or prevent a spe-cific disease or condition in a specific person, and services, including hospitalservices, physician services, dental service, durable and nondurable medicaldevices, nursing home care, program administration, and net costs of healthinsurance. The series represents spending for care rendered during the year.It is the sum of personal health care expenditures, government public healthactivity, and program administration. It is distinguished from research andconstruction expenditures, which represent an investment in the future healthcare system.

Series Bf788–789. Includes noncommercial biomedical research and theconstruction of health care facilities.

Series Bf790. Identical to series Bf775.

Series Bf790–795. In the years 1980 through 1994, the subcategories shouldsum to series Bf790. Prior to that time, series Bf790 includes information onaccidental death and dismemberment. Missing information on sickness anddisability in some years (see discussion that follows) also prevent the sub-categories from summing to the total. See the text for Table Bf773–785 formore detail.

Series Bf791. Includes programs for government civilian employees in or-der to maintain consistency with data reported for years prior to 1988. Theestimates are further adjusted to exclude group policies not based directlyon employer–employee relationships, such as insurance for credit card hold-ers, mortgage insurance, fraternal societies, savings or investment groups,professional societies and employee associations; the excluded categoriesaccount for about 8 percent of total life insurance benefits. The totals alsoinclude accidental death and dismemberment benefits for the 1972–1979

period. After 1979, the Health Insurance Association of America eliminatedthis item from their questionnaire.

Series Bf792. Based on mandatory form 5500 reports filed with the Inter-nal Revenue Service and forwarded to the Department of Labor. Defined-contribution benefit plans included 401(k)-type plans, into which employeescan contribute a portion of their salaries with or without employer con-tributions on a tax-deferred basis. Another form of pension coverage isthe employee stock ownership plan. Benefits paid include benefits from allemployment-related pension plans to which employees contribute (such asthrift plans). However, withdrawals from individual savings plans, individ-ual retirement accounts, and Keogh plans are not included. More detail onspecific types of pension plan expenditures is available in the source.

Series Bf793. Sickness and disability benefits are sick leave and paymentsfor short-term sickness and disability from private and self-insurance. After1980 long-term and short-term disability benefits are estimated separately.This series does not correspond exactly to the series on short-term sicknessbenefits in Tables Bf854–874. For the years 1972–1986, Kerns and Glanz(1988, p. 8) report figures on sickness and disability benefits, but the esti-mates for the overlapping years do not match up with the data on sicknessand disability reported in this table.

Series Bf793 and Bf801. In the 1995 Kerns article, there was a change in themethod of calculating sickness and disability insurance payments that led tosubstantial changes in the numbers reported. Series Bf801 was included forpersons who were interested in having a consistent series for changes duringthe 1970s and early 1980s. Kerns seems to consider series Bf793 to be thesuperior estimate.

Series Bf794. Long-term disability benefits, as a rule, commence on the firstday of the seventh month of disability. The figures are estimated from datasupplied by the Health Insurance Association of America. Long-term disabil-ity benefits paid under the provisions of employment-related pension plansare included in the private pension category.

Series Bf795. Data on supplemental unemployment benefits are taken fromthe national income and product accounts (NIPA) series on other labor in-come by industry and by type. Most of these benefits are paid to automobileworkers under management-union contractual agreements.

Series Bf796. Identical to series Bf776, and the sum of series Bf797–800.

Series Bf796–800. The education spending figures are derived from meth-ods developed by both the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the U.S.Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). For consistency, the SSA is now usingthe BEA’s NIPA estimates with two minor adjustments. The SSA estimatesinclude school construction costs funded by private sources, which the BEAreports elsewhere. The BEA estimate for education includes contributionsfrom foundations and from nonprofit research funds, which are excluded bythe SSA.

Series Bf801. Covers private industry wage and salary workers.


TABLE Bf802–813 Employee-benefit plans – estimated number of workers covered, by type of benefit: 1950–1975Contributed by Price V. Fishback and Melissa A. Thomasson

All wage and salary workers Wage and salary workers in private industry

With coveragefor temporary

With hospitalization disability includingcoverage formal sick leave

Written inWith accidental compliance With With major In compliance With With

With life death and with California With regular medical with state coverage for supplemental Withinsurance and dismemberment temporary surgical medical expenses temporary long-term unemployment retirementdeath benefits coverage Total disability law coverage coverage coverage Total disability laws disability coverage coverage


Year Million Million Million Million Million Million Million Million Million Million Million Million

1950 19.4 8.1 24.3 1.2 17.7 8.2 — 20.1 6.6 — — 9.81951 20.8 9.5 27.1 1.4 21.7 10.7 — 21.7 6.8 — — 10.81952 22.3 10.7 28.8 1.5 24.2 12.7 0.2 22.4 7.0 — — 11.31953 24.2 11.8 31.0 1.5 26.9 15.8 0.5 23.4 7.0 — — 12.61954 25.7 14.0 31.1 1.4 27.8 17.5 0.8 22.9 6.7 — — 13.4

1955 28.1 15.6 32.8 1.4 30.2 20.2 2.2 23.5 6.8 — 1.0 14.21956 29.8 17.3 35.1 1.5 32.4 22.0 3.5 24.7 7.1 — 2.0 15.51957 31.2 18.4 36.4 1.6 34.2 23.9 4.9 24.9 7.2 — 1.9 16.71958 31.7 18.7 36.2 1.4 34.1 24.5 5.9 23.8 6.8 — 1.7 17.21959 33.5 19.7 37.2 1.5 35.4 26.1 7.2 24.4 6.9 — 1.9 18.2

1960 34.2 20.9 39.3 1.2 37.4 28.2 8.8 24.5 6.8 — 1.7 18.71961 35.5 21.3 39.9 1.1 38.0 29.8 10.3 24.6 6.8 — 1.9 19.21962 36.4 22.6 41.0 0.9 39.0 31.3 11.7 25.3 6.8 — 1.8 19.71963 37.8 24.7 42.6 0.3 40.8 33.3 13.2 23.6 6.2 0.7 1.8 20.31964 40.1 26.5 43.9 0.3 41.8 35.4 14.7 23.9 6.2 1.2 2.0 20.9

1965 41.9 28.4 45.7 0.3 43.4 38.2 16.6 24.5 6.4 1.9 2.1 21.81966 43.5 28.5 47.2 0.4 45.2 40.2 18.3 25.5 6.6 2.3 2.2 22.71967 45.7 30.4 48.7 0.4 47.0 42.5 20.2 26.0 6.7 3.7 2.2 24.31968 48.2 33.7 50.1 0.4 48.3 43.6 21.7 27.9 6.7 4.6 2.2 24.81969 49.0 36.5 52.1 0.4 50.6 46.1 23.4 29.4 6.9 5.5 2.2 26.0

1970 52.0 38.7 53.1 0.4 51.5 48.0 24.6 29.7 7.1 7.0 2.2 26.11971 53.5 39.2 53.2 0.4 51.7 48.3 25.7 30.1 6.9 7.9 2.2 26.41972 55.6 40.7 54.2 0.4 52.9 49.4 26.4 31.3 7.1 9.5 2.0 27.51973 57.8 42.7 56.8 0.4 55.4 53.7 27.6 32.0 7.2 10.6 2.1 29.21974 60.6 44.3 57.6 0.4 56.1 54.9 28.2 31.7 7.0 11.1 2.0 29.8

1975 62.4 46.5 58.2 0.4 56.6 56.1 29.6 31.1 7.0 11.5 1.9 30.3

SourcesMartha Remy Yohalem, “Employee-Benefit Plans, 1975,” Social Security Bulletin38 (11) (1977): 20, and Alfred M. Skolnik, “Twenty-five Years of Employee-Benefit Plans,” Social Security Bulletin 39 (9) (1976): 5.

DocumentationAn “employee-benefit plan,” as defined here, is any type of plan sponsoredor initiated unilaterally or jointly by employers or employees and providingbenefits that stem from the employment relationship and are not underwrit-ten or paid directly by government (federal, state, or local). In general, theintent is to include plans that provide in an orderly predetermined fashion(1) income maintenance when regular earnings are cut off because of death,accident, sickness, retirement, or unemployment, and (2) benefits to meetmedical expenses associated with illness or injury. The plans exclude workers’compensation required by statute and employer’s liability.

Government employees who are covered by plans underwritten by non-governmental organizations are included in the series, whether or not thegovernment unit contributes (as an employer) to the financing of the pro-gram. Specifically included here are plans providing government employeeswith group life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance,and hospital, surgical, regular medical, and major-medical expense insur-ance. Retirement and sick-leave plans for government employees, which arefinanced and administered directly by government, are excluded from theseries.

Coverage data are generally based on the number of active participants(those currently employed) and may include persons who have been tem-porarily laid off or retired. The practice of continuing coverage for a retiredworker is particularly prevalent in group life insurance. Many group life and

health plans permit a person on layoff to continue coverage in the group forthree to six months, and, in some cases, even longer. In addition, workers whohave terminated employment may carry vested pension rights; these personsare often included in the total coverage group. No attempt has been made tocorrect the coverage data for such limitations; therefore, the proportion thatcovered employees represent of all employed workers and the proportionthat contributions represent of aggregate payrolls are somewhat overstated.Nevertheless, long-run growth patterns for the various types of plans remainvalid.

Series Bf802. Group and wholesale life insurance coverage is based on datafrom the Institute of Life Insurance, Group Life Insurance and Group Annuity Cov-erage in the United States, annual issues, modified to exclude group plans notrelated to employment. It also excludes coverage under servicemen’s grouplife insurance plans. Self-insured death-benefit plan coverage is based ondata for various trade-union, mutual benefits association, and company-administered plans.

Series Bf803. Accidental death and dismemberment coverage is from HealthInsurance Association of America, Group Health Insurance Coverage in the UnitedStates, annual issues.

Series Bf804 and Bf806–807. Data on hospitalization, surgical, and regularmedical coverage are from Marjorie Smith Mueller and Paula A. Piro, “PrivateHealth Insurance in 1974: A Review of Coverage, Enrollment, and FinancialExperience,” Social Security Bulletin 39 (3) (1976): 3–20.; Health InsuranceAssociation of America, Group Health Insurance Coverage in the United States,


TABLE Bf802–813 Employee-benefit plans – estimated number of workers covered, by type of benefit: 1950–1975Continued

annual issues; and Health Insurance Institute, Source Book of Health InsuranceData (1975–1976). Data are modified to exclude participants not activelyemployed and to allow for duplication resulting from participation in morethan one plan, using benchmark data from a special household survey ofemployed workers conducted in conjunction with the April 1972 CurrentPopulation Survey. The data are adjusted to include employees covered bygroup comprehensive major-medical expenses insurance.

Series Bf804–805. Hospitalization coverage includes private hospital planswritten in compliance with state temporary disability insurance law inCalifornia, shown separately in series Bf805.

Series Bf808. Major medical expenses coverage represents coverage undergroup supplementary and comprehensive major-medical insurance under-written by commercial insurance carriers.

Series Bf809–810. Temporary disability and formal sick leave programs in-clude private plans written in compliance with state temporary disabilityinsurance laws in California, Hawai’i, New Jersey, and New York, shown sep-arately in series Bf810. The data are from A Survey of Accident and HealthCoverage in the United States (Health Insurance Council, 1950) and the HealthInsurance Association of America and Health Insurance Institute and areadjusted to exclude credit, accident, and health insurance. Data for 1950are modified slightly to adjust for the effect of state temporary disabilityinsurance laws on formal paid sick leave and self-insured plan coverage. Be-fore 1963, this series includes group long-term disability, which was minimalbefore that time.

Series Bf811. The long-term disability coverage series reported separately in1963 comes from Health Insurance Institute, Source Book of Health InsuranceData (1975–1976).

Series Bf812. Information on supplemental unemployment insurance isbased on trade-union and industry reports and “Financing SupplementalUnemployment Benefit Plans,” Monthly Labor Review, November 1969, anda 1976 survey of reports filed with the U.S. Department of Labor un-der the Welfare and Pension Plans Disclosure Act. The data exclude dis-missal wage and separation allowances, except when financed from sup-plemental unemployment benefit funds covering temporary and permanentlayoffs.

Series Bf813. Retirement coverage is estimated by the Social Security Ad-ministration from data furnished primarily by the Institute of Life Insuranceand the Securities and Exchange Commission. The data are adjusted forduplication resulting from participation in more than one plan and the vest-ing of benefits, using benchmark data from a special household survey ofemployed workers conducted in conjunction with the April 1972 CurrentPopulation Survey. The series includes pay-as-you-go and deferred profit-sharing plans, plans of nonprofit organizations, union pension plans, andrailroad plans supplementing the federal Railroad Retirement program. Itexcludes beneficiaries as well as pension plans for federal, state, and lo-cal government employees, tax-sheltered annuity plans, and plans for theself-employed.


TABLE Bf814–824 Employee-benefit plans – estimated employer and employee contributions, by type of benefit:1950–1975



Temporary andHealth benefits long-term disability

Accidental death Surgical and In complianceLife insurance and regular with state Supplemental

and death dismemberment Hospitalization medical Major medical temporary unemployment RetirementTotal benefits benefits Total benefits benefits benefits Total disability laws benefits benefits



1950 3,940 480 18 856 562 294 — 505 76 — 2,0801951 4,986 524 23 1,139 727 412 — 640 144 — 2,6601952 5,677 620 27 1,373 881 493 — 687 156 — 2,9701953 6,630 694 31 1,664 1,071 593 — 766 187 — 3,4751954 6,989 732 34 1,924 1,221 684 18 785 178 — 3,515

1955 7,857 881 43 2,194 1,385 770 39 859 179 40 3,8401956 8,911 1,002 50 2,595 1,603 898 94 914 177 125 4,2251957 10,042 1,077 57 2,996 1,806 1,021 169 1,023 217 170 4,7201958 10,521 1,179 61 3,286 1,945 1,076 266 1,049 232 125 4,8201959 11,715 1,292 66 3,774 2,230 1,187 357 1,098 233 125 5,360

1960 12,530 1,416 70 4,257 2,505 1,282 470 1,179 239 118 5,4901961 13,482 1,557 75 4,924 2,834 1,440 651 1,215 255 102 5,6101962 14,758 1,677 80 5,508 3,159 1,596 753 1,311 255 152 6,0301963 15,881 1,867 92 5,993 3,472 1,684 837 1,360 244 148 6,4201964 17,657 2,044 99 6,726 3,885 1,876 965 1,397 238 112 7,280

1965 19,919 2,233 116 7,520 4,333 2,109 1,078 1,574 258 116 8,3601966 21,683 2,376 131 8,042 4,547 2,300 1,195 1,754 280 130 9,2501967 23,419 2,538 142 8,549 4,703 2,552 1,294 1,897 311 113 10,1801968 26,889 2,937 169 10,076 5,539 2,915 1,621 2,333 342 125 11,2501969 30,569 3,222 190 11,595 6,341 3,363 1,890 2,702 399 110 12,750

1970 39,861 3,577 224 13,878 7,569 3,998 2,310 3,075 417 109 14,0001971 39,861 3,869 229 15,703 8,578 4,489 2,635 3,227 443 194 16,6401972 45,429 4,343 284 18,248 9,528 5,152 3,568 3,750 499 264 18,5401973 50,460 4,394 303 20,500 10,512 5,938 4,050 3,939 522 224 21,1001974 57,741 4,711 329 23,068 11,437 7,022 4,609 4,383 517 230 25,020

1975 67,302 5,089 331 27,087 13,273 8,162 5,652 4,704 580 240 29,850

SourceMartha Remy Yohalem, “Employee-Benefit Plans, 1975,” Social Security Bulletin38 (11) (1977): 23, and Alfred M. Skolnik, “Twenty-five Years of Employee-Benefit Plans,” Social Security Bulletin 39 (9) (1976): 8.

DocumentationSee the text for Table Bf802–813 for more information. See the parallel tableBf825–835 for data on benefits paid.

Employee-benefit plans have become the predominant way throughwhich most workers and their families obtain basic medical care protection,and they provide many services and protections not originally included. Theincreasing dollar amounts of benefits paid under employee-benefit plans,however, do not necessarily represent real gains – in terms of increased qual-ity of care and adequacy of protection provided – for individual employees.Some of the rise in aggregate expenditures is the result of growth in thenumber of employees and dependents covered, increased per unit cost ofproviding specific services and benefits, and increased utilization of services.

Measuring the magnitude of real gain in health care benefits is particu-larly difficult. See Herbert E. Klarman, Dorothy P. Rice, Barbara S. Cooper,and H. Louis Stettler III, Sources of Increase in Selected Medical Care Expenditures,1929–1969, Staff Paper number 4 (Social Security Administration, Officeof Research and Statistics, 1970). The utilization of medical and hospitalservices is influenced by a number of factors such as the age distribution ofthe workforce, variations in incidence of sickness, shifts in types of servicesused, and the tendency for private plans to provide supplemental rather thanbasic protection to the elderly, as the result of Medicare.

Series Bf815 and Bf826. Group and wholesale life insurance contributionsand benefits are based, respectively, on data from Institute of Life Insurance,

Group Life Insurance and Group Annuity Coverage in the United States (annual issues)and Institute of Life Insurance, Life Insurance Fact Book 1976. The data havebeen modified to exclude group and service plans not related to employment.Also excludes premiums for, and benefits paid under, servicemen’s grouplife insurance. Self-insured and unfunded death benefits are based on 1976survey of various trade-union, mutual benefit association, and company-administered and jointly administered plans filed with the U.S. Departmentof Labor under the Welfare and Pension Plan Disclosures Act.

Series Bf816 and Bf827. Accidental death and dismemberment contribu-tions and benefits are from Health Insurance Association of America, GroupHealth Insurance Coverages in the United States (annual issues) and unpublisheddata from the Institute of Life Insurance.

Series Bf818 and Bf829. Hospitalization contributions and benefits includeprivate hospital plans written in compliance with state temporary disabilityinsurance law in California.

Series Bf818–819 and Bf829–830. Information on the hospitalization andsurgical and regular medical contributions and benefits are from MarjorieSmith Mueller, “Private Health Insurance in 1975: Coverage, Enrollment, andFinancial Experience,” Social Security Bulletin 40 (6) (1977): 3–21; Health In-surance Association of America, Group Health Insurance Coverages in the UnitedStates (annual issues); and Marjorie Smith Mueller and Paula A. Piro, “Pri-vate Health Insurance in 1974,” Social Security Bulletin 39 (3) (1976): 3–20.In estimating contributions for, and benefits paid to, employees under plansother than group insurance and union and company plans, it was assumedthat the proportion of subscription income, and benefits attributable to, em-ployed groups increased gradually from 75 percent in 1950–60 to 85 percentin 1974.


TABLE Bf814–824 Employee-benefit plans – estimated employer and employee contributions, by type of benefit:1950–1975 Continued

Series Bf820 and Bf831. Major medical contributions and benefits repre-sent either premiums or benefits for group supplementary and comprehen-sive major-medical insurance underwritten by commercial insurance carriers.Data are from Health Insurance Association of America Group Health InsuranceCoverages in the United States (annual issues).

Series Bf821–822 and Bf832–833. Temporary disability contributions andbenefits are from Daniel N. Price, “Cash Benefits for Short-Term Sickness,”Social Security Bulletin 39 (7) (1976): 22–34 and from unpublished Social Se-curity Administration information. The data include private plans written incompliance with state temporary disability insurance laws in California, NewJersey, and New York (Hawai’i information not available), shown separatelyin series Bf822 and Bf833. This information includes contributions underlong-term disability plans, not available separately.

Series Bf823 and Bf834. Supplemental unemployment contributions andbenefits are based on trade union and industry reports, Emerson H. Beier,

“Financing Supplemental Unemployment Benefit Plans,” Monthly Labor Re-view 92 (11) (1969): 31–35, and a 1976 survey of reports filed with theDepartment of Labor under the Welfare and Pension Plans Disclosure Act.The data exclude dismissal wage and separation allowances, except when fi-nanced from supplemental unemployment benefit funds covering temporaryand permanent layoffs.

Series Bf824 and Bf835. Retirement data are estimated by the Social Secu-rity Administration from the data compiled in the American Council of LifeInsurance, Pension Facts 1976 and the Securities and Exchange Commission,1975 Survey of Private Noninsured Pension Funds. The data include benefits andcontributions paid under pay-as-you-go and deferred profit-sharing plans,plans of nonprofit organizations, union pension plans, and railroad planssupplementing the federal Railroad Retirement program. Excluded are bene-fits and contributions paid under plans for federal, state, and local employ-ees, under tax-sheltered annuity plans, and under plans for the self-employed.

TABLE Bf825–835 Employee-benefit plans – estimated benefits paid, by type of benefit: 1950–1975Contributed by Price V. Fishback and Melissa A. Thomasson


Temporary disabilitybenefits paid,

including formalHealth benefits sick leave

Accidental death Surgical and In complianceLife insurance and regular with state Supplemental

and death dismemberment Hospitalization medical Major medical temporary unemployment RetirementTotal benefits benefits Total benefits benefits benefits Total disability laws benefits benefits



1950 1,816 310 16 709 478 231 — 411 54 — 3701951 2,385 363 17 1,012 660 352 — 545 113 — 4501952 2,747 405 20 1,202 791 411 — 600 128 — 5201953 3,183 463 22 1,446 954 492 — 632 140 — 6201954 3,531 509 25 1,643 1,080 553 10 644 132 — 710

1955 4,076 582 26 1,903 1,242 637 24 715 135 — 8501956 4,829 650 31 2,320 1,495 758 67 824 151 5 1,0001957 5,595 779 37 2,722 1,714 877 131 897 178 20 1,1401958 6,275 851 42 3,055 1,893 929 233 902 184 135 1,2901959 7,000 919 43 3,464 2,108 1,024 332 960 190 75 1,540

1960 7,813 1,018 47 3,898 2,355 1,116 427 1,038 196 91 1,7201961 8,808 1,122 58 4,482 2,676 1,244 562 1,046 201 130 1,9701962 9,963 1,237 69 5,083 3,005 1,411 667 1,143 204 102 2,3301963 10,849 1,342 83 5,536 3,312 1,472 752 1,201 198 97 2,5901964 12,032 1,430 88 6,242 3,731 1,642 869 1,221 191 62 2,990

1965 13,567 1,550 90 7,012 4,161 1,848 1,004 1,333 198 62 3,5201966 14,966 1,707 97 7,428 4,312 1,980 1,136 1,462 208 82 4,1901967 16,295 1,899 101 7,837 4,389 2,142 1,306 1,549 222 119 4,7901968 19,234 2,137 121 9,415 5,289 2,468 1,658 1,927 252 105 5,5301969 22,224 2,385 129 10,984 6,128 2,934 1,922 2,177 281 100 6,450

1970 26,115 2,493 151 13,323 7,344 3,564 2,415 2,542 307 246 7,3601971 29,341 2,704 171 14,962 8,253 3,960 2,749 2,619 310 296 8,5901972 32,872 2,939 182 16,539 8,872 4,480 3,187 2,978 329 234 10,0001973 36,210 3,197 212 18,267 9,646 5,185 3,435 3,205 354 110 11,2201974 42,012 3,385 256 21,381 11,059 6,293 4,029 3,660 382 400 12,930

1975 47,887 3,563 286 24,929 13,064 7,404 4,461 3,799 401 500 14,810

SourcesMartha Remy Yohalem, “Employee-Benefit Plans, 1975,” Social Security Bulletin38 (11) (1977): 24, and Alfred M. Skolnik, “Twenty-five Years of Employee-Benefit Plans,” Social Security Bulletin 39 (9) (1976): 10.

DocumentationSee the text for Table Bf814–824 for a discussion of these series and the textfor Table Bf802–813 for additional information.


TABLE Bf836–853 Private pension and deferred profit-sharing plans – estimated coverage, contributions, reserves,beneficiaries, and payments: 1930–1970


Coverage Employer contributions Employee contributions

Total Insured plans Noninsured plans Total Insured plans Noninsured plans Total Insured plans Noninsured plans


Year Thousand Thousand Thousand Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars

1930 2,700 — — 130 — — 70 — —1935 2,700 — — 140 — — 90 — —1940 4,100 — — 180 — — 130 — —1945 6,400 — — 830 — — 160 — —

1950 9,800 2,600 7,200 1,750 720 1,030 330 200 1301951 11,000 2,900 8,100 2,280 820 1,460 380 210 1701952 11,700 3,200 8,500 2,540 910 1,630 430 240 1901953 13,200 3,400 9,800 2,990 1,010 1,980 485 260 2251954 14,200 3,600 10,600 3,000 1,030 1,970 515 270 245

1955 15,400 3,800 11,600 3,280 1,100 2,180 560 280 2801956 16,900 4,100 12,800 3,600 1,110 2,490 625 290 3351957 18,100 4,400 13,700 4,030 1,220 2,810 690 300 3901958 18,800 4,500 14,300 4,100 1,250 2,850 720 310 4101959 19,900 4,800 15,100 4,590 1,330 3,260 770 330 440

1960 21,200 4,900 16,300 4,710 1,190 3,520 780 300 4801961 22,200 5,100 17,100 4,830 1,180 3,650 780 290 4901962 23,100 5,200 17,900 5,200 1,240 3,960 830 310 5201963 23,800 5,400 18,400 5,560 1,390 4,170 860 300 5601964 24,600 6,000 18,600 6,370 1,520 4,850 910 310 600

1965 25,300 6,200 19,100 7,370 1,770 5,600 990 320 6701966 26,300 6,900 19,400 8,210 1,850 6,360 1,040 330 7101967 27,500 7,700 19,800 9,050 2,010 7,040 1,130 340 7901968 28,000 7,900 20,100 9,940 2,240 7,700 1,230 340 8901969 29,000 8,700 20,300 11,520 3,030 8,490 1,360 350 1,010

1970 29,700 9,300 20,400 12,580 2,860 9,720 1,420 350 1,070

(continued)

Reserves Monthly beneficiaries Benefit payments

Total Insured plans Noninsured plans Total Insured plans Noninsured plans Total Insured plans Noninsured plans


Year Billion dollars Billion dollars Billion dollars Thousand Thousand Thousand Million dollars Million dollars Million dollars

1930 0.8 — — 100 — — 90 — —1935 1.3 — — 110 — — 100 — —1940 2.4 — — 160 — — 140 — —1945 5.4 — — 310 — — 220 — —

1950 12.1 5.6 6.5 450 150 300 370 80 2901951 14.5 6.6 8.0 540 170 370 450 100 3501952 17.3 7.7 9.7 650 200 450 520 120 4001953 20.5 8.8 11.7 750 230 520 620 140 4801954 23.8 10.0 13.8 880 270 610 710 160 550

1955 27.5 11.3 16.1 980 290 690 850 180 6701956 31.4 12.5 18.9 1,090 320 770 1,000 210 7901957 36.1 14.1 22.1 1,240 370 870 1,140 240 9001958 40.9 15.6 25.2 1,400 430 970 1,290 290 1,0001959 46.6 17.6 29.1 1,590 500 1,090 1,540 340 1,200

1960 52.0 18.8 33.1 1,780 540 1,240 1,720 390 1,3301961 57.8 20.2 37.5 1,910 570 1,340 1,970 450 1,5201962 63.5 21.6 41.9 2,100 630 1,470 2,330 510 1,8201963 69.9 23.3 46.6 2,280 690 1,590 2,590 570 2,0201964 77.7 25.2 52.4 2,490 740 1,750 2,990 640 2,350

1965 86.5 27.3 59.2 2,750 790 1,960 3,520 720 2,8001966 95.5 29.3 66.2 3,110 870 2,240 4,190 810 3,3801967 106.2 31.9 74.2 3,410 930 2,480 4,790 910 3,8801968 117.8 34.8 83.1 3,770 1,010 2,760 5,530 1,030 4,5001969 127.8 37.2 90.6 4,180 1,070 3,110 6,450 1,160 5,290

1970 137.1 40.1 97.0 4,720 1,220 3,500 7,360 1,330 6,030

(continued)


TABLE Bf836–853 Private pension and deferred profit-sharing plans – estimated coverage, contributions, reserves,beneficiaries, and payments: 1930–1970 Continued

SourcesU.S. Social Security Administration, Social Security Bulletin 22 (4) (1959): 12;29 (4) (1966): 11; and 35 (4) (1972): 20. These series were compiled by theU.S. Social Security Administration from releases of the Institute of Life In-surance, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), U.S. Departmentof Labor, Internal Revenue Service, and various other reports, such as thoseof nonprofit organizations and the annual statements of the leading life in-surance companies writing group annuities. Information was also receivedfrom various industrial concerns. In addition, for the earlier years, M. W.Latimer’s studies were utilized; see M. W. Latimer, Industrial Pension Systems inthe United States and Canada (Industrial Relations Counselors, 1932).

DocumentationThese series present estimates with respect to formal private pension anddeferred profit-sharing plans. Included are plans covering employees of in-dustrial and nonprofit organizations. Most of them are funded, althoughsome of the noninsured plans are on a pay-as-you-go basis. The majority aresingle-employer plans with an increasing number of industry-wide or area-wide multiemployer plans.

Under insured plans, insurance carriers are the medium through whichbenefits are provided; sponsors of the plans pay premiums to these carriers.Under noninsured plans, the sponsors themselves perform the functions ofinsurance carriers.

Series Bf836–838. Excludes annuitants and potential members who havenot yet met the entrance requirements (age and/or service). Employees under

both insured and noninsured plans are included only once – under the insuredplans. The larger groups under insured plans are covered by group annuitycontracts, whereas individual-policy pension trusts cover smaller groups.

Series Bf839–844. Contributions to insured plans are on a net basis, withdividends and refunds deducted. Contributions to noninsured plans are, forthe most part, on a gross basis, refunds appearing as benefit payments.For pay-as you-go plans, contributions have been assumed to equal benefitpayments.

Series Bf846. Reserves for insured plans were furnished to the Social SecurityAdministration by the Institute of Life Insurance.

Series Bf847. Reserves for noninsured plans include those of corporate pen-sion plans, obtained from releases of the SEC. To these were added estimatedreserves of noninsured nonprofit organization and multiemployer plans.

Series Bf848–850. Covers those in receipt of periodic payments at the endof the year, thus excluding those receiving lump sums during the year.

Series Bf852. Net amounts.

Series Bf853. Payments for the noninsured plans were obtained by addingto the SEC data the estimated payments under formal pay-as-you-go plansand under noninsured multiemployer and nonprofit organization plans. Thedata from the SEC include lump sums and refunds from corporate pensionfunds (types not segregated). Therefore, dividing the payments for the year bythe mean number of beneficiaries results in an overstatement of the averageannual periodic payment.


TAB

LEB

f854

–863

Shor

t-te

rmdi

sabi

lity

prog

ram

s–

bene

fits

prov

ided

for

inco

me

loss

from

sick

ness

,by

type

ofin

sura

nce:

1948

–198

3C

ontr

ibut

edby

Pric

eV.

Fish

back

and

Mel

issa

A.T

hom

asso

n

Ben

efit

spr

ovid

edas

prot

ecti

onag

ains

tin

com

elo

ssfr

omsh

ort-

term

sick

ness

Gro

upbe

nefi

ts

Wor

kers

inpr

ivat

ein

dust

ry

Esti

mat

edin

com

elo

ssP

riva

teca

sh-s

ickn

ess

Sick

leav

efo

rO

ld-A

ge,S

urvi

vors

,and

from

nono

ccup

atio

nal

Thr

ough

indi

vidu

alin

sura

nce

and

Pub

licly

oper

ated

gove

rnm

ent

Dis

abili

tyIn

sura

nce

prog

ram

shor

t-te

rmsi

ckne

ssTo

tal

insu

ranc

eTo

tal

Tota

lse

lf-in

sura

nce

cash

-sic

knes

sfu

nds

Sick

leav

eem

ploy

ees

(six

thm

onth

ofdi

sabi

lity)

Bf8

54B

f855

Bf8

56B

f857

Bf8

58B

f859

Bf8

60B

f861

Bf8

62B

f863

Year

Mill

ion

dolla

rsM

illio

ndo

llars

Mill

ion

dolla

rsM

illio

ndo

llars

Mill

ion

dolla

rsM

illio

ndo

llars

Mill

ion

dolla

rsM

illio

ndo

llars

Mill

ion

dolla

rsM

illio

ndo

llars

1948

4,58

276

114

162

036

114

657

158

259

—19

494,

445

848

150

698

398

172

6216

430

0—

1950

4,81

694

215

378

947

423

163

180

315

—19

515,

494

1,15

315

799

660

634

461

201

390

—19

525,

834

1,30

417

71,

127

674

382

7521

845

3—

1953

6,16

31,

413

209

1,20

472

239

791

235

481

—19

546,

114

1,47

823

01,

248

747

399

103

245

500

—

1955

6,56

51,

620

250

1,37

082

544

210

927

354

5—

1956

7,05

21,

806

278

1,52

893

752

511

429

959

1—

1957

7,38

61,

958

307

1,65

11,

024

567

127

330

626

—19

587,

477

2,09

335

31,

740

1,04

455

614

134

669

6—

1959

7,74

92,

236

390

1,84

71,

123

601

164

359

724

—

1960

8,59

12,

430

393

2,03

71,

211

638

172

400

826

—19

618,

664

2,56

142

62,

135

1,24

162

619

542

089

4—

1962

9,65

32,

776

419

2,35

81,

355

671

212

472

1,00

3—

1963

10,2

132,

997

447

2,55

01,

445

675

244

526

1,10

5—

1964

10,2

963,

101

484

2,61

71,

485

716

264

505

1,13

3—

1965

11,3

333,

349

483

2,86

61,

602

767

269

566

1,26

4—

1966

12,2

683,

637

513

3,12

41,

735

843

273

619

1,38

9—

1967

12,8

443,

898

527

3,37

11,

834

869

285

680

1,53

7—

1968

14,5

854,

622

160

94,

013

2,24

71,

124

320

803

1,76

6—

1969

15,3

075,

104

635

4,46

92,

551

1,24

737

493

01,

918

—

1970

16,7

575,

888

694

5,19

42,

953

1,47

641

11,

066

2,24

2—

1971

17,1

466,

137

731

5,40

63,

030

1,48

941

11,

130

2,37

6—

1972

19,5

076,

874

772

6,10

23,

390

1,61

441

21,

364

2,71

2—

1973

21,0

597,

461

795

6,66

63,

650

1,73

644

61,

469

2,90

611

019

7421

,804

8,23

285

17,

381

4,14

42,

024

485

1,63

43,

107

130

1975

23,5

959,

003

973

8,03

04,

328

2,01

153

81,

779

3,54

216

019

7626

,447

9,81

988

18,

938

4,90

02,

267

581

2,05

23,

868

170

1977

28,2

2510

,559

940

9,61

95,

285

2,34

458

22,

359

4,14

519

019

7832

,811

11,7

511,

210

10,5

415,

782

2,40

360

92,

770

4,57

918

019

7936

,072

13,3

711,

322

12,0

496,

987

3,21

669

93,

072

4,89

217

0

1980

38,5

2914

,426

1,28

013

,146

7,63

33,

271

770

3,59

35,

337

175

1981

41,2

7815

,113

1,29

113

,822

8,01

12,

959

953

4,09

95,

640

170

1982

42,5

5816

,269

1,59

514

,674

8,49

82,

931

987

4,58

16,

026

150

1983

45,6

1516

,411

1,15

215

,259

8,61

52,

708

1,00

74,

899

6,49

015

7


1D

ata

inth

eor

igin

also

urce

have

been

corr

ecte

dor

revi

sed.

Sour

ces

Dan

ielN

.Pr

ice,

“Cas

hB

enef

itsfo

rSh

ort-

Term

Sick

ness

:Th

irty

Five

Year

sof

Dat

a,19

48–8

3,”

Socia

lSe

curit

yB

ulle

tin45

(5)

(198

6):5

–19.

Ane

wse

ries

usin

gdi

ffer

ent

met

hodo

logi

esw

asde

velo

ped

inth

e19

90s;

see

Tabl

eB

f864

–874

.

Doc

umen

tatio

nPr

otec

tion

agai

nstl

oss

ofea

rnin

gsin

perio

dsof

nono

ccup

atio

nald

isab

ility

ispr

ovid

edin

anu

mbe

rof

way

s.Fo

rwag

ean

dsa

lary

wor

kers

inpr

ivat

ein

dust

ry,t

hem

ostc

omm

onm

etho

dis

thro

ugh

grou

por

indi

vidu

alin

sura

nce

polic

ies

sold

byco

mm

erci

alin

sura

nce

com

pani

esth

atpa

yca

sham

ount

sdu

ring

spec

ifie

dpe

riods

ofdi

sabi

lity.

Empl

oyer

sm

ayal

sose

lf-in

sure

,pr

ovid

ing

eith

erca

shbe

nefi

tsor

paid

sick

leav

e.So

me

unio

ns,u

nion

man

agem

ent

trus

tfu

nds,

frat

erna

lsoc

ietie

s,an

dm

utua

lben

efit

asso

-ci

atio

nsal

sopa

yca

shdi

sabi

lity

bene

fits

.In

addi

tion,

empl

oyer

sof

ten

use

apa

id-s

ick

leav

epl

anto

supp

lem

ent

bene

fits

unde

rin

sura

nce

plan

s,an

dw

orke

rsm

ay,

asin

divi

dual

s,pu

rcha

sein

sura

nce

tosu

pple

men

tth

epr

otec

tion

prov

ided

thro

ugh

thei

rjo

bs.

Priv

ate

insu

red

prot

ectio

nm

aybe

obta

ined

thro

ugh

volu

ntar

yac

tion

byth

eem

ploy

eror

the

empl

oyee

,or

itm

ayco

me

abou

tas

the

resu

ltof

com

puls

ory

prog

ram

s.Fo

rfu

rthe

rdi

scus

sion

and

mor

ede

taile

din

form

atio

nse

eth

eor

igin

also

urce

.N

onoc

cupa

tiona

lsho

rt-t

erm

sick

ness

isde

fine

das

shor

t-te

rmor

tem

pora

ryno

n-w

ork-

conn

ecte

ddi

sabi

lity

(las

ting

not

mor

eth

ansi

xm

onth

s)an

dth

efi

rst

six

mon

ths

oflo

ng-t

erm

disa

bilit

y.

Beg

inni

ngin

1959

,the

data

are

adju

sted

tore

flec

tcha

nges

insi

ckne

ssex

perie

nce

(ave

rage

num

ber

ofda

ysof

disa

bilit

y),a

sre

port

edin

the

Hea

lthIn

terv

iew

Surv

eyof

the

Publ

icH

ealth

Serv

ice.

Inco

me

loss

was

estim

ated

bym

ultip

lyin

gth

ean

nual

payr

ollb

yes

timat

edav

erag

enu

mbe

rof

days

lost

asa

resu

ltof

sick

ness

and

divi

ding

byth

eav

erag

enu

mbe

rof

wor

kday

sin

the

year

.The

aver

age

days

lost

assu

med

forw

age

and

sala

ryw

orke

rsw

as7;

forf

eder

algo

vern

men

tem

ploy

ees

was

8;an

dfo

rsta

tean

dlo

calg

over

nmen

tem

ploy

eesw

as7.

5fo

r194

8–19

66,7

.35

for1

967,

7.2

for1

968,

and

7fo

r196

9–19

83;

and

for

self-

empl

oyed

was

7.Es

timat

edw

orkd

ays

wer

e25

5,26

0,25

5,an

d30

0,re

spec

tivel

y.Pa

yrol

lin

form

atio

nfo

rgr

oups

cam

efr

omth

eU

.S.

Dep

artm

ent

ofC

omm

erce

estim

ates

ofpa

yrol

lsan

dfo

rse

lf-em

ploy

edof

annu

alfa

rman

dno

nfar

mpr

oprie

tors

’inc

ome.

See

sour

cefo

rm

ore

deta

il.

Seri

esB

f855

.Th

esu

mof

serie

sB

f856

–857

and

Bf8

63.

Seri

esB

f857

.Th

esu

mof

serie

sB

f858

and

Bf8

62.

Seri

esB

f858

.Th

esu

mof

serie

sB

f859

–861

.

Seri

esB

f859

.Pr

ivat

eca

shsi

ckne

ssin

sura

nce

and

self-

insu

ranc

ein

clud

esa

smal

lbut

unde

term

ined

amou

ntof

grou

pdi

sabi

lity

insu

ranc

ebe

nefi

tspa

idto

gove

rnm

ent

wor

kers

and

tose

lf-em

ploy

edpe

r-so

nsth

roug

hfa

rm,t

rade

,or

prof

essi

onal

asso

ciat

ion.

Bf8

63.

Cal

cula

ted

bysu

btra

ctin

gse

ries

Bf8

58an

dB

f862

from

serie

sB

f857

.


BLE

Bf8

64–8

74Sh

ort-

term

disa

bilit

ypr

ogra

ms

–ca

shbe

nefi

tspr

ovid

edfo

rin

com

elo

ss,b

yty

peof

insu

ranc

e:19

70–1

994

Con

trib

uted

byPr

ice

V.Fi

shba

ckan

dM

elis

saA

.Tho

mas

son

Ben

efit

spr

ovid

edas

prot

ecti

onag

ains

tsh

ort-

term

inco

me

loss

Empl

oym

ent-

rela

ted

bene

fits

For

wor

kers

inpr

ivat

ese

ctor

Esti

mat

edto

tal

inco

me

loss

due

Old

-Age

,Sur

vivo

rs,

Pri

vate

Pub

licly

toin

jury

orill

ness

and

Dis

abili

tyIn

sura

nce

cash

-sic

knes

sop

erat

edSi

ckle

ave

for

for

wag

ean

dpr

ogra

m(s

ixth

Obt

aine

dth

roug

hin

sura

nce

and

cash

-sic

knes

sEm

ploy

men

t-re

late

dW

orke

rs’

gove

rnm

ent

sala

ryw

orke

rsTo

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TABLE Bf875–886 Health care expenditures, by source of funds: 1960—1997Contributed by Price V. Fishback and Melissa A. Thomasson

From private funds From public funds

Consumer payments By type of government By program

From private From publicOut of health funds besides

Total Total Total pocket insurance Other Total Federal State and local Medicaid Medicare Medicare and Medicaid


Million Million Million Million Million Million Million Million Million Million Million MillionYear dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars dollars

1960 26,850 20,203 18,945 13,067 5,878 1,258 6,648 2,914 3,734 0 0 6,6481961 28,768 21,466 20,015 13,373 6,642 1,450 7,302 3,327 3,976 0 0 7,3021962 31,268 23,291 21,603 14,227 7,376 1,688 7,977 3,787 4,190 0 0 7,9771963 34,067 25,343 23,537 15,537 7,999 1,807 8,724 4,231 4,493 0 0 8,7241964 37,647 28,290 26,198 17,252 8,946 2,093 9,356 4,460 4,896 0 0 9,356

1965 41,145 30,867 28,565 18,540 10,026 2,302 10,278 4,820 5,458 0 0 10,2781966 45,263 31,600 29,182 18,839 10,344 2,418 13,663 7,614 6,049 1,311 1,846 10,5061967 50,969 31,964 29,477 18,826 10,651 2,487 19,005 12,106 6,899 3,157 4,939 10,9091968 57,684 35,879 32,940 20,771 12,169 2,940 21,804 14,190 7,615 3,558 6,240 12,0061969 64,792 40,247 36,554 22,715 13,839 3,693 24,545 16,049 8,496 4,194 7,070 13,281

1970 73,243 45,537 41,184 24,901 16,283 4,353 27,706 17,816 9,890 5,316 7,700 14,6901971 81,018 49,829 44,960 26,405 18,555 4,869 31,189 20,403 10,786 6,728 8,470 15,9911972 90,943 55,808 50,296 28,989 21,307 5,512 35,135 22,974 12,161 8,350 9,360 17,4251973 100,838 61,550 55,892 31,954 23,938 5,658 39,288 25,199 14,089 9,463 10,778 19,0471974 114,265 67,667 61,656 34,837 26,818 6,012 46,597 30,575 16,022 11,116 13,485 21,996

1975 130,727 75,695 69,363 38,094 31,269 6,332 55,032 36,407 18,625 13,497 16,396 25,1391976 149,856 87,434 79,799 41,938 37,861 7,634 62,422 42,952 19,470 15,248 19,764 27,4101977 170,375 100,158 92,262 46,405 45,858 7,896 70,217 47,693 22,524 17,534 22,973 29,7101978 190,601 111,048 102,247 49,733 52,513 8,802 79,553 54,325 25,228 19,542 26,763 33,2481979 215,201 125,054 115,252 54,317 60,936 9,802 90,147 61,384 28,763 22,416 31,037 36,694

1980 247,273 142,493 130,011 60,254 69,758 12,482 104,780 71,958 32,823 26,135 37,516 41,1291981 286,908 165,715 150,677 68,492 82,185 15,039 121,193 83,711 37,482 30,378 44,883 45,9321982 322,978 188,397 170,852 75,448 95,404 17,545 134,581 93,038 41,543 32,117 52,470 49,9941983 355,291 207,746 188,480 82,319 106,162 19,266 147,545 103,126 44,419 35,333 59,761 52,4511984 390,077 229,938 210,057 90,857 119,200 19,880 160,139 113,207 46,932 38,249 66,446 55,444

1985 428,721 254,518 233,504 100,659 132,846 21,014 174,202 123,171 51,032 41,253 72,084 60,8651986 461,229 271,398 248,636 108,081 140,555 22,762 189,831 132,634 57,197 45,542 76,838 67,4511987 500,502 293,291 268,498 116,053 152,446 24,793 207,211 143,096 64,115 50,419 82,711 74,0811988 560,379 334,251 305,518 127,458 178,060 28,733 226,127 156,359 69,769 55,118 90,100 80,9091989 623,536 371,413 341,673 133,208 208,466 29,740 252,123 174,766 77,357 62,250 102,423 87,450

1990 699,361 416,187 384,587 145,032 239,554 31,601 283,174 195,181 87,993 75,373 111,496 96,3051991 766,783 448,859 415,072 153,335 261,737 33,787 317,923 222,550 95,374 93,942 121,138 102,8431992 836,537 483,553 447,247 161,758 285,490 36,306 352,984 251,759 101,225 106,370 136,164 110,4501993 898,496 513,172 473,850 167,051 306,800 39,322 385,323 275,353 109,970 121,748 148,702 114,8731994 947,717 524,908 483,610 168,502 315,109 41,298 422,810 301,171 121,638 134,592 166,883 121,335

1995 993,725 538,507 495,273 170,991 324,282 43,235 455,218 325,989 129,229 146,105 185,220 123,8931996 1,042,522 561,141 515,233 178,124 337,108 45,908 481,382 348,009 133,373 154,106 200,086 127,1901997 1,092,385 585,312 535,571 187,551 348,020 49,741 507,073 367,050 140,023 159,890 214,569 132,614

SourceInternet site of the Health Care Financing Administration, National HealthCare Expenditures. See also U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,Health Care Financing Administration, Office of Research and Demonstra-tions, Health Care Financing Review, Statistical Supplement (1998).

DocumentationSubstantially more detail on health care expenditures is available from thesource. For earlier sources using a different methodology and some differingcategories for the period 1929, 1935, 1940, 1945, 1950, 1955, 1960–1975,see Ida C. Merriam, “Social Welfare Expenditures, 1964–5,” Social Security Bul-letin 28 (10) (1965): 10, and Alfred M. Skolnik and Sophie R. Dales, “SocialWelfare Expenditures, Fiscal Year, 1974,” Social Security Bulletin 38 (1) (1935):15.

Since 1964, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services haspublished an annual series of statistics presenting total national health ex-penditures during each year. The basic aim of these statistics, termed na-tional health accounts (NHA), is to “identify all goods and services that canbe characterized as relating to health care in the nation, and determine the

amount of money used for the purchase of these goods and services” (D. Rice,B. Cooper, and R. Gibson, “U.S. National Health Accounts: Historical Per-spectives, Current Issues, and Future Projections,” in Emile Levy, editor, LaSanté Fait ses Comptes (Accounting for Health) (Economica, 1982)). The essentialframework for the accounts consists of a matrix of operational categoriesclassifying and defining the sources of health care dollars and services pur-chased with these funds. The NHA are compatible with the national incomeand product accounts generally, but bring together in one place a picture ofthe nation’s health economy.

Out-of-pocket expenditure includes direct spending by consumers for allhealth care goods and services. Included in this estimate is the amount paidout of pocket for services not covered by insurance, the amount of coin-surance and deductibles required by private health insurance and by publicprograms such as Medicare and Medicaid (and not paid by some other thirdparty), and the payment to providers for services and goods that exceed theusual, customary, or reasonable charges reimbursed by third parties. Enrolleepremiums for private health insurance and Medicare Supplementary Medi-cal Insurance (SMI) are not included with under out-of-pocket expenditures.

(continued)


TABLE Bf875–886 Health care expenditures, by source of funds: 1960—1997 Continued

Counting the cost of the premiums and the benefits that are paid by theinsurer would overstate the funding received by the provider of care. Simi-larly, coinsurance and deductible amounts paid by supplementary medigappolicies are excluded. For most services, out-of-pocket spending estimatesfor 1980 through 1989 are based on information from the consumer expen-diture (CE) survey conducted by the Department of Labor. Sources otherthan the CE are used for other categories.

Surveys of the non-institutional population’s health care use and financ-ing patterns have been conducted periodically over the past three decades.For 1963 and 1970, the Center for Health Administration Studies and theNational Opinion Research Center, both at the University of Chicago, sur-veyed individuals for the purpose of providing “reliable and valid statisticsof medical care use and expenditures for . . . public policy and research ac-tivities” (Research Triangle Institute, Benchmark Studies of the National HealthAccounts, HCFA contract number 500-86-0042, prepared for the HealthCare Financing Administration, March 1987). These studies were followedin 1977 by the National Medical Care Expenditure Survey (National Cen-ter for Health Services Research, Department of Health and Human Services:Data from the National Medical Care and Utilization Survey (1977)) and in 1980by the National Medical Care and Utilization Survey (National Center forHealth Statistics, Department of Health and Human Services: Data from the Na-tional Medical Care Utilization and Expenditure Survey (1980)). (Expenditure infor-mation from the national medical expenditure survey covering 1987 recentlybecame available. Data from this source will be integrated into the NHAduring the next benchmark revision.) These surveys have provided informa-tion used to determine the amount of out-of-pocket spending in historicalperiods.

At the NHE level, private health insurance expenditures equal the premi-ums earned by private health insurers. This figure is decomposed to benefitsincurred (personal health care expenditures) and net cost, the difference be-tween premiums and benefits. In addition to the traditional insurers such ascommercial carriers and Blue Cross and Blue Shield, the NHA category forprivate health insurance includes a number of other plans. Health mainte-nance organizations are included here, as are self-insured plans. Estimatesof private health insurance benefits by type of service were developed inconjunction with out-of-pocket spending. Both relied on periodic historicalsurveys to determine the relative share of private health insurance and out-of-pocket spending. Surveys by medical trade associations, the Visiting NurseAssociation, and the federal government augmented the person survey data.Estimates of total premiums earned by private health insurers are derivedfrom the data series on the financial experience of private health insuranceorganizations compiled and analyzed by the Health Care Financing Admin-istration (HCFA) (R. H. Arnett and G. Trapnell, “Private Health Insurance:New Measures of a Complex and Changing Industry. Health Care FinancingReview 6 (2) (1984)). Data for these estimates are furnished by the HealthInsurance Association of America, the National Underwriter Company, BlueCross and Blue Shield Association, Group Health Association of America,

and a survey of self-insured and prepaid health plans conducted by HCFA.These estimates are verified using the Bureau of Labor Statistics (1980–1990)employment cost index and CE survey.

Estimates of Medicare spending for health services and supplies are basedon information received from Medicare actuaries, reports submitted by Medi-care contractors, and administrative and statistical records. Medicaid esti-mates are based primarily on financial information reports filed by the stateMedicaid agencies on Form HCFA-64. These reports provide total programexpenditures and service distributions. Prior to the availability of the FormHCFA-64 in 1979, state statistical reports (Form HCFA-2082) were used todevelop service distributions. The federal share of Medicaid spending wastaken from federal budget outlay data (Executive Office of the President,1960–1991; Bureau of Government Financial Operations, 1960–1991) Forfurther information, see the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services Website. Several adjustments to reported program data are necessary to fit theestimates into the framework of the NHA. An estimate of Medicaid buy-insto Medicare is deducted to avoid double counting when the programs arepresented together. An estimate of hospital-based home health care spend-ing is added to hospital care expenditures and subtracted from home healthcare expenditures. That portion of reported program expenditures for inter-mediate care facilities for the mentally retarded estimated to cover servicesin hospital-based facilities (40 percent of the total) is counted as hospitalcare rather than nursing home care.

All health care expenditures that are channeled through any program es-tablished by public law are treated as a public expenditure in the NHA. Forexample, expenditures under workers’ compensation programs are includedwith government expenditures, even though they involve benefits paid byinsurers from premiums that have been collected from private sources. Simi-larly, premiums paid by enrollees for Medicare SMI are treated as public,rather than private, expenditure because payment of benefits is made bya public program. However, Medicare coinsurance and deductibles are in-cluded under out-of-pocket payments because they are paid directly by thebeneficiary to the provider of service.

To be included in the NHA, a program must have provision of care ortreatment of disease as its primary focus. For this reason, nutrition, sanita-tion, and antipollution programs are excluded. Another example of this is“Meals on Wheels,” which is excluded from the NHA because it is viewed as anutrition program rather than a health service program. Statistics on federalprogram expenditures are based, in part, on data reported by the budgetoffices of federal agencies. Several differences exist from spending reportedin the federal budget because of the conceptual framework on which theNHA are based.

Series Bf875. The sum of series Bf876 and Bf881.


Series Bf881. The sum of series Bf882–883. It is also the sum of seriesBf884–886.


TABLE Bf887–892 Private health insurance – persons insured, by type ofinsurer: 1940–1995


By insurance companiesBlue Cross

Group Individual/family and BlueTotal Total policies policies Shield plans Other plans

Bf887 Bf888 Bf889 Bf890 Bf891 Bf892

Year Million Million Million Million Million Million

1940 12.0 3.7 2.5 1.2 6.0 2.31945 32.0 10.5 7.8 2.7 18.9 2.71950 76.6 37.0 22.3 17.3 38.8 4.41955 101.4 53.5 38.6 19.9 50.7 6.5

1960 122.5 69.2 54.4 22.2 58.1 6.01961 125.8 70.4 56.1 22.4 58.7 7.11962 129.4 72.2 58.1 23.1 60.1 6.91963 133.5 74.5 61.5 23.5 61.0 7.21964 136.3 75.8 63.1 34.0 62.1 6.8

1965 138.7 77.6 65.4 24.4 63.3 7.01966 142.4 80.4 67.8 24.9 54.3 6.61967 146.4 82.6 71.5 24.6 67.2 7.11968 151.9 85.7 74.1 25.3 70.1 7.31969 155.0 88.8 77.9 25.9 82.7 7.7

1970 158.8 89.7 80.5 26.7 85.1 8.11971 161.8 91.5 80.6 27.8 76.5 8.51972 164.1 93.7 81.5 29.1 78.2 8.11973 168.5 94.5 83.6 27.5 81.3 9.61974 173.1 97.0 85.4 28.8 83.8 11.1

1975 178.2 99.5 87.2 30.1 86.4 13.11976 176.9 97.0 86.8 27.0 86.6 14.91977 179.9 100.4 89.2 28.7 86.0 18.11978 185.7 106.0 92.5 36.1 85.8 21.51979 185.7 104.1 94.1 34.4 86.1 25.51980 187.4 105.5 97.4 33.8 86.7 33.2

1981 186.2 105.9 103.0 25.3 85.8 40.31982 188.3 109.6 103.9 29.4 82.0 48.21983 186.6 105.9 104.6 22.2 79.6 53.61984 184.4 103.1 103.0 20.4 79.4 54.4

1985 181.3 100.4 99.5 21.2 78.7 55.11986 180.9 98.2 106.6 12.1 78.0 64.91987 1 179.7 96.7 106.1 10.4 76.9 66.91988 1 182.3 92.6 100.5 10.7 74.0 71.31989 2 182.5 88.9 98.7 10.0 72.5 78.6

1990 2 181.7 83.1 88.7 10.2 70.9 86.21991 181.0 78.0 83.3 9.9 68.1 93.51992 180.7 76.6 82.1 8.5 67.5 97.91993 180.9 74.7 80.9 7.4 65.9 105.71994 182.2 75.8 82.4 7.0 65.2 112.9

1995 185.3 76.6 83.3 7.0 65.6 120.1

1 Revised Health Insurance Association of America survey form.2 Change in methodology.

SourceSource Book of Health Insurance Data (1998), Table 2.10, p. 39.

DocumentationThis table reports information collected by the Health Insurance Associationof American on the number of privately insured Americans covered throughcommercial insurance companies, through Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans,and under other types of policies such as health maintenance organizationsand other managed care plans.

Series Bf887–888. Refers to the net total of persons protected so that du-plication among persons protected by more than one insuring organizationor more than one policy providing the same type of coverage has been elim-inated.

Series Bf887. Excludes hospital indemnity coverage that may have beenincluded in prior editions. For 1975 and later, data include the number ofpersons covered in Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories and possessions.