Social Security—formally the Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) program—is an integral
part of the nation’s social safety net. In the event of disability, death or retirement, Social Security benefits are
available to a worker and/or to the worker’s dependents.
Social Security benefits are often the only source of income for African Americans, especially for retirees. For two of every five African American retiree households age 65
or older, Social Security benefits are the only source of support.