Introduction: an overview of the Social Security program, 1935-2006 -- The creation of Social Security in America -- The first controversy over financing and the creation of family benefits, 1935-1939 -- Political struggles over Social Security in the 1940s and program expansion in 1950 -- Extending coverage and benefits, 1951-1965 -- Enlarging the program and indexing benefits to the rate of inflation, 1966-1972 -- The second controversy over financing and the 1977 Social Security amendments, 1973-1977 -- The third controversy over financing and the Social Security amendments of 1983 -- Disability benefits in the 1980s -- The fourth controversy over financing and the battle over privatization, 1983-2006.