social insurance

noun

: protection of the individual against economic hazards (such as unemployment, old age, or disability) in which the government participates or enforces the participation of employers and affected individuals

Examples of social insurance in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The largest revenue sources last month were individual income taxes, social insurance and retirement payroll taxes, and corporate income taxes. arkansasonline.com, 11 July 2025 From unemployment to disease or disability, the problems of citizens were seen as risks largely beyond individual control, with governments required to step in and manage those risks collectively through broad programs of social insurance. Pierre Rosanvallon, Foreign Affairs, 14 Dec. 2015 In the long term, China needs a stronger national system of social insurance—in particular, more spending on public health and a better system of unemployment insurance—that is financed by higher progressive income taxes collected by the central government. Brad Setser, Foreign Affairs, 30 Aug. 2022 That social insurance program ensured an income for older Americans, plus unemployment insurance and programs to help children, elders and blind people. Kat McGowan, NPR, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for social insurance

Word History

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of social insurance was in 1890

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Cite this Entry

“Social insurance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/social%20insurance. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

Legal Definition

social insurance

noun
: insurance of the individual against certain hazards (as unemployment, old age, and disability) that is undertaken, facilitated, or enforced by government

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