The federal government's Social Security program, which pays benefits to older members of society but not to younger members of society, is lawful as examined by a(n)________ test.
A)rational basis
B)intermediate scrutiny
C)strict scrutiny
D)due process

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Social Security program is a government program which may be subject to challenge under the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, but the Supreme Court has consistently upheld the program as being constitutional because it serves a legitimate government interest (providing financial assistance for the elderly) and there is a rational basis for limiting the benefits to those who have reached a certain age. The rational basis test is the lowest level of scrutiny used by courts in analyzing equal protection claims, and it asks whether the government's classification in the law has a rational relationship to a legitimate government interest. In this case, the government's interest in providing financial assistance to the elderly is considered legitimate, and there is a rational basis for distinguishing between the elderly and the non-elderly due to differences in their economic circumstances and ability to work.

The Federal Government's Social Security Program, Which Pays Benefits to Older