Question 1

The greatest growth of social policies that benefit older people came in the:
A) 1930s.
B) 1960s.
C) 1980s.
D) 1990s.

Accepted Answer

The greatest growth of social policies that benefit older people came in the 1960s with the introduction of programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, as well as increased Social Security benefits. The 1930s saw the creation of Social Security, but it did not yet fully benefit older adults as it does today. The 1980s and 1990s did not see as significant advancements in social policies for older people.

Question 2

Which of the following does not characterize the politics of the "New Aging"?
A) an intergenerational perspective
B)the diversity of the older population
C) an age-based perspective on services
D) a concern for future generations

Accepted Answer

The politics of the New Aging do not prioritize an age-based perspective on services, but rather recognize the diversity of the older population and take an intergenerational approach to policy-making while also considering future generations.

Question 3

Most federal programs for children are:
A) discretionary and means-based.
B) categorical (age-based) and universal.
C) direct cash transfers.
D) indirect cash benefits.

Accepted Answer

Most federal programs for children are discretionary, meaning they are subject to annual review and approval by Congress, and means-based, meaning they are designed to assist those with financial need.

Question 4

Contrary to public perception, Social Security was designed to be:
A) an investment program.
B) a minimum floor of protection.
C) a sole source of retirement income.
D) none of the above.

Accepted Answer

Social Security was designed to be a minimum floor of protection for retired workers, their survivors, and individuals with disabilities. It was not intended to be an investment program, nor is it intended to be the sole source of retirement income.

Question 5

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits the population on a(n) ________ basis.
A) direct cash substitute
B) indirect cash substitute
C) universal
D) non-contributory

Accepted Answer

SSI benefits are non-contributory, meaning they are funded by general tax revenues and not based on the beneficiary's prior contributions to the program.

Question 6

Which of the following groups would benefit the most if Social Security is privatized?
A) high-income, unmarried workers
B) federal government
C) low-income workers
D) women workers

Accepted Answer

High-income unmarried workers would benefit the most if Social Security is privatized because they have more resources to invest in high-growth investment options, which could yield higher returns than the current system. Additionally, they are less likely to face financial challenges in retirement and can afford to take on more risk. Conversely, low-income workers and women workers might not benefit from privatization due to limited resources and systemic inequalities that impact their ability to save and invest. The federal government would not necessarily benefit from privatization as it would likely result in a loss of revenue from payroll taxes.

Question 7

Most federal policies that benefit the older population are:
A) categorical (age-based) and means-tested.
B) categorical and universal for all older people.
C) direct cash transfers on the basis of means-tests.
D) noncontributory and categorical.

Accepted Answer

Most federal policies that benefit the older population are categorical, meaning they focus solely on a specific age group (older individuals), and universal, meaning that they are available to all older people regardless of their means or income. Examples include Social Security, Medicare, and the Older Americans Act. These programs do not require means-testing or direct cash transfers. Noncontributory policies, which are based on a person's lack of contribution to the program (e.g. welfare), are not commonly used in programs for the elderly.

Question 8

Which of the following viewpoints is not advanced by supporters of the intergenerational inequity perspective?
A) Younger people will not receive fair returns for their Social Security investments.
B) Older and younger people have both been hard hit by inflation.
C) Older adults are draining the federal budget.
D) Children are poorer than older people are.

Accepted Answer

The intergenerational inequity perspective focuses on the disparities between different age groups, particularly in terms of economic and social resources. It argues that older adults may be receiving a disproportionate amount of resources (e.g., through Social Security), which could be at the expense of younger generations. However, it does not typically argue that both older and younger people have been equally affected by inflation, which is a more general economic condition not specific to intergenerational equity issues.

Question 9

The public policy perspective that views older citizens as a national resource is known as:
A) the politics of productivity.
B) the politics of entitlement.
C) intergenerational inequity.
D) interdependence of generations.

Accepted Answer

The politics of productivity views older citizens as a valuable national resource, emphasizing their potential contributions to society rather than seeing them merely as recipients of benefits or services.

Question 10

During the beginning of the 21ˢᵗ century, American public policies reflected an emphasis on:
A) costs.
B) population dynamics.
C) political ideology.
D) intergenerational inequity.

Accepted Answer

During the beginning of the 21st century, American public policies reflected an emphasis on political ideology. There was a divide between conservatives and liberals on issues such as healthcare, education, and foreign policy. This was reflected in the policies implemented during this time period.

Question 11

A basic assumption underlying the intergenerational inequity framework is that:
A) older adults are financially better off than other age groups.
B) significant distribution choices must be made about how to pay the costs of an aging society.
C) the younger generation only benefits from Social Security when they live long enough to retire.
D) our society needs to achieve equity or fairness between generations.

Accepted Answer

The intergenerational inequity framework focuses on the distribution of resources and costs across different generations, particularly in the context of an aging society, where decisions must be made about how to allocate financial responsibilities.

Question 12

A negative consequence of "compassionate ageism" in American public policy was/were:
A) programs that benefit all elders, including healthy and wealthy.
B) inadequate funds remaining for children's programs.
C) emerging stereotypes of older populations as "greedy geezers" .
D) too much funding for low income and minority elders.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A negative consequence of "compassionate ageism" in...

Question 13

Which of the following is not one of the Social Security Trust Funds?
A) Old Age and Survivors Insurance
B) Military Personnel Insurance
C) Disability Insurance
D) Hospital Insurance

Accepted Answer

The Social Security Trust Funds include Old Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI), Disability Insurance (DI), and Hospital Insurance (HI) also known as Medicare Part A. Military Personnel Insurance is not a part of the Social Security Trust Funds.

Question 14

Pension plans have helped improve the economic status of many older Americans. They have also resulted in:
A) eliminating income disparities among groups of older persons.
B) perpetuating inequities between male and female workers.
C) reducing the need for Social Security income for many elders.
D) reducing the need for employee health benefits.

Accepted Answer

Pension plans have perpetuated inequities between male and female workers because historically, many pension plans were designed to benefit male workers, who were often the primary breadwinners of their families. This has left female workers, who often had interrupted work histories due to caregiving responsibilities, at a disadvantage in terms of pension benefits.

Question 15

The agency responsible for administering the programs and services of the Older Americans Act is the:
A) Social Security Division.
B) Leadership Council on Aging.
C) Federal Council on Aging.
D) Administration on Aging.

Accepted Answer

The Administration on Aging (AoA) is the agency responsible for administering the programs and services of the Older Americans Act (OAA). The AoA is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and works to promote the well-being and independence of older adults through a variety of programs and services.

Question 16

Until the 1960s, public policy for older Americans lagged behind other countries because:
A) our current older population is so small.
B) families have traditionally cared for their older relatives.
C) our culture places a high value on independence and self-reliance.
D) our older population has not needed assistance until recently.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Until the 1960s, public policy for older...

Question 17

Which of the following societal values has not influenced the development of public policy for aging Americans?
A) Individual welfare is the person's own responsibility.
B) The community should help with individual welfare.
C) Citizens are universally entitled to have their needs met.
D) The government should help only as needed.

Accepted Answer

The concept that citizens are universally entitled to have their needs met has not significantly influenced the development of public policy for aging Americans. Instead, policies often reflect a mix of individual responsibility, community support, and limited government intervention.

Question 18

Since the 1960s, entitlement programs have taken up more and more of the federal budget, so that today they represent ________ percent of federal spending.
A) 15
B) 30
C) 40
D) 60

Accepted Answer

Entitlement programs represent 40% of federal spending.

Question 19

New proposals to privatize Social Security are characterized by:
A) increased government regulation.
B) expectations that the government will wisely invest Social Security funds.
C) a greater shift toward the philosophy of social insurance.
D) expectations that individuals can invest more wisely than the government.

Accepted Answer

New proposals for privatization of Social Security suggest that individuals can invest their funds more wisely than the government. This is based on the idea that individuals have more control over their own investments and are more likely to make informed investment decisions. This represents a shift away from the philosophy of social insurance, which emphasizes the role of government in providing for the social welfare of citizens.

Question 20

Which of the following public policy models of aging is not related to the paradigm of "New Aging"?
A) interdependence of generations
B) intergenerational equity
C) politics of diversity
D) politics of entitlement

Accepted Answer

The politics of entitlement is not related to the paradigm of "New Aging" which focuses on interdependence of generations, intergenerational equity, and politics of diversity. The politics of entitlement refers to policies and programs that give benefits to seniors based on their past contributions such as Social Security and Medicare in the US. This model is more associated with the traditional approach to aging rather than the new approach.

Quiz 16: Social Policies to Address Social Problems

The greatest growth of social policies that benefit older people came in the:

Which of the following does not characterize the politics of the "New Aging"?

Most federal programs for children are:

Contrary to public perception, Social Security was designed to be:

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits the population on a(n) ________ basis.

Which of the following groups would benefit the most if Social Security is privatized?

Most federal policies that benefit the older population are:

Which of the following viewpoints is not advanced by supporters of the intergenerational inequity perspective?

The public policy perspective that views older citizens as a national resource is known as:

During the beginning of the 21ˢᵗ century, American public policies reflected an emphasis on:

A basic assumption underlying the intergenerational inequity framework is that:

A negative consequence of "compassionate ageism" in American public policy was/were:

Which of the following is not one of the Social Security Trust Funds?

Pension plans have helped improve the economic status of many older Americans. They have also resulted in:

The agency responsible for administering the programs and services of the Older Americans Act is the:

Until the 1960s, public policy for older Americans lagged behind other countries because:

Which of the following societal values has not influenced the development of public policy for aging Americans?

Since the 1960s, entitlement programs have taken up more and more of the federal budget, so that today they represent ________ percent of federal spending.

New proposals to privatize Social Security are characterized by:

Which of the following public policy models of aging is not related to the paradigm of "New Aging"?