Rex is right as is the portion of post below. What they did prior to 1937 IF
there was no extended family to take care of the infirm was, they were sent
to the County Poor Farm or the Asylum. I still remember the Poor Farm we
passed going to town from our farm. We were also Poor but didn't realize it
because most everyone else was in the same condition. "Great Depression
Era". Standards for "being poor" have greatly changed.

Walt Conner

It's funny...Bill Clinton outlined a program during his administration
where
a small portion of the supposed SS Trust Fund would be invested in mutual
funds. I don't recall mass protests at the time.