The right to social security is recognized as a human right and is closely linked with the right to an adequate standard of living and other economic, social, and cultural rights[2][3]. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognizes the right to social security in Article 22, which states that “Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality”[2][3][6].
The right to social security encompasses the right to access and maintain benefits without discrimination in order to secure protection from a lack of work-related income caused by sickness, disability, maternity, employment injury, unemployment, old age, or death of a family member, unaffordable health care, and other circumstances that deprive individuals of their capacity to fully realize their human rights[1][2]. Social security plays an important role in reducing and alleviating poverty, preventing social exclusion, and promoting social inclusion[1]. Social pensions are a critical element of the right to social security for older persons whose human rights enjoyment is endangered without an adequate social pension. Older women are especially at risk, as they live longer, and the unpaid care work they perform throughout their life obstructs their ability to access formal employment and therefore contributory social security[1].
To be eligible for most types of social security benefits, individuals must meet certain requirements, such as having earned an average of one work credit for each type of benefit[5].
Citations:
[1] https://www.ohchr.org/en/social-security/about-right-social-security-and-human-rights
[2] https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/05/25/questions-and-answers-right-social-security
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_to_social_security
[4] https://www.escr-net.org/rights/social-security
[5] https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/text-entitle-ussi.htm
[6] https://standup4humanrights.org/layout/files/30on30/UDHR70-30on30-article22-eng.pdf