Which term refers to payments that society recognizes as a right, such as Social Security?

• A. Entitlements
• B. Subsidy
• C. Civil liberties
• D. Bipartisanship

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is entitlements. Entitlements are programs that guarantee benefits to anyone who meets statutory criteria, so the government is obligated to pay. Social Security fits this precisely: workers earn eligibility through payroll taxes, and once they reach the required age or disability status, they automatically receive benefits. Because eligibility is set by law, these payments are treated as mandatory spending and aren’t tied to annual appropriations.

This differs from a subsidy, which is a payment intended to encourage certain activities or support particular groups, rather than a guaranteed right. Civil liberties are fundamental rights protected from government interference, not payment programs. Bipartisanship refers to cooperation across political parties, not a type of payment. So the term that best describes payments society recognizes as a right, like Social Security, is entitlements.