when social security started how were farmers covered

Social Security began with the Social Security Act signed on August 14, 1935. Farmers were mostly not covered at first because the original old-age insurance program focused on wage workers in covered jobs, not self-employed farm operators.

How farmers fit in

• Self-employed farmers were excluded from the original payroll-tax system, so they did not pay in as covered workers and did not earn benefits that way.

• Many farm laborers were also left out in the early program because Social Security initially covered only certain kinds of employment.

• Coverage expanded later as Congress amended the law over time, gradually bringing in more workers, including some agricultural workers and eventually self-employed farmers under specific rules.

Why they were left out

The first Social Security design was built around payroll contributions from employers and employees in regular wage jobs. Farming was harder to fit into that model because many farmers were self-employed, seasonal, or worked in family operations rather than traditional covered employment.

Practical effect

For an early farmer, the main answer is: no, they generally were not covered the way factory or office workers were in 1935. Over time, the system changed, and farm coverage became broader through later amendments and special rules.

Brief timeline

1. 1935: Social Security is created, but farm operators are largely outside the original coverage.

2. Later amendments: Congress expands coverage step by step.

3. Over the long run: more agricultural workers and self-employed farmers become included under revised rules.

TL;DR

When Social Security started, farmers were mostly not covered unless they fit later-expanded categories; the original program was aimed mainly at wage earners in covered employment.