What is the main government program that assists retired individuals with income?

Social Security is the primary government program designed to assist retired individuals by providing them with a stable source of income after they stop working. It functions as a social insurance program, which means that workers pay into it during their working years through payroll taxes. Once they reach retirement age, they can then collect benefits based on their earnings history and the amount contributed to the system. This income helps to ensure that retirees have financial support to cover basic living expenses.

While Medicare provides health insurance for those over 65, and food assistance programs help ensure access to nutrition for low-income families, they do not specifically provide income for retirees. Unemployment benefits, on the other hand, assist individuals who are temporarily out of work due to job loss, not those who have retired. Thus, Social Security is the correct answer as it directly addresses the financial needs of retired individuals.