Definitions for "Social Insurance"
A type of income security program in which participants make regular payments into a fund from which they receive benefits if the risk covered by the insurance occurs. These programs follow the insurance principle of shared risk. Many will contribute with the understanding that not all will necessarily need to access the benefits of the program. Insurance based programs are generally tied to work, so for example, all workers will contribute and only those who contribute become eligible for benefits should the need arise. Employment Insurance and the Canada/Quebec Pension Plan are social insurance programs.
government provision for unemployed or injured or aged; financed by contributions from employers and employees as well as by government revenue
Government programs designed to provide benefits to consumers not currently sewed by commercial insurers, usually compulsory.