This set of materials for high school students explains the Social Security system. It consists of five lessons and an overview lesson that may be taught separately. To support the lessons, a videotape, fact sheets, student handouts, and quizzes are included. Handouts are in large print and are suitable for use as black line masters for transparencies or overhead projectors. Lessons are titled: (1) "Toward the General Welfare: Social Security from the Depression to Today"; (2) "What Makes Social Security Work? The Basic Principles Underlying the Program"; (3) "Will Social Security Be There When I'm Ready To Retire? How the Program Is Financed To Pay Benefits Now and in the Future"; (4) "Who Can Get Social Security Benefits and How? Social Security Is More Than Retirement"; and (5) "Using Social Security in Planning for the Future: Social Security as a Financial Planning Tool." The overview lesson also includes suggested teaching strategies. (Contains selected general references and separate references for each lesson.) (BT)