Which of the following statements about the Social Security Act is NOT true?

1. It was based on a progressive tax that took a larger percentage of higher incomes.

2. It provided old-age pensions.

3. It was, according to Roosevelt, the “supreme achievement” of the New Deal.

4. It committed the national government to a broad range of welfare activities.

5. It was a regressive tax that pinched the poor more than the rich.

I would say 5

To determine which statement about the Social Security Act is NOT true, let's examine each statement one by one.

1. The statement that the Social Security Act was based on a progressive tax that took a larger percentage of higher incomes is true. The Act was funded through a payroll tax, which is collected as a percentage of income. As income increases, the amount of tax paid also increases proportionally, making it a progressive tax.

2. The statement that the Social Security Act provided old-age pensions is true. One of the main provisions of the Act was the establishment of a national system of old-age benefits, commonly known as Social Security, which provides pensions to eligible retired individuals.

3. The statement that the Social Security Act was considered the "supreme achievement" of the New Deal by President Roosevelt is true. President Franklin D. Roosevelt himself regarded the Social Security Act as a significant accomplishment and a cornerstone of his administration's efforts to address the economic challenges of the Great Depression.

4. The statement that the Social Security Act committed the national government to a broad range of welfare activities is true. In addition to old-age pensions, the Act also provided for unemployment insurance, aid to dependent children, and assistance for individuals with disabilities. It established a framework for a comprehensive social welfare system.

5. The statement that the Social Security Act was a regressive tax that pinched the poor more than the rich is NOT true. As mentioned earlier, the Act was funded through a progressive tax, with higher-income individuals paying a larger percentage of their income. This means that the tax burden is higher for those with more income, which counters the definition of a regressive tax that disproportionately affects lower-income individuals.

Therefore, based on the analysis, statement number 5 is the one that is NOT true.