Social Security is a contemporary topic that exemplifies a social issue-centered approach to social studies, one that allows students to get beyond the school walls to analyze a contemporary topic that ultimately affects virtually everyone. In this article, the authors provide a brief history of Social Security, describe how it is funded and works, and discuss its current dilemma. They also include a lesson plan which combines historical analysis through the use of Internet sources and structured classroom discussion based on the Socratic seminar technique. Their purpose is to help teachers develop engaging lessons based on a significant social issue with future personal implications for the students.