This is the first in a Series of five manuals produced by the Social Security Department of the ILO to provide the reader with information on all the major elements of social security, including the principles, administration, financing, pension schemes and social health insurance. This manual provides an introduction to social security, explaining what social security is and who it protects. It also takes a look at the range of benefits provided by social security schemes, explains briefly how those schemes are financed and administered, and deals with International Labour Standards in relation to social security issues. Other manuals in this series: - Administration of social security (Vol. II) - Social security financing (Vol. III) - Pension schemes (Vol. IV) - Social health insurance (Vol. V)