Rebel-Yell Wrote:Is there really a difference in what Social Security means compared to Welfare? I'm not a native english speaker, but my dictionary gives the same translation for both. ...

You have already received other reasonable answers, but I have to answer.

It is not a language translation matter. It is a matter of National perceptions and experience.

Most Euopean countries have enacted a comprehensive program of Social Services which provide many services from pre-natal health care to nursing homes for the eldery for the welfare of their populations. Meanwhile the USA exists with a patchwork "safety net" for those who fall out of the free-market economy; responsibility & costs are divided between the Federal (Central) government and state governments.

In the US, Social Security is a specific Federal program started in the 1930's focussing on retirement and disability. However, "welfare" is a generic (vs slang) term which covers all sorts of programs -- including both public assistance through a government office and private charities such as "food banks" and soup kitchens.

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The Social Security Edict was added to Tropico by Paradise Island in response to the gameplay problem of dealing with Retiree and Student housing. It clearly had no intent to include the Unemployed - the player had to make jobs for them or get them to leave.