Document: 420 U.S. 636 95 S.Ct. 1225 43 L.Ed.2d 514 Caspar W. WEINBERGER, Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, Appellant,v.Stephen Charles WIESENFELD, etc. No. 73—1892. Argued Jan. 20, 1975. Decided March 19, Syllabus The gender-based distinction mandated by the provisions Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 402(g), that grant survivors' benefits based on earnings a deceased husband father covered Act both to his widow couple's minor children in her care, but wife mother only not widower, violates right equal protection secured Due Process Clause Fifth Amendment, since it unjustifiably discriminates against female wage earners required pay social security taxes affording them less for their survivors than is provided male earners. Pp. 642-653. (a) an 'archaic overbroad' generalization tolerated under Constitution, namely, workers' are vital families' support, while do significantly contribute support. Frontiero v. Richardson, 411 677, 93 1764, L.Ed. 884. 642-643. (b) That 'noncontractual' compensate work performed or necessarily correlate with contributions program, cannot sanction solely differential employees. Since depend upon employee's participation force, employees others toward system, must be distributed according classifications differentiate among basis sex. 646-647. (c) Since, as apparent from statutory scheme itself 402(g)'s legislative history, purpose providing young widows was not, Government contends, provide income women who, because economic discrimination, were unable themselves, permit elect devote themselves case (and thus premised any special disadvantage women), serve justify diminishing afforded who work. 648-652. 367 F.Supp. 981, affirmed. Keith A. Jones, Washington, D.C., appellant. Ruth Bader Ginsburg, New York City, appellee. Mr. Justice BRENNAN delivered opinion Court. 1 payable, some limitations, care. 202(g) amended, 402(g).1 Such payable however, widower. question this whether Amendment.2 2 A three-judge District Court Jersey held different treatment men 402(g) discriminated 991 (1973). noted probable jurisdiction, 419 822, 38, 45 (1974). We affirm. 3 * Appellee Stephen C. Wiesenfeld Paula Polatschek married November 15, 1970. Paula, worked teacher five years before marriage, continued teaching after marriage. Each year she worked, maximum deducted salary.3 Paula's principal source support during being substantially larger those appellee.4 4 On June 5, 1972, died childbirth. left sole responsibility care infant son, Jason Paul. Shortly wife's death, applied at office Brunswick, N.J., himself son. He did obtain son 402(d) (1970 ed. Supp. III),5 received $206.90 per month until September $248.30 thereafter. However, appellee told he eligible himself, available women.6 If had been woman, would have same amount long working, see §§ 402(d)(2) (g)(2), and, if reduced $1 every $2 earned annually above $2,400. 403(b) (f).7 5 filed suit February 1973,8 claiming jurisdiction 28 1331, behalf all widowers similarly situated.9 sought declaration unconstitutional extent treated differently, injunction restraining appellant denying sex, payment past commencing original application. Cross motions summary judgment filed. After court determined jurisdiction,10 granted favor appellee, issued order giving relief sought. II 6 made indistinguishable invalidated 36 583 involved statutes which serviceman dependents' servicewoman unless proved supplied more one-half husband's violated Amendment. Schlesinger Ballard, 498, 572, 60 (1975), explained: 'In . challenged (classification) sex (was) overbroad generalizations could Constitution. (T)he assumption spouses servicemen normally dependent husbands, servicewomen not.' Id., 507, 577. virtually identical generalization, id., 508, 577, 'not Constitution' underlies drawn families, support.11 7 Section added 1939 one large number amendments designed 'afford adequate family unit.' H.R.Rep.No.728, 76th Cong., 1st Sess., (1939). Monthly wives, children, widows, orphans, surviving parents workers. Ibid. workers limited circumstances, n. supra, no whatever husbands wives' employment.12 8 Underlying principle '(u)nder social-insurance plan primary accordance needs beneficiaries rather make payments estate person regardless leaves dependents.' 7. (Emphasis supplied.) It felt '(t)he these survivorship supplements annuitant keeping insurance ..' Thus, framers legislated 'then generally accepted presumption man responsible children.' D. Hoskins & L. Bixby, Women Security: Law Policy Five Countries, Administration Research Report 42, p. 77 (1973).13 9 Obviously, notion likely supporters entirely without empirical See Kahn Shevin, 416 351, 354 7, 94 1734, 1737, 40 189 But such suffice denigration efforts whose 10 clearly operates, our Frontiero, deprive families receive result employment. Indeed, classification here ways pernicious. First, open prove fact her. Here, given opportunity show, may well case, that, lived, remained took over child. Second, salary worked. failed situated worker received, also deprived portion own fund out paid others. Constitution forbids differentiation assumptions dependency us results producing produced men. III 11 Appellant seeks avoid conclusion two related arguments. claims compensation done, Congress obliged employee provides male. contends 'reasonably offset adverse situation financial assistance supplement substitute marketplace,' Brief 14, therefore does contravene guarantee. 12 relies first proposition primarily Flemming Nestor, 363 603, 80 1367, 1435 (1960). interest future 'noncontractual,' 'each worker's benefits, though flowing national economy actively employed, degree called system taxation.' 609—610, 1371, 1372. apparently derived program has equally other regards flow 13 how can gender based. From outset, old age, survivors', disability (OASDI) 'afforded matter right, productive processes county.' Final Advisory Council 17 (1938). true directly tax contributions, OASDI structured part presumed need.14 For reason, position 'cannot soundly analogized holder annuity, bottomed contractual premium payments.' U.S., 610, remains employee,15 need directly. force employee, sufficient justification B 14 characterize reasonably group difficulties still confront seek families. 355, statute further state policy cushioning impact spousal loss whom imposes disproportionately heavy burden' survive attack. (1975). mere recitation benign, compensatory automatic shield protects inquiry into actual purposes underlying scheme.16 history Congress' were, themselves. Rather, linked intended children. way disadvantages women, diminishes 15 behind parent personal attention clear history. Security, develped amendments, said explicitly '(s)uch (under 402(g)) orphans' enabling remain home 31 In 1971, new Council, considering eliminate various distinctions structure, reiterated understanding: 'Present law chooses stay instead working. Council's judgment, desirable allow woman choice work.' 1971 Reports Old-Age, Survivors, Disability Insurance Medicare Programs 30 (hereinafter Reports). 16 consideration extending there proposal rejected, expected work, middle-aged 'are savings younger many grown able help them.' Board, H.R.Doc.No.110, 7—8 (1938); Hearings Amendments House Committee Ways Means, 61, 1217, 2169—2170; 36— 37 decided even recognized serious problems job market. Instead, believed they should whole structure conforms articulated purpose. Widows reach age or, certain instances disability, 50. 402(e)(1) (5). Further, cease when beneficiary longer children's benefits.17 concerned irrational except spent rearing most skills succeed Walker, Sex Discrimination Benefit Programs, 23 Hastings L.J. 277, 278—279 (1971); Hearings, 61 (remarks Dr. Altemeyer, Chairman, Board); Taxes, President's Commission Status 31—32 (1963). Similarly, now divorced child, child 416(d)(3). Yet, entitled meets eligibility requirements 20 years. 402(b) (e), 416(d).18 Once again, explicable employment 18 Given irrational. parent. Even typical hypothesized supporting caring makes sense. working mean would, to, continue dies. important cared its female. And father, mother, constitutionally protected 'companionship, custody, management' 'the sired raised, (which) undeniably warrants deference absent powerful countervailing interest, protection.' Stanley Illinois, 405 645, 651, 92 1208, 1212, 551 (1972). encounter problems, seem will child-care problems.19 Wiesenfeld, example, found impeded ability supra. 19 Finally, choose forgo not,20 independent classification, deny reduce conform norm hampered responsibilities. Benefits decrease increased earnings, 641. According appellant, bulk event,' Appellant, 11, earn too much. gratuitous; it, aids. explained attempt invalid Frontiero. Like there, '(b)y dissimilar situated, section (Due Process) Clause.' Reed Reed, 404 71, 77, 251, 254, 225 (1971). 21 Affirmed. 22 DOUGLAS decision case. POWELL, THE CHIEF JUSTICE joins, concurring. 24 I concur identify impermissible discrimination effected somewhat narrowly does. designed, certainly context, family. Although lacks attributes (1960), contributory millions basic event death disability. 25 Many participate exactly When earner, suffer great deprivation occur earner. immaterial elects assume arrangements works low wages. mother.* impermissibly earner identical. find legitimate governmental supports classification. 26 REHNQUIST, concurring result. 27 Part III—B Court's contains thorough examination context define role 402(g). believe convincingly demonstrates possible contributing parent, desire Moreover, establishes Government's proffered so totally odds judging whethr between rationally serves valid objective. This necessity reaching issue statute's purported Amendment simply conclude, opinion, restriction mothers purpose, including obviously designed. distinguish fathers full-time remaning it. To my mind, end matter. headed 'Mother's benefits.' pertinent part: '(1) (as defined 416(d) title) individual fully currently insured individual, mother— '(A) married, '(B) widow's benefit, '(C) old-age each three-fourth '(D) application mother's wages self-employment preceding died, '(E) time filing child's benefit shall month, beginning August 1950 becomes ending following occurs: exceeding three-fourths remarries, .' terms 'fully' 'currently' 414. 3, infra. '(W)hile clause, forbid 'so unjustifiable violative due process." Schneider Rusk, 377 163, 168, 84 1187, 1190, 218, 222 (1964); Bolling Sharpe, 347 497, 499, 74 693, 694, 98 884 (1954). approach always precisely Fourteenth See, e.g., 610 (1975); Jimenez Weinberger, 417 628, 637, 2496, 2502, 41 363, (1974); 'currently insured' 1, six quarters coverage thirteen-quarter period (1) quarter (she) died.' 414(b). 1970, $9,808, $3,100 self-employed consultant; $10,686 $2,188; $6,836.35 $2,475 entire year. completed education 'Child's benefits' follows: 'Every dies child— unmarried (i) either attained student 22, (ii) 423(d) began individual— '(ii) whichever occurs— marries, attains 18, defined) month.' regard father. Originally, living supported mother. Aug. 10, 1939, 202(c), 53 Stat. 1364. provision amended entitlement otherwise insured, nn. retaining qualifications recent. 28, 1950, 101(a), amending 202(d), 64 483. 1967, criteria Pub.L. 90—248, 151, 81 860. affidavit orally file behalf. dispute request denied. Tr. Oral Arg. Court, 1973, 45; 985 5. employed October 1972. 4, 1972 obtained again $1,500 month. lawsuit 24, 1973. dismissed position, unemployed distinction, lower December Appellee, ascribed childcare. particular, 'encountered severe difficulty obtaining services suitable housekeeper, conscientiously entrust Jason's four housekeepers administrative review denial 405(b). stipulated appeal futile, face precludes granting pp. 16—17. Nor claim 405(h), '(n)o findings reviewed herein provided,' (see 405(g)), bar action. Public Utilities Comm'n California United States, 355 534, 539—540, 78 446, 450, 470 (1958); Richardson Morris, 409 464, 629, 34 647 (1973) (per curiam); Griffin 346 1226 (D.C.Md.), aff'd, 1069, 689, 660 declined action proceed class F.Supp., 986—987. No taken ruling. jurisdictional $10,000 1331 established 'appear legal certainty' controversy total $10,000, St. Paul Mercury Indemnity Co. Red Cab Co., 303 283, 289, 58 586, 590, 82 845 (1938), where commanding sought, await accrual back bring suit. troubled day filed, day. nonetheless futility dismissing plaintiff refile immediately establish decision. prevailed, became 402(d), (g), (s)(1). At then-prevailing rates, collected full little three years, 640—641. nature insurance, present peace mind fear lack earnings. Also, unlike 423, earn, give potential recipient staying choice, much $53,640 worth ($2,980 times years), value claimant observations 689 23, S.Ct., 1771, view percentage (41.5% 1971), complete wives relationship reality. vein, Taylor Louisiana, 522, 692, 690 observed current statistics belie home' contemporary women. 535 —-, 17, 700, 17. Changes provisions. aged show wives. 402(c), (f). Note, Classifications Structure, 49 Ind.L.J. 181 (1939): usually financially mother'; Cong.Rec. 6896 (1939) Rep. Cooper): '(W)e bill basis, we take people bringing family.' 29 (1963): 'It determination presumptions, situations detailed investigations relationships. traditionally homemaker, supra 644. There continuing tension goals: equity, accords commensurate adequacy, assures contributors tolerable standard living. J. Pechman, H. Aaron M. Taussig, Perspectives Reform 33—34 (1968); Rather abandoning goal, tried meet both, assuring contributor least purchase private 13—14 (1939); H.R.Rep.No.1300, 81st (1949). 414, 415 correlation earned, 'primary amount,' retirement age. 75% employee. cases accept assertions purposes, asserted goal legislation. Eisenstadt Baird, 438, 1029, 349 (1972); 634, 2500 Dept. Agriculture Moreno, 413 528, 536—537, 2821, 2826—2827, 782 cases, although 402(d). students instances, few months 402(d)(1)(F) (d)(7). reached disabled. 402(s)(1). sustains realistic think might home. former 1950. 1965 20-year 1965, 89—97, 308, 79 375. Both groups husband. proof-of-dependency eliminated 92—603, 114, 86 1348. separate development reinforces presence raison d'etre Railroad Retirement, commenting similar railroad stated: 'Statistically speaking, are, course, significant differences roles played society. far raising society's aim socially better growing tailor subsidy desired, indirectly unequally helping ignoring plight. functional capability breadwinner counts; incidental.' Retirement System—Its Coming Crisis. H.R.Doc. 92—350, 378 Precisely expressed recommendations retain discard followed Amendments: 'The believes unnecessary offer (whether children) man. today past, homemakers, very adopt dual role; customary predominant homemaker breadwinner. continues wife. recommend care.' 30. attach significance emphasized enable light experience contrary, doubt choice. Under conditioned parent's

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