In fact, Social security refers to a slightly broader concept compared with social protection, but some publications use them interchangeably.

The term can be used to refer to

1) social insurance, where people receive benefits or services in recognition of contributions to an insurance scheme. These services typically include provision for retirement pensions, disability insurance, survivor benefits, medical care, and unemployment insurance.
2) income maintenance - mainly the distribution of cash in the event of interruption of employment, including retirement, disability and unemployment
3) services provided by administrations responsible for social security . In different countries this may include medical care, aspects of social work and even industrial relations.
4) More rarely, the term is also used to refer to basic security, a term roughly equivalent to access to basic necessities - things such as food, clothing, shelter, education and medical care.

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