If you are 62 or older and are raising kids, Social Security will provide some assistance. When you claim your retirement benefits, each of your children may receive up to 50% of your primary insurance amount (PIA), which is your benefit at full retirement age. Even if you take a reduced benefit by claiming early, your children’s payments are still based on your full retirement amount.

You may apply for your children’s benefits at the same time as you file your own Social Security retirement claim, or separately afterward if needed, but applying together is usually the simplest approach. To qualify, children must be unmarried and under 18 years old. If they are 18 or 19 and are still in high school, they receive benefits until they graduate or reach age 19 and two months, whichever comes first. Children can also continue to receive benefits regardless of age if they developed a disability before they turned 22. If a child works, the standard earnings test may apply. In 2026, Social Security reduces benefits by $1 for every $2 earned above $24,480.

Special rules apply to children with disabilities. In some cases, a spouse may qualify for benefits on your Social Security record, even if they are younger than full retirement age. This is known as a child-in care (CIC) spousal benefit and may be available when a spouse cares for an eligible child under 16 or a child with a qualifying disability. The CIC benefit equals up to 50% of your PIA and ends when the child turns 16. It can be especially helpful in households where a spouse has left the workforce or is focused on caregiving.

There is a limit on how much Social Security can pay to a family. Known as the family maximum, the benefit is approximately 150% and 180% of your PIA. If total benefits exceed that amount, payments to family members (except yours) are reduced proportionally. If your spouse also qualifies, his or her benefit may further reduce the amount available to be shared, since the total family payment remains capped.

Children can also receive benefits if a parent becomes disabled, usually up to 50% of the parent’s disability benefit. If a parent dies, they may receive up to 75% of the deceased parent’s basic benefit. While these benefits will not cover everything, even modest support can make a meaningful difference for a family.

Keeping benefits on track

Social Security automatically stops children’s benefits when they age out or graduate. Knowing when payments start and stop can help you plan your budget and make the most of this support.

If your children’s circumstances change, such as graduating early, getting married or starting full-time work, be sure to notify Social Security to avoid accidental overpayments that would have to be repaid. For more details, see SSA Publication No. 05-10085, “Benefits for Children” at ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10085.pdf.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of "The Savvy Living” book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization’s official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.