Can children receive your Social Security benefits?

Dear Savvy Senior: I’m getting ready to start my Social Security retirement benefits and have two children at home, ages 17 and 15. I’ve heard they might also be eligible for benefits on my record while I’m collecting. Is that true, and if so, how does it work? How long would they receive benefits, and is there anything I need to do to apply for them? — Retiring Parent

Dear Retiring Parent: Yes. If you’re 62 or older and raising kids, Social Security can put a little extra cash in your family’s pocket.

Here’s how it works. When you claim your retirement benefits, each of your children may get up to 50 percent of your primary insurance amount, 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, which is 67 if you were born in 1960 or later.

You can apply for your children’s benefits at the same time you file your own Social Security retirement claim, or separately afterward if needed, but doing it together is usually the simplest approach.

To qualify, children must be unmarried and under 18. If they are 18 or 19 and still in high school, they can receive benefits until they graduate or reach age 19 years and two months, whichever comes first.

If they work, the usual earnings test would apply. In 2026, Social Security reduces benefits by $1 for every $2 earned above $22,320. Special rules apply to children with disabilities.

Since your youngest is 15, your spouse can also receive benefits on your record — even if she is under full retirement age. This is a “child-in-care” spousal benefit that is available when a spouse is caring for a child under 16.

That benefit can be up to 50 percent of your primary insurance amount and ends when your youngest child turns 16. It can be especially helpful in households in which one parent has stepped back from work or is focused on caregiving.

There is also a limit on how much Social Security can pay a family, called the family maximum, usually between 150 and 180 percent of your primary insurance amount. If total benefits exceed that amount, payments to family members (except yours) are reduced proportionally.

For example, if your full retirement benefit is $3,000 per month, the family maximum might be around $5,289. That leaves $2,289 to divide among your children — about $1,144.50 each.

If your spouse also qualifies, her benefit would further reduce the amount available to be shared, though the total family payment remains capped.

Children can also receive benefits if a parent becomes disabled — usually up to 50 percent of the parent’s disability benefit — or if a parent dies, in which case they may receive up to 75 percent of the deceased parent’s basic benefit.

These benefits won’t cover everything, but 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 so payments stay accurate.

For more details, visit ssa.gov.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org.