Are you an older parent? You could be missing out on an overlooked senior benefit that could provide additional financial support: Social Security benefits for their children.
These benefits can be a valuable resource to help supplement your income and ease financial stress during retirement, and understanding the eligibility criteria and application process is essential to maximizing your senior benefits.
Here's what you need to know about this often-missed opportunity.
If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive discounts and financial resources
Over 50? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member you could be missing out on huge perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on things like travel, meal deliveries, eyeglasses, prescriptions that aren’t covered by insurance and more.
How to become a member today:
- Go here, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
- Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions
- Start enjoying your discounts and perks!
Important: Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (Do not skip this step!) Doing so will allow you to take up 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $15 the first year with auto-renewal.
What is the benefit?
Social Security provides monthly payments to eligible children of retired, disabled, or deceased workers. These benefits aim to support families by helping cover the costs of raising children when one or both parents are no longer working due to retirement, disability, or death. The payments can assist with daily living expenses, education, and other needs, ensuring that children can complete school and have financial stability during challenging times.
Who qualifies?
To be eligible for Social Security child benefits, the parent must be at least 62 and retired or have a disability and be entitled to Social Security benefits, or the parent has died after having worked long enough in a job where they paid Social Security taxes. Then, the child must be unmarried and meet one of the following criteria:
- Under the age of 18
- Between the ages of 18 and 19 and a full-time student at a secondary school (not beyond grade 12)
- Age 18 or older with a disability that began before age 22
Who benefits most from it?
This benefit is particularly advantageous for older parents who have children later in life. While many parents may not qualify because their children are already adults, those who have minor or disabled children during retirement can receive substantial support. It's an often-overlooked opportunity that can provide significant financial assistance to families in this unique situation.
Resolve $10,000 or more of your debt
Credit card debt is suffocating. It constantly weighs on your mind and controls every choice you make. You can end up emotionally and even physically drained from it. And even though you make regular payments, it feels like you can never make any progress because of the interest.
National Debt Relief could help you resolve your credit card debt with an affordable plan that works for you. Just tell them your situation, then find out your debt relief options.1 <p>Clients who are able to stay with the program and get all their debt settled realize approximate savings of 46% before fees, or 25% including our fees, over 12 to 48 months. All claims are based on enrolled debts. Not all debts are eligible for enrollment. Not all clients complete our program for various reasons, including their ability to save sufficient funds. Estimates based on prior results, which will vary based on specific circumstances. We do not guarantee that your debts will be lowered by a specific amount or percentage or that you will be debt-free within a specific period of time. We do not assume consumer debt, make monthly payments to creditors or provide tax, bankruptcy, accounting or legal advice or credit repair services. Not available in all states. Please contact a tax professional to discuss tax consequences of settlement. Please consult with a bankruptcy attorney for more information on bankruptcy. Depending on your state, we may be available to recommend a local tax professional and/or bankruptcy attorney. Read and understand all program materials prior to enrollment, including potential adverse impact on credit rating.</p>
How to get National Debt Relief to help you resolve your debt: Sign up for a free debt assessment here. (Do not skip this step!) By signing up for a free assessment, National Debt Relief can assist you in settling your debt, but only if you schedule the assessment.
Why should you take advantage of it?
Utilizing this benefit can provide additional income to help cover the costs associated with raising a child during retirement. It can ease financial burdens, allowing retirees to allocate funds toward other essential expenses.
It also ensures that children have the necessary resources for their development and well-being. Taking advantage of this benefit can contribute to a more secure and comfortable retirement for the entire family.
What do you need when applying?
When applying for Social Security child benefits, you'll need to provide the following items:
- The child's birth certificate or proof of adoption
- Social Security numbers for both the parent and child
- If applying for survivor benefits, proof of the parent's death
- For disabled children, medical documentation of the disability
It's advisable to contact the Social Security Administration or visit their website to ensure you have all the necessary documentation before applying.
How much can a family get?
A child can receive up to 50% of the parent's full retirement or disability benefit. In the case of a deceased parent, the child may receive up to 75% of the parent's basic Social Security benefit.
However, there's a limit to the total amount a family can receive, typically between 150% and 180% of the parent's full benefit. If the total exceeds this limit, each family member's benefit is proportionally reduced.
Are there any drawbacks?
Claiming Social Security benefits early to access child benefits may result in a reduced monthly benefit for the parent. Delaying benefits generally increases the monthly amount, so starting early to obtain child benefits could impact long-term retirement income.
It's essential to weigh the immediate financial support against the potential decrease in future benefits. Consulting with a financial advisor can help determine the best course of action based on individual circumstances.
How many children receive it?
As of April 2025, approximately 734,000 children of retired workers received Social Security benefits, representing about 1.1% of all Social Security beneficiaries. This statistic highlights that while the benefit is available, it's not widely utilized, possibly due to a lack of awareness among eligible families.
Bottom line
Social Security child benefits offer a valuable opportunity for older parents to receive additional financial support during retirement. By understanding the eligibility criteria and application process, families can ensure they don't miss out on this overlooked benefit.
And with nearly 74 million people receiving Social Security benefits as of April 2025, it's crucial to explore all available options to stretch your retirement dollars further and secure your family's financial future.
More from FinanceBuzz:
- 7 things to do if you’re barely scraping by financially.
- Find out if you're overpaying for car insurance in just a few clicks.
- Make these 7 savvy moves when you have $1,000 in the bank.
- 14 benefits seniors are entitled to but often forget to claim