Most people are aware that you can share Social Security benefits with a spouse. But you might be surprised to find that the agency also carves out ways in which your children may receive a check.
To those 40- and 50-year-olds suddenly getting excited about the prospects of receiving Social Security from their parents: Slow your roll. Social Security child’s benefits generally (though not entirely) apply to minors. Still, this benefit applies to more people than you might think.
Many couples wait until they’re financially stable to have kids, and that’s taking longer than it used to. Others have fertility struggles that may push back their timelines based on their ability to access treatments (and for those treatments to work). Still others have large age gaps where one parent might be much older.
All of this and more is pushing up the average age of Americans having children. The average age for U.S. mothers giving birth is currently 29.6, while the average age for fathers at their child’s birth is 30.9. And while the rule might not apply to parents near those averages, they absolutely would in cases where people are having children in their 50s, even 60s.
Not to mention: This benefit is also available to the children of those earning Social Security disability payments.
Today, I’ll discuss who’s eligible for Social Security child’s benefits, as well as how they work. I’ll also answer a few common questions about this perk.
The information and analysis contained within this article appears for your consideration, but it does not constitute individualized financial advice. Always act at your own discretion.
Who Is Eligible for Social Security Child’s Benefits?
For a retiree’s child to receive Social Security child’s benefits, a child must have either a.) at least one parent who receives Social Security retirement or disability benefits, or b.) at least one deceased parent with a long enough work history where they were paying Social Security taxes.
The child must also be unmarried, and meet one of the following criteria:
- Be under 18 years old
- Be 18 or 19 years old and a full-time student in grade 12 or below
- Be 18 or older and have a disability that began before age 22
The Social Security Administration (SSA) also states that in some circumstances, child’s benefits might also be provided to adopted children, stepchildren, grandchildren, and/or step-grandchildren.
How Does the Social Security Child’s Benefit Work?
To apply for the child’s benefit, you’ll need proof of the child’s birth or adoption as well as both the parent’s and child’s Social Security numbers.
Eligible children can get up to half of the parent’s full retirement benefits (or, if they receive survivors benefits, up to 75% of the deceased parent’s basic Social Security benefit). However, there is a family limit to this benefit.
The maximum family payment, determined by the SSA, ranges from 150% to 180% of the parent’s full benefit amount. If the total amount payable to all family members would exceed this limit, each person’s benefit would be proportionally reduced until the total equals the maximum payment. (However, the parent’s benefit is never lowered; this only applies to family members’ benefits.)
Related: 5 Social Security Moves Every High-Net-Worth Individual Should Know
Can My Child Still Get the Benefit If I’m Working?
You can still receive Social Security benefits while working, and therefore your child could still collect the child’s benefit. However, there are a couple things to consider:
For one, if you’re below full retirement age (FRA) and earn too much while collecting retirement Social Security, some of your earnings will be temporarily deducted from your benefit. If you’re under FRA for the entire year, $1 is deducted for every $2 you earn over the annual limit. For 2026, the earnings limit is $24,480. Once you reach FRA, you forfeit $1 in benefits for every $3 in 2026 earnings over $65,160. In other words: Earning too much before FRA doesn’t just reduce your benefit—it lowers your child’s benefit as well.
Also, if you receive Social Security disability benefits while working, you’re still subject to substantial gainful activity (SGA) and trial work period (TWP) limits. SGA earnings limits in 2026 are $1,690 per month ($2,830 if you’re blind). Meanwhile, the TWP limit for 2026 is $1,210.
Related: How Much Do People Get From Social Security? The Average Monthly Payment by Age
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Should I Take Advantage of the Social Security Child’s Benefits?
If you’re already collecting Social Security, it doesn’t hurt to have eligible children collect it as well.
However, you might not want to go as far as claiming your benefit early just so your child can collect a little bit of money. Your Social Security timing affects the size of your benefit. You can start collecting Social Security at age 62, but you need to wait until full retirement age to receive your full benefit amount (and delaying benefits past FRA can increase your benefit until it maxes out at age 70).
Check out my step-by-step guide to get an estimate of how much Social Security you’ll receive depending on what age you start collecting your benefit.
Related: Should You Wait Until Age 70 to Claim Social Security?
How Is the Social Security Child’s Benefit Taxed?
Good news if you’re a parent: You’re not taxed on Social Security benefits for your child. (Even if the benefits are deposited into your account.)
However, the benefits should be reported on your child’s return if they file one.
That doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be taxed. These benefits are tax-free if their provisional income—the total of 50% of Social Security benefits as well as other taxable and tax-exempt income—is less than $25,000. If your child’s provisional income exceeds this threshold, part of their benefits might be taxable.
If your child receives only a little in Social Security benefits and has no other income, they likely won’t pay taxes on those benefits. If they receive a high level of benefits and/or have other income from a part-time job and/or have taxable scholarships, they might have to pay some taxes.
Related: Don’t Believe These 18 Social Security Myths
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