Eligibility Requirements for Dependent Benefits
Children can qualify for a benefit as the survivor of a deceased worker or as the dependent of a living parent who receives Social Security retirement or disability benefits. Children need to be one of the following:12
- Unmarried
- Under the age of 18 (or 19 if they are a full-time student in elementary or secondary school)
- 18 or older and disabled from a disability that started before age 22
If you file for social security benefits early at age 62, instead of using the reduced 62 age benefit of $1,200 social security benefit to calculate the remaining amount available for your children, you have to use the FRA benefit of $1,700 in the formula before determining how much your children are eligible to receive. Social security would reduce the children’s benefits by an equal amount until their total benefit is reduced to the family maximum limit.
How Much Does Your Child Receive?
These are the steps:
1) Max Family Benefit = $1,700 (FRA) x 150% = $2,550
2) $2,550 (Family Max) – $1,700 (FRA) = $850
3) Divide $850 by 4 eligible children = $212.50 for each child
This results in the following social security benefits paid to retiree and their 4 children:
You: $1,200
Child 1: $212.50
Child 2: $212.50
Child 3: $212.50
Child 4: $212.50
