Spouses, children, and disabled adult children of retirees or disabled workers may qualify for monthly Social Security payments. We help you understand who’s eligible, how much they can receive, and how to apply.
If you’re receiving Social Security due to retirement, disability, or death, your dependent family members may also be entitled to benefits based on your record. These are called auxiliary benefits and can provide crucial support for:
Must be the biological, adopted, or dependent stepchild
Under age 18 (or 19 if still in high school full time)
Parent must be retired, disabled, or deceased
Receives up to 50% of parent’s benefit (75% if deceased)
Must have been disabled before age 22
Unmarried
Parent must be receiving Social Security or be deceased
Receives same benefit rates as minor children
Benefits continue as long as disability remains
Can receive benefits at any age if caring for a child under 16 or disabled
Marriage must have lasted 10+ years if divorced
Benefits stop when child turns 16 unless disabled
Social Security sets a cap — typically between 150% to 180% of the worker’s full benefit — that can be shared among eligible family members.
|
Worker’s Benefit
|
Family Max (180%)
|
Split Among
|
|---|---|---|
|
$2,000/month
|
$3,600/month
|
Spouse + 2 kids
|
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