Can Stay-At-Home Mom Get Social Security

As a stay-at-home mom (or parent), your eligibility for Social Security benefits can depend on your individual circumstances. Social Security benefits are typically based on your work history, earnings, and the number of Social Security credits you have earned over your working years.

Related: 13 Reasons Why Moms Choose To Become A SAHM

However, there are a few scenarios in which you may be eligible for Social Security benefits as a stay-at-home mom:

Spousal Benefits

If you are married, you may be eligible for spousal benefits based on your spouse’s earnings record. To qualify for spousal benefits, you generally need to be at least 62 years old and married to someone who is eligible for Social Security benefits. The benefit amount you receive will depend on your spouse’s earnings history.

Spousal benefits are designed to provide support to spouses who may have lower or no income compared to their working spouse. These benefits are based on the earning history of the working spouse.

Here’s how spousal benefits work:

Eligibility

To qualify for spousal benefits, you generally need to meet the following criteria:

• You must be at least 62 years old.
• You must be married to someone who is eligible for Social Security retirement or disability benefits.
• Your spouse must have filed for their own Social Security benefits.

Benefit Calculation

The benefit amount you receive as a spouse is a percentage of your spouse’s full retirement benefit, which is based on their Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). The PIA is the monthly benefit amount your spouse is entitled to at their full retirement age (FRA).

• If you claim spousal benefits at your full retirement age (which is typically between 66 and 67, depending on your birth year), you are entitled to 50% of your spouse’s PIA.
• If you claim spousal benefits before your full retirement age, your benefit amount will be reduced. The reduction is based on the number of months you claim early. For each month before your FRA, your benefit is reduced by a fraction of a percent.
• If you claim spousal benefits after your full retirement age, you may be entitled to delayed retirement credits, which can increase your benefit amount.

Here’s an example to illustrate the calculation of spousal benefits:

Let’s say your spouse has a PIA of $2,000 per month, and your full retirement age is 66. If you wait until your full retirement age to claim spousal benefits, you would be entitled to 50% of your spouse’s PIA:

Spousal Benefit = 50% of Spouse’s PIA Spousal Benefit = 0.50 * $2,000 = $1,000 per month

If you claimed spousal benefits before your full retirement age, your benefit amount would be reduced. For instance, if you claimed benefits at age 62, you might receive around 35% of your spouse’s PIA, resulting in a monthly benefit of approximately $700.

It’s important to note that spousal benefits do not impact the primary earner’s Social Security benefit. Your spouse will continue to receive their full benefit, and your spousal benefit is in addition to that.

Also, keep in mind that Social Security rules and benefit calculations can change over time, so it’s essential to check with the Social Security Administration (SSA) for the most up-to-date information and personalized benefit estimates. The SSA’s website and online calculators can help you determine your potential spousal benefits based on your specific circumstances.

Survivor Benefits

Survivor benefits are available to the surviving spouse (widow or widower) and, in some cases, dependent children when a working spouse or ex-spouse passes away. The amount of survivor benefits depends on the deceased spouse’s earnings record, known as their Primary Insurance Amount (PIA).

Eligibility for Survivor Benefits

To qualify for survivor benefits, you typically need to meet the following criteria:

1. Be the widow or widower of a deceased spouse who was eligible for Social Security benefits.
2. Generally be at least 60 years old (or 50 if disabled).
3. Have been married to the deceased for at least nine months unless an exception applies, such as death due to an accident or in the line of duty.
4. In some cases, be caring for a deceased worker’s eligible dependent children who are under age 16 or disabled.

Benefit Calculation

The survivor benefit amount is based on the deceased spouse’s PIA at the time of their death. Here’s how it works:

• If you claim survivor benefits at your full retirement age (typically between 66 and 67, depending on your birth year), you are entitled to 100% of your deceased spouse’s PIA.
• If you claim survivor benefits before your full retirement age, the benefit is reduced. The reduction is based on the number of months you claim early.
• If you claim survivor benefits after your full retirement age, you may receive delayed retirement credits, which can increase your benefit amount.

Here’s an example to illustrate survivor benefits:

Suppose your deceased spouse had a PIA of $2,500 per month, and your full retirement age is 66. If you claim survivor benefits at your full retirement age, you would be entitled to 100% of your deceased spouse’s PIA:

Survivor Benefit = 100% of Deceased Spouse’s PIA Survivor Benefit = 1.00 * $2,500 = $2,500 per month

If you claim survivor benefits before your full retirement age, your benefit amount would be reduced, and if you claim after your full retirement age, it may be increased due to delayed retirement credits.

Divorced Spouse Benefits

Divorced spouse benefits allow individuals who are divorced but meet certain criteria to receive benefits based on their ex-spouse’s earnings record. Here are the key details:

Eligibility for Divorced Spouse Benefits

To qualify for divorced spouse benefits, you typically need to meet the following criteria:

1. You must have been married to your ex-spouse for at least 10 years.
2. You must be at least 62 years old.
3. Your ex-spouse must be eligible for Social Security benefits.
4. You must be currently unmarried, or if you have remarried, it must have been after age 60 (or age 50 if disabled).

Benefit Calculation

The benefit amount you receive as a divorced spouse is generally based on your ex-spouse’s PIA. Here’s how it works:

• If you claim divorced spouse benefits at your full retirement age (typically between 66 and 67, depending on your birth year), you are entitled to 50% of your ex-spouse’s PIA.
• If you claim divorced spouse benefits before your full retirement age, your benefit amount will be reduced. The reduction is based on the number of months you claim early.
• If you claim divorced spouse benefits after your full retirement age, you may be entitled to delayed retirement credits, which can increase your benefit amount.

Here’s an example to illustrate divorced spouse benefits:

Suppose your ex-spouse has a PIA of $2,000 per month, and your full retirement age is 66. If you wait until your full retirement age to claim divorced spouse benefits, you would be entitled to 50% of your ex-spouse’s PIA:

Divorced Spouse Benefit = 50% of Ex-Spouse’s PIA Divorced Spouse Benefit = 0.50 * $2,000 = $1,000 per month

If you claimed benefits before your full retirement age, your benefit amount would be reduced, and if you claimed after your full retirement age, it might increase due to delayed retirement credits.

It’s important to note that these calculations provide a simplified overview of the benefit amounts, and the actual calculations may involve other factors and adjustments. Additionally, Social Security rules can change over time, so it’s crucial to consult the Social Security Administration (SSA) or use their online calculators for personalized benefit estimates based on your specific circumstances.

Child-in-Care Spouse Benefits

Child-in-Care Spouse Benefits, also known as Child-in-Care Benefits, are a type of Social Security benefit available to spouses who are caring for eligible children under the age of 16. These benefits are designed to provide financial assistance to the caregiver spouse when they are responsible for the care of a child who is receiving Social Security benefits based on the work record of a deceased or disabled parent. Let’s break down the details of Child-in-Care Spouse Benefits:

Eligibility for Child-in-Care Spouse Benefits

To be eligible for Child-in-Care Spouse Benefits, you generally need to meet the following criteria:

1. You must be the spouse of a Social Security beneficiary (either a retired, deceased, or disabled worker) who is entitled to receive Social Security benefits.
2. You must be living with and caring for a child who is under age 16 or is disabled and receiving Social Security benefits based on the worker’s record.
3. The child you are caring for must be the natural or legally adopted child of both you and the Social Security beneficiary.

Benefit Calculation

The amount you receive as a Child-in-Care spouse is typically 50% of the worker’s Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). The PIA is the monthly benefit amount the worker is entitled to at their full retirement age (FRA). Here’s how the benefit calculation works:

• If the worker is alive and receiving Social Security benefits: Your Child-in-Care Spouse Benefit is equal to 50% of the worker’s PIA.
• If the worker has passed away, and you are caring for their eligible child: Your Child-in-Care Spouse Benefit is 75% of the deceased worker’s PIA.

Here’s a table to illustrate these calculations:

Situation	Benefit Calculation
Worker alive and receiving benefits	50% of worker’s PIA
Worker deceased, caring for their child	75% of deceased worker’s PIA

For example, if the worker had a PIA of $2,000 per month, and you are the spouse caring for their eligible child, you would receive 75% of that amount, which equals $1,500 per month in Child-in-Care Spouse Benefits.

It’s important to note that these benefits are typically available until the child turns 16 or is no longer disabled. At that point, the child’s own benefits may change, and your Child-in-Care Spouse Benefits would no longer apply.

It’s essential to understand that Social Security rules can be complex, and eligibility criteria can vary based on your specific situation. To determine your eligibility and understand the potential benefits available to you, you should contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) or visit their official website for detailed information and assistance. The SSA can provide personalized information and help you navigate the application process.

Keep in mind that the rules and regulations regarding Social Security benefits may change over time, so it’s a good idea to stay informed about any updates or policy changes that may affect your eligibility and benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Remember that Social Security rules and regulations can be complex, and the eligibility criteria may vary based on individual circumstances. It’s essential to seek accurate and up-to-date information from the Social Security Administration to understand your specific benefits and how they apply to your situation.