Join Early Retirement Today
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Hi I am Dan - SSA Benefits for Minor Children
Old 03-16-2012, 11:32 AM   #1
Confused about dryer sheets
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 1
Hi I am Dan - SSA Benefits for Minor Children

I will be 62 in August 2012. I have two minor children ages 12 and 9. My wife is 52 and self employed. Can I file for benefits at 62 and will my minor children begin receiving benefits also. I do not need the money now, so should I suspend my benefit after filing for my minor children? And will they continue to receive the benefits after I suspend mind.
Also, can my wife file for benefits after I do even though she is not 62? What happens to her benefits if I suspend mine.

Dan
danhart is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 Early Retirement and Financial Independence Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

Are you planning to be financially independent as early as possible so you can live life on your own terms? Discuss successful investing strategies, asset allocation models, tax strategies and other related topics in our online forum community. Our members range from young folks just starting their journey to financial independence, military retirees and even multimillionaires. No matter where you fit in you'll find that Early-Retirement.org is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with our members, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create a retirement blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 03-16-2012, 11:39 AM   #2
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
Brat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 7,111
SSA benefits for minor children are only payable upon death of a parent, not retirement.
__________________
Duck bjorn.
Brat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2012, 11:49 AM   #3
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Leonidas's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Where the stars at night are big and bright
Posts: 2,847
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brat View Post
SSA benefits for minor children are only payable upon death of a parent, not retirement.
There has been previous discussion here regarding this, and I recall being a little shocked at the time to discover that minor children of retirees receiving SS OAB do in fact get money as well.

From the SSA website.
Quote:
When you qualify for Social Security retirement benefits, your children may also qualify to receive benefits on your record. Your eligible child can be your biological child, adopted child or stepchild. A dependent grandchild may also qualify. To receive benefits, the child must:
  • be unmarried; and
  • be under age 18; or
  • be 18-19 years old and a full-time student (no higher than grade 12); or
  • be 18 or older and disabled from a disability that started before age 22.
http://www.ssa.gov/retire2/yourchildren.htm

And elsewhere on the SSA website:
Quote:
When you start receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits, other family members also may be eligible for payments. For example, benefits can be paid to your husband or wife:...

Benefits also can be paid to your unmarried children if they are [same conditions as above]...

How much can family members get?

Each family member may be eligible for a monthly benefit that is up to half of your retirement or disability benefit amount. However, there is a limit to the total amount of money that can be paid to you and your family. The limit varies, but is generally equal to about 150 to 180 percent of your retirement or disability benefit.
Publication 05-1024 http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10024.html

As to the OP's question - I would suggest calling the SSA and asking them. Please let us know their response here because I bet others will want this info some day.

Edit to add: This is not the post I was thinking of, but I noted that the OP there (wolf) is still around and recently updated the 2008 thread (in Jan 2012). http://www.early-retirement.org/foru...ren-37752.html
__________________
There is no pleasure in having nothing to do; the fun is having lots to do and not doing it. - Andrew Jackson
Leonidas is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2012, 12:09 PM   #4
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
Brat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 7,111
Really! Interesting. The only benefits I had heard about for minor children was when the breadwinner died.
__________________
Duck bjorn.
Brat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2012, 05:24 PM   #5
Full time employment: Posting here.
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 728
Quote:
Originally Posted by danhart View Post
I will be 62 in August 2012. I have two minor children ages 12 and 9. My wife is 52 and self employed. Can I file for benefits at 62 and will my minor children begin receiving benefits also. I do not need the money now, so should I suspend my benefit after filing for my minor children? And will they continue to receive the benefits after I suspend mind.
Also, can my wife file for benefits after I do even though she is not 62? What happens to her benefits if I suspend mine.

Dan
Wrong, you can collect benefits for minor children until they are 18, I believe. I do for my daughter. But.....I was over the age of 66 and my wife doesn't have any employment income. My daughter receives 50% of my amount...over a 1000 bucks a month! Good luck. I would call Social Security, they were extremely helpful explaning my options.
jerome len is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2012, 06:24 PM   #6
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
73ss454's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: LaLa Land
Posts: 4,698
Can someone explain to me why folks that choose to make babies late in life should be compensated? IMHO these folks should take care of their own responsibilities.
__________________
Work is something you do to get enough $ so you don't have to....Me.
73ss454 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2012, 09:30 PM   #7
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
Katsmeow's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,307
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brat View Post
SSA benefits for minor children are only payable upon death of a parent, not retirement.
That would be news to my husband and children. My husband retired when he was 62 and began drawing SS. Since then our minor children have indeed received benefits. Benefits when a parent is retired are 1/2 of full retirement benefits (they are, I believe, 3/4 when the parent is deceased). However, they are subject to a family limit.

To give an example, DH receives $1847 a month. Our two children receive $879 a month and each one's benefits are limited due to the family max. Our son will turn 18 in a few months. If we had not yet graduated from high school he could continue to receive benefits until he graduated (actually I think technically it is until 19 but must be attending secondary school). He graduated early and is already in college so his benefits will cease immediately (he is paid for the month before he turns 18, not the month he is 18).

When he turns 18, our daughter's benefits will increase. I don't know the exact amount yet but I think somewhere between $250 and $300 a month more.

I don't know about the suspension issue as DH did not suspend his benefits.

I could have received 1/2 his benefits as someone with care of a child under 16. However, I was still working so it would not have been a good idea to do so since my earnings would have counted to reduce SS benefits (so would kids earnings by the way although there is an amount that can be earned without resulting in a reduction. Bear in mind kid's benefits will be reduced based upon earnings of the kid or of the retired parent). Also, we were already at the family max so it didn't really gain anything to have me receive benefits even if I hadn't been working. With my son turning 18, if I wasn't working then it might make sense for me to receive benefits however my daughter will turn 16 soon and then I wouldn't be eligible anyway (I am not 62).
Katsmeow is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-17-2012, 01:43 AM   #8
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
obgyn65's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: midwestern city
Posts: 4,061
Don't you think this oversimplified, general comment is a bit too harsh?
Quote:
Originally Posted by 73ss454 View Post
Can someone explain to me why folks that choose to make babies late in life should be compensated?
__________________
Very conservative with investments. Not ER'd yet, 48 years old. Please do not take anything I write or imply as legal, financial or medical advice directed to you. Contact your own financial advisor, healthcare provider, or attorney for financial, medical and legal advice.
obgyn65 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-17-2012, 08:45 AM   #9
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Northern IL
Posts: 26,821
Quote:
Originally Posted by obgyn65 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by 73ss454
Can someone explain to me why folks that choose to make babies late in life should be compensated?
Don't you think this oversimplified, general comment is a bit too harsh?
How is it either over-simplified, general, or harsh?

It appears to sum up one of the conditions precisely. And I'm wondering the same thing.

What is the difference? I paid for my kids expenses before I retired, so now my portfolio (and income I can draw) is less. But I'm not compensated for that by the SSA. But I am if I have those children late in life, and didn't incur the expenses earlier ( so, all things being equal, I have a larger portfolio and larger amount to draw from now)? I don't get it.

So what is your problem with his statement?

-ERD50
ERD50 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-17-2012, 08:54 AM   #10
Administrator
MichaelB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 40,586
If grandparents adapt their grandchildren because the parents suffer a misfortune or tragedy, society could show a little compassion and help them deal with the unplanned financial burden.
MichaelB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-17-2012, 08:57 AM   #11
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Northern IL
Posts: 26,821
Quote:
Originally Posted by MichaelB View Post
If grandparents adapt their grandchildren because the parents suffer a misfortune or tragedy, society could show a little compassion and help them deal with the unplanned financial burden.
That was not the situation that 73ss454 described.

I don't think it is very compassionate of you to paint 73ss454 as in-compassionate based on the remark he made.

-ERD50
ERD50 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-17-2012, 09:02 AM   #12
Administrator
MichaelB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 40,586
I was just pointing out that SS coverage of retired people with minor dependents is not simply a case of subsidizing people that make babies late in life.
MichaelB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-17-2012, 09:08 AM   #13
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Northern IL
Posts: 26,821
Quote:
Originally Posted by MichaelB View Post
I was just pointing out that SS coverage of retired people with minor dependents is not simply a case of subsidizing people that make babies late in life.
OK, but it followed the posts where the discussion was about people who 'choose to make babies late in life', and another poster calling that 'harsh' (which I tied to your 'show some compassion' statement). If you want to change the subject, maybe you should make that clearer.

-ERD50
ERD50 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-17-2012, 09:18 AM   #14
Administrator
MichaelB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 40,586
The discussion is about SS payments to dependent minors of retired people. Once again, I was showing one way a retired person could have a minor dependent. There are others. For example, adaption of an orphan.

Not changing the subject at all.
MichaelB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-17-2012, 09:22 AM   #15
gone traveling
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Eastern PA
Posts: 3,851
Quote:
Originally Posted by ERD50 View Post
How is it either over-simplified, general, or harsh?

It appears to sum up one of the conditions precisely. And I'm wondering the same thing.

What is the difference? I paid for my kids expenses before I retired, so now my portfolio (and income I can draw) is less. But I'm not compensated for that by the SSA. But I am if I have those children late in life, and didn't incur the expenses earlier ( so, all things being equal, I have a larger portfolio and larger amount to draw from now)? I don't get it.

So what is your problem with his statement?

-ERD50
I would have to agree with the argument stated by ERD50...

Color me "harsh" ...
rescueme is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-17-2012, 09:35 AM   #16
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
growing_older's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,657
I don't think it's harsh. I think it's a reasonable question.

Person A has kids as a young adult and raises them. Kids receive no SS.
Person B has kids at an older age and raises them. Kids get SS.
Why the difference?

After an unspecified event, kids are adopted by an Uncle. Kids receive no SS.
After an unspecified event, kids are adopted by grandparents. Kids receive SS.
Why the difference?

It makes sense that on death of a parent, there would be SS benefit to minors. But I don't think you can argue that all older parents should get SS for their kids because some of them might be adoptive grandparents. If that's the case then why not similar benefits for young adults who adopt niece/nephew? Or is there a reason why they deserve no benefit simply if they are younger at the time they adopt?

It doesn't seem harsh to me to say these differences don't seem sensible.
growing_older is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-17-2012, 09:56 AM   #17
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
Brat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 7,111
Basically I agree with the above but as a senior who has looked after grandchildren occasionally let me assure you that caring for them requires a lot more effort than it took to care for my own. I don't have an issue with extra SS for someone who takes on the responsibility of raising grandchildren after the age of 65. Often those grandparents are low income and/or have stepped in because the parents are unable.

There is a good reason why nature cuts off procreation for women at a sensible age. For the life of me I can't figure out why men were not similarly blessed.
__________________
Duck bjorn.
Brat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-17-2012, 10:03 AM   #18
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
Katsmeow's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,307
Quote:
Can someone explain to me why folks that choose to make babies late in life should be compensated? IMHO these folks should take care of their own responsibilities.
I could just as easily say -- Can someone explain to me why folks that choose to get married should be compensated? IMHO these folks should take care of their own responsibilities and benefits for married folks should be no greater than benefits for people who are single. Yet, I don't see many comments that spousal benefits are unfair.

The reason minor children of a retired parent receive benefits is because it is part of what SS is designed to do. We tend to think of SS as something that is designed to provide retirement income to a retired person. This is, however, incorrect.

It is actually designed to provide replacement income to the retired person and the family of the retired person. There are limitations on this. Age limitations or care of children limitations for a spouse and age or school limitations for children (or the children must be disabled).

The SS website explains it:

Quote:
Parents play a critical role in the success of the Social Security program. The program is designed to ensure continuing income to families when a worker retires, dies or becomes disabled. ......As a working parent, you are a source of Social Security protection for your family. If either parent retires, dies or becomes disabled and unable to work, his or her earnings would be partially replaced by monthly Social Security payments.
The bottom line is that the program is designed to provide more income to a family with a spouse (i.e. spousal benefits) or a family with minor children (i.e. children's benefits) than it is designed to provide to a family with only one person (single person with no minor children).

The program could have been designed differently. It could have provided for no spousal benefits and no children's benefits. However, the idea I believe is that a family with a spouse or a family with children needs more income than a family with neither. Philosophically I don't see much difference between providing spousal benefits (marrying is also a choice) and benefits for children (in fact, it is much more likely to have a late in life "accidental" child than it is to have an accidental spouse....)
Katsmeow is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-17-2012, 10:12 AM   #19
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
obgyn65's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: midwestern city
Posts: 4,061
My point exactly. Thank you Michael.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MichaelB View Post
The discussion is about SS payments to dependent minors of retired people. Once again, I was showing one way a retired person could have a minor dependent. There are others. For example, adaption of an orphan.

Not changing the subject at all.
__________________
Very conservative with investments. Not ER'd yet, 48 years old. Please do not take anything I write or imply as legal, financial or medical advice directed to you. Contact your own financial advisor, healthcare provider, or attorney for financial, medical and legal advice.
obgyn65 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-17-2012, 10:47 AM   #20
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
haha's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Hooverville
Posts: 22,983
Quote:
Originally Posted by obgyn65 View Post
Don't you think this oversimplified, general comment is a bit too harsh?
No.
__________________
"As a general rule, the more dangerous or inappropriate a conversation, the more interesting it is."-Scott Adams
haha is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Government's New Plan for Retirees Includes Pink Slime, Horse Meat, & Horse Hockey mickeyd FIRE and Money 63 04-04-2012 01:43 PM
Paying for the "payroll tax" cut veremchuka FIRE Related Public Policy 124 03-20-2012 02:33 PM
has anyone ever taken a job for less? tulak Young Dreamers 49 03-19-2012 06:17 AM
MPT -"Investment Strategies for the 21st Century" seraphim Active Investing, Market Strategies & Alternative Assets 10 03-16-2012 09:49 AM
Maybe someone can check this for me oldtrig FIRE and Money 45 03-13-2012 05:19 PM

» Quick Links

 
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:39 AM.
 
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.