Can I claim Social Security child benefits for my kids while taking early retirement at 62?

Yes, your children can receive benefits based on your work record when you start collecting retirement benefits! Each dependent child under 18 can receive up to 50% of your PIA (Primary Insurance Amount), which is what you would receive at your full retirement age of 67 - NOT your reduced age 62 benefit. However, there is a Family Maximum Benefit (FMB) that limits the total amount all beneficiaries on your record can receive, usually between 150%-180% of your PIA. Your early filing reduces YOUR benefit by about 30%, but doesn't directly reduce their eligible amounts - though the family maximum still applies to everyone. You'll need to create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov to see your exact numbers.

my sister did this exact thing last yr!! she filed at 62 and got payments for her 14 year old twins. the SS office told her each kid gets half of what her FULL benefit wouldve been (not her reduced benefit). but theres a max for the whole family they wont go over. she got way more $ by filing early with kids than waiting til later when they'd be over 18!!

I went through this 3 years ago. The family maximum is calculated using a formula based on your PIA, and it differs for everyone. In my case, with my PIA of $2,400, my family max was about 175% of that, or $4,200. Since I filed at 62, I got about $1,680, which left $2,520 to be split between my two kids. So instead of each getting $1,200 (50% of my PIA), they each received about $1,260. The SSA calculations can be confusing - when you apply, they'll work out the exact amounts for you.

CAREFUL HERE!!! The SSA website makes this sound simple but it's NOT. When I filed early with kids, there were TONS of complications. The family maximum calculation is bizarre and they NEVER explain it clearly. Also, they WILL count any work income against your benefits AND possibly your kids' benefits depending on how much you earn. I got hit with an overpayment notice for $8,900 because I didn't understand the earnings limit would affect my KIDS' benefits too!!! Make sure you understand EVERYTHING before you apply!

I recommend calling the SSA directly to get the exact numbers for your situation. Your children will be eligible for dependent benefits when you start receiving retirement, but the family maximum will limit the total. Generally, your benefit reduction for filing early won't reduce their benefits, but the family maximum applies to the combined total. The best approach is to have the SSA calculate these amounts based on your specific earning record - they can tell you exactly what to expect. Call early in the morning to avoid long wait times.

Has anyone mentioned that these child benefits STOP when they turn 18 (or 19 if still in high school)??? This is CRUCIAL to your planning! If you can hold out till 67, you'll get your FULL benefit FOREVER instead of permanent 30% reduction, and by then your kids will be adults anyway and not eligible. Run the NUMBERS carefully!!!

my friend tried to do this and got denied because she couldn't prove the kids were hers?? she had different last names on birth certificates because of remarriage stuff. make sure u have all ur documents ready!!

dont forget these benefits are taxable if ur income is high enough! and the kids benefits will count as YOUR income for tax purposes i think

Thanks everyone for the helpful responses! I'm going to create my my Social Security account today to check my projected benefit amounts and the family maximum. Then I'll try to speak with an SSA representative to get exact figures before making my decision. The mix of health issues, raising two kids, and long-term financial planning makes this complicated, but your advice has been invaluable in understanding how this works!