Do I need to list adult children on Social Security retirement application at 62?

You only need to list your minor children (the 7 and 9 year olds). The reason they ask is because dependent children of retired workers can receive benefits until they turn 18 (or 19 if still in high school). Your adult children don't qualify for benefits on your record unless they have a disability that began before age 22.

I just went through this exact same thing last year when I filed at 62! The SSA only cares about your minor kids because THEY might be eligible for benefits now that you're retiring. Your adult kids don't matter to them at all unless they're disabled (which it doesn't sound like they are). Just list the two young ones - that's what I did with my 12 year old.

list only the kids under 18, thats all they care about. the grown kids dont matter for your application unless their disabled.

When I applied last year, I spent THREE HOURS trying to get through to a real person at Social Security to ask this exact same question!! So frustrating! The application is so unclear about this. I tried calling like 20 times and kept getting disconnected. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an agent in about 15 minutes. They have this service where they wait on hold with SSA and call you when an agent picks up. Saved me so much time and stress! You can see how it works at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU if you're interested. The agent told me to only list my minor children, not my adult ones.

Only list your minor children (the 7 and 9 year olds). This is important because: 1. Children under 18 may be eligible for benefits on your record (generally 50% of your PIA) 2. The family maximum benefit (FMB) calculations only apply to eligible dependents 3. Adult children are only relevant if they became disabled before age 22 Make sure you have their birth certificates and Social Security cards ready. Also, something to consider: while you're taking benefits early at 62 (which means a permanent reduction to about 70% of your full retirement age benefit), your minor children can't receive benefits on your record until you actually start collecting. So the timing makes sense if you need the money now for family expenses.

LOL when I filed, I listed ALL my kids including my 42-year old daughter and the SSA lady called me and was like "ummm we just need the minor ones" 🤦‍♀️ The form is SO confusing!!!

I made the SAME MISTAKE on my application!!! I listed ALL SIX of my kids, even the grown ones. The SSA reviewer had to call me and get it straightened out which delayed my approval by TWO WEEKS!!!! They really need to make these forms clearer!!!! The SSA system is SUCH a mess - typical government bureaucracy!!!

wait so your kids can get money too??? I never knew that! I took ss at 62 last year and didn't put my 16yo son on the form cause I didn't understand what they were asking ugh

I just want to thank everyone for their helpful responses! I'm going to list only my 7 and 9 year old children on the application. I had no idea they might qualify for benefits too - that's going to be a huge help with their school expenses. I feel much better about submitting my application now.