Spousal & Divorced Benefits
Understanding Child-in-Care Spousal Social Security Benefits
Verified against SSA POMS as of September 8, 2026
The short answer
Child-in-care spousal benefits allow a spouse to receive Social Security spousal benefits before age 62 if they have in their care the worker's child who is under age 16 or disabled and entitled to child's benefits.
A spouse who is age 62 but under full retirement age does not need a child in care to qualify for spousal benefits. However, the spousal benefit is not reduced for age for any month the spouse has a qualifying child in care.
See RS 01310.001 & RS 00615.201 for details
Eligibility Criteria for Child-in-Care Spousal Benefits
For a spouse under age 62 to qualify based on having a child in care:
- * The child must be the worker's child;
- * The child must be under age 16 or disabled;
- * The child must be entitled to Social Security child's benefits; and
- * The spouse must meet SSA's requirements for having the child in their care.
For initial entitlement of a spouse under age 62, the child must be entitled on the worker's earnings record, although the child may actually receive benefits on another earnings record. Once the spouse is entitled, unreduced benefits can continue as long as the spouse has the worker's entitled child in care, even if the child's benefits are payable on another earnings record.
RS 01310.001 View source ›Definition of a Child in Care
For child-in-care purposes, the child must be:
- * Under age 16; or
- * Age 16 or older and disabled.
Having a child living in the household is not by itself enough to satisfy the child-in-care requirement. SSA looks at the care provided by the claimant.
For a child under age 16 or a child with a mental disability, the claimant must exercise parental control and responsibility. For a child age 16 or older with a physical disability, the claimant must perform personal services for the child.
RS 01310.001 View source ›Unreduced Benefits with a Child in Care
Spousal benefits are not reduced for age for any month the spouse has the worker's entitled child in care.
This means:
- * A spouse under age 62 can receive an unreduced spousal benefit based on having a qualifying child in care; and
- * A spouse age 62 to FRA can continue to receive an unreduced spousal benefit for months in which they have a qualifying child in care, even though an aged-spouse benefit beginning before FRA would otherwise be reduced.
For a spouse age 62 to FRA, the child may be entitled to child's benefits on any earnings record.
RS 00202.020 View source ›RS 00615.201When Child-in-Care Benefits End
For a spouse under age 62, child-in-care spousal benefits end when there is no longer an entitled child under age 16 or disabled in the spouse's care. If the youngest child reaches age 16 and is not disabled, the spouse's entitlement based on child-in-care ends.
If the child is disabled, benefits can continue after the child reaches age 16 as long as the child meets SSA's disability requirements and the spouse continues to meet the child-in-care requirements. SSA begins development of the child's disability before age 16 when continued entitlement may depend on it.
A spouse who is already age 62 or older when child-in-care ends may qualify for an aged-spouse benefit. If the spouse is still under FRA, the aged-spouse benefit may be subject to an early-filing reduction.
RS 00202.040RS 00202.090RS 00202.095Frequently asked
Does the child have to be receiving benefits for the spouse to qualify for child-in-care benefits?
The child must be entitled to child's benefits. For a spouse under age 62 initially qualifying based on child-in-care, the child must be entitled on the worker's earnings record, although the child may actually receive benefits on another earnings record.
Does the child-in-care benefit end when the child turns 16?
Yes, unless the child is disabled and the spouse continues to meet SSA's child-in-care requirements. SSA normally notifies the spouse before the youngest child reaches age 16 that benefits will end unless continued entitlement can be established based on the child's disability.
What happens if I am already age 62 when my child-in-care status ends?
You may continue to qualify as an aged spouse, but if you are under FRA, your spousal benefit may become subject to an early-filing reduction. SSA's procedures provide for the spouse to elect reduced benefits when child-in-care ends before FRA.
Does the child have to live with me to be considered in my care?
Not necessarily. SSA determines whether a child is in care based on factors such as whether the claimant exercises parental control and responsibility or provides required personal services. Living together can establish child-in-care in many circumstances, but the determination is based on SSA's in-care rules rather than simply sharing the same address.
What relationship must the child have to the worker?
The child must qualify as the worker’s child under Social Security rules. This can include a biological child, legally adopted child, or stepchild. Certain other relationships, such as a dependent grandchild or step-grandchild, may also qualify if additional Social Security relationship and dependency requirements are met.