What mother's benefits are and who receives them
A mother's benefit (or father's benefit) is a Social Security payment made to a parent who is caring for a child who receives Social Security benefits. You do not have to be retired or disabled yourself to receive this payment — you receive it because you are the parent of a child under 16 (or 19 if still in high school) who is getting benefits based on a parent's retirement, disability, or death.
The most common situation is when a worker dies and leaves behind young children. Social Security pays the children a benefit based on that parent's earnings record, and it also pays the surviving parent (the mother or father) a benefit for caring for those children. The parent's benefit stops when the youngest child turns 16, even though the children's benefits continue until age 18 or 19.
Mother's benefits can also be paid when a worker becomes disabled and has young children, or when a worker retires early and has young children in the home. The rules are the same regardless of which event triggered the child's benefit.
Key Takeaways
- Mother's benefits are paid to a parent caring for a child under 16 who receives Social Security based on a parent's work record.
- The parent does not need to have worked or paid Social Security taxes to receive this benefit — it is based on the child's may be able to access.
- The parent's benefit stops when the youngest child turns 16, but the children's benefits continue until age 18 or 19.
- The total family benefit is capped at a percentage of the worker's earnings record, so adding a parent's benefit may reduce what each family member receives.
How the payment amount is calculated
The amount a parent receives is a percentage of the worker's primary insurance amount — the base benefit the worker would receive at full retirement age. Social Security typically pays a parent about 75 percent of that amount, though the exact percentage can vary.
However, there is a family maximum. Social Security will not pay out more than a set percentage of the worker's earnings record to the family as a whole — usually between 150 and 180 percent of the worker's primary insurance amount. If the total of all family members' benefits would exceed this cap, each person's benefit is reduced proportionally.
For example, if a worker dies and leaves behind two children and a surviving spouse caring for those children, Social Security calculates what each person would receive individually. If those amounts add up to more than the family maximum, the agency reduces each benefit by the same percentage so the total stays within the cap. The worker's own benefit (if retired) is never reduced, but all other family members' benefits are.
When a parent stops receiving mother's benefits
A parent's benefit ends the month after the youngest child turns 16. At that point, the parent is no longer considered a caregiver under Social Security rules, even if older children are still receiving benefits.
The benefit also ends if the parent remarries, with one exception: if the parent remarries after age 60 (or age 50 if disabled), the benefit continues. If the parent remarries before those ages, the benefit stops when ready.
A parent can also choose to stop receiving benefits at any time by contacting Social Security directly. This is rare, but it can affect future benefits if the parent later becomes disabled or reaches retirement age.
How mother's benefits differ from spousal benefits
Mother's benefits and spousal benefits are different payments based on different rules. A spousal benefit is paid to a spouse (or ex-spouse) of a retired or disabled worker, and it is based on the spouse's age and marital status. A mother's benefit is paid to a parent caring for a child, regardless of the parent's age.
A parent caring for a child under 16 can receive a mother's benefit even at age 30 or 35. A spouse of the same age would not receive a spousal benefit unless they are caring for a child under 16 — in which case they would receive a mother's or father's benefit instead.
The two benefits cannot be received at the same time. If a parent is both a spouse and a caregiver, Social Security pays whichever benefit is higher.
What happens when the child turns 16
When the youngest child turns 16, the parent's benefit stops. The children's benefits continue until they turn 18 (or 19 if still in high school full-time). The children do not lose their benefits — only the parent does.
At that point, the parent may be able to receive a different benefit if they meet the rules for it. For example, if the parent is now old enough, they might receive a spousal benefit or a retirement benefit on their own work record. A parent who became disabled while caring for the child might also receive a disabled adult child benefit if they meet Social Security's definition of disability.
The parent should contact Social Security before the youngest child's 16th birthday to understand what options may be available after the mother's benefit ends.
How to report changes that affect mother's benefits
A parent receiving mother's benefits must report certain changes to Social Security, because they can affect the payment. The most important changes are: the youngest child turning 16, the parent remarrying, the parent moving out of the country, or the child no longer being in the parent's care.
Changes should be reported to Social Security within 30 days. A parent can report changes online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at a local Social Security office. Social Security will explain how the change affects the benefit and whether the payment amount will change.
If a parent does not report a change and continues to receive benefits they are no longer may have access to to, Social Security may ask for the money back. Reporting changes promptly protects both the parent and the child's benefits.
Mother's benefits and work income
A parent receiving mother's benefits can work and earn income without losing the benefit, as long as they are under full retirement age. There is no earnings limit for mother's benefits the way there is for retirement benefits.
However, if the parent is also receiving retirement or disability benefits on their own record, those benefits may be reduced if earnings are high enough. The parent should contact Social Security to understand how work income might affect their specific situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I receive mother's benefits if I never worked?
Yes. Mother's benefits are based on your child's may be able to access, not your own work history. You do not need to have paid Social Security taxes or earned credits to receive this benefit. The payment comes from your child's benefit entitlement.
What if I remarry after my child's other parent dies?
If you remarry before age 60, your mother's benefit stops. If you remarry at age 60 or older, the benefit continues. Some parents choose to delay remarriage until they reach 60 to keep the benefit, though this is a personal decision that depends on your circumstances.
Do my children lose their benefits when I stop receiving mother's benefits?
No. Your children's benefits continue until they turn 18 (or 19 if in high school). Only your benefit as the caregiver stops when the youngest child turns 16. The children are not affected.
Can I receive mother's benefits and spousal benefits at the same time?
No, you can receive only one benefit at a time. Social Security pays whichever amount is higher. If you are caring for a child under 16, you typically receive the mother's benefit. Once that child turns 16, you may become may be able to access for a spousal benefit if you meet the age and marital status rules.
What if my child stops living with me?
You must report this change to Social Security. If the child is no longer in your care, you are no longer the caregiver and your benefit will stop. The child's benefit is not affected by where they live, as long as they remain in the United States.