Social security provides benefits for retirees kids under 18 and

[dkf]

Surviving dependent parents over 62? I had no idea.

First of all if you retire at 65 and your kid is under 18 you were pretty old when you had him/her.

Who knew.

[haele]

1. No, it's if a parent who has paid into Social security dies -

or becomes eligible for SSDI, his or her children under 18 are eliglble for SSI supplimental to help provide for them until they turn 19 so long as the remaining parent does not remarry. This also applies to orphans until they are adopted.

And a spouse is entitled to a deceased spouse's SSI when he or she becomes eligible to collect it - not before, so it doesn't "pay" for him or her not to re-marry or go on welfare unless there's kids that can collect. But considering the kids are only entitled to 1/2 of what the SSI entitlement would be, it's not that much, basically pays for the extra bedroom required and the food. Unless you're talking about teenage boys; then it just pays for the food.

It's been that way for a long time - one of my friends in gradeschool back in the 60's was collecting SSI because her father had died. Her mom still worked, and the grandmother moved in with them to help out.

Haele

[dkf]

2. They don't have to die. They can retire and kids under 18 get benefits.

I knew about survivor benefits.

[haele]

3. That makes sense if grandma or grandpa ended up with the kids -

There's unfortunatly more than a couple households where the grandparents have had to adopt their grandchildren; I'd have a problem forcing a 67 or 70 year old to continue working to take care of their minor grandchildren - or any other adoptee when they are eligible for SSI.

Haele