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Social Security Caregiver Credit: Recognizing Unpaid Care Work for Retirement Benefits

This act aims to credit unpaid caregiving work for dependent relatives towards Social Security benefits, allowing caregivers to accrue deemed wages for up to five years of service. This will help improve the retirement security of individuals who often sacrifice their careers to provide essential care, ensuring they receive higher Social Security payments in the future. The changes apply to care for children under 12 or chronically dependent individuals.
Key points
Caregivers of dependent relatives (children under 12, chronically dependent individuals) can receive up to 5 years of deemed wages for Social Security purposes.
For each qualifying month of unpaid care, an amount equal to 50% of the national average wage index will be credited towards Social Security benefits.
To qualify, individuals must apply to the Social Security Administration and provide documentation verifying the dependent relative's status.
The act seeks to enhance the financial and retirement security of individuals providing essential family care.
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Additional Information
Print number: 117_S_1955
Sponsor: Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]
Process start date: 2021-05-28
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Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-05-20
Source data: api.congress.gov
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OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

Social Security Caregiver Credit Act of 2021

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 117_S_1955.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the Senate.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2021-05-28.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Caregivers of dependent relatives (children under 12, chronically dependent individuals) can receive up to 5 years of deemed wages for Social Security purposes.
  • For each qualifying month of unpaid care, an amount equal to 50% of the national average wage index will be credited towards Social Security benefits.
  • To qualify, individuals must apply to the Social Security Administration and provide documentation verifying the dependent relative's status.
  • The act seeks to enhance the financial and retirement security of individuals providing essential family care.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Introduced in Senate

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-29.

CATEGORIES

Benefits Family