Social Security Caregiver Credit Act of 2026

The Social Security Caregiver Credit Act of 2026 would allow unpaid family members who care for chronically dependent relatives to earn Social Security credits as if they were working. To qualify, a caregiver must provide at least 80 hours of care per month to a relative under age 12 or an adult with significant daily needs, such as help with eating, bathing, or managing finances. The law treats these caregiving months as if the individual earned wages, potentially increasing their future retirement benefits or those of their surviving family members. Starting in 2027, caregivers would need to submit an application with medical documentation and certify their status annually to receive these deemed wages.