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119-s-4396119th CongressWALLET

Social Security Caregiver Credit Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would treat months spent caring for a dependent relative as if the caregiver had earned wages so those months count toward Social Security benefit calculations.

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  • Caregivers and families: Qualifying months of caregiving are counted as wages beginning December 2026, which can raise monthly Social Security benefits and lump-sum death payments for caregivers who lack enough earnings history. The bill caps counted months to the most recent 60 months.
  • Benefit calculation and limits: The deemed wage for a qualifying month is 50 percent of the national average wage index for months with no actual wages and is adjusted where the caregiver also has earnings. Deeming cannot produce a larger benefit than would otherwise be payable.
  • Administration and evidence: The law requires regulations within one year, an application and certification process, documentation of the dependent relative, medical verification for chronically dependent non-child relatives, and ongoing certification for additional months.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Deemed Social Security Wages for Caregivers

If enacted, this would treat months after December 2026 when you provide at least 80 hours of unpaid care to a dependent relative as Social Security wages. For months with no actual pay, you would be treated as earning 50% of the national average wage from two years earlier. For months with some actual pay, the treated amount would be half that average minus half your actual pay, not below zero. Only your last 60 qualifying months would be counted. Deeming would not be applied if it would produce a larger monthly benefit or lump-sum death payment than without deeming. You would need to give dependent-identifying information, a doctor’s note for non-child dependents, and follow monthly or up-to-12-month certification rules. The Commissioner would have to issue implementing regulations within one year after enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]

CT • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 4/27/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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