How can my family maximize our Social Security benefits?
Published: July 7, 2025Full question: Our daughter is 36 years old and disabled since birth. She receives SSI and I heard about child-in-care benefits. I am 66 and turn 67 this December and my wife is 64 turning 65 next month and neither of us are retired. How can we maximize our social security benefits immediately?
Hi there,
Thank you for reaching out to us regarding your Social Security benefits and your daughter’s situation.
Given that your daughter is disabled and has been since birth, she may be eligible for child benefits on your Social Security record. There are strategies available to maximize your family Social Security benefits immediately.
One option could be for one of you to file for retirement benefits now, which could potentially allow your daughter to receive child benefits based on that parent’s record. The other spouse could then delay their benefits to allow them to grow until a later age, maximizing the delayed retirement credits.
To explore the best strategy for your family, I recommend scheduling a consultation with a Registered Social Security Analyst (RSSA). An RSSA can provide a detailed analysis of your situation and guide you through the best options for claiming your benefits. You can find an RSSA near you here.
All the best,
Martha and team