No question, answer, or discussion of any kind facilitated on this site is confidential or constitutes financial or legal advice. Questions answered are selected based on general consumer interest, and not all are addressed. Questions and answers may be displayed online and archived by Wealthtender. To make Wealthtender free for readers, we earn money from advertisers, including financial professionals and firms that pay to be featured. This creates a conflict of interest when we favor their promotion over others. Wealthtender is not a client of these financial services providers. Learn more.
Thanks for your question, and congratulations on your new family dynamic.
Generally speaking, minor children may be eligible for Social Security benefits based on a parent’s record—including adopted children—but there are a few important conditions:
Key Considerations:
-
The child must typically be unmarried and under age 18 (or 19 if still in high school).
-
The parent must be receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits.
-
Adopted children are usually treated the same as biological children for benefit purposes.
-
However, citizenship or residency requirements can apply, especially if the child is living outside the U.S.
Next Steps:
The Social Security Administration (SSA) reviews these situations case-by-case. To get accurate guidance:
-
Contact SSA directly, either by phone or at a local office.
-
Be prepared to provide documents related to the adoption, residency, and citizenship.
It’s a complex area, and SSA is the best source to clarify your specific situation.