Sponsors (2)
The bill improves retirement security and federal recognition for unpaid and some paid caregivers by adding Social Security credits, but does so at meaningful fiscal and administrative cost that could strain trust funds, increase complexity, and leave some caregivers (including certain veterans and very long-term caregivers) under-credited.
Unpaid family caregivers (parents, family members caring for people with disabilities or elderly relatives) gain up to 60 months of credited earnings that increase their future Social Security retirement, spousal benefits, and lump-sum death payments, improving retirement security for long-term caregivers.
Professional home care providers who were previously excluded from Social Security/Medicare eligibility can gain access to Social Security retirement and Medicare benefits, improving financial and health coverage for paid caregivers and the people they serve.
The bill elevates caregiving as a recognized public policy priority, which can catalyze further federal and state policies to support care for children, the ill, disabled, and elderly.
Taxpayers and current/future beneficiaries face higher federal costs because expanding eligibility and creating caregiver credits increases Social Security/Medicare program expenses, which may create pressure for higher taxes or benefit offsets.
Seniors and people with disabilities face increased risk to OASI/DI trust fund solvency because adding credits and beneficiaries can accelerate depletion timelines if not offset, potentially threatening long-term benefit stability.
State and local governments and caregivers will face administrative complexity and paperwork: implementing new eligibility rules requires changes to payroll/benefit systems and caregivers must submit applications, physician documentation, and periodic certifications.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Treats qualifying months of unpaid care for certain dependent relatives as deemed wages for Social Security benefit calculations, up to 60 months, effective after Dec 2026.
Official title: Amend title II of the Social Security Act to credit individuals serving as caregivers of dependent relatives with deemed wages for up to five years of such service.
Introduced April 27, 2026 by Christopher Murphy · Last progress April 27, 2026
Creates a new Social Security credit that treats months spent providing substantial unpaid care to certain dependent relatives as "deemed wages" for Social Security benefit calculations. Caregivers who provide at least 80 hours of unpaid care in a month for a chronically dependent relative may receive up to 60 qualifying months of credited earnings (calculated relative to the national average wage index), beginning for months after December 2026; the deemed wages are used to compute benefits and lump-sum death payments except where they would reduce benefits.