Social Security Policy Tool

Caregiver Credit Calculator

Illustrates how Social Security caregiver credits affect an individual's monthly retirement benefit. Based on OACT provision B7.3: deemed earnings at ½ the average wage index (~/yr in 2025) for up to 5 years of caregiving for children under 6.

Worker Profile

Annual Earnings

Pre-caregiving & post-caregiving wage

$15,000$168,600

Part-Time Earnings During Caregiving

$0 = fully out of workforce

$0$40,000

Work Start Age

1835

Retirement Age

6270

Years of Caregiving

Total years out of / reduced in workforce

112

Years of Credit (Policy Parameter)

S.1211 allows up to 5. OACT scored 5. Adjust to model alternatives.

Monthly Benefit Without Credit

At full retirement age

Monthly Benefit With Credit
At full retirement age

Monthly Increase

Technical notes. This calculator uses the 2025 PIA bend points ($1,226 / $7,391) and computes benefits from the highest 35 years of earnings. Deemed wages are set at ½ the 2025 AWI per OACT provision B7.3. Earnings are not indexed for wage growth (all values in 2025 dollars). The credit replaces the lowest-earning years if they fall below the deemed wage amount. This is an illustrative tool — actual benefits depend on full indexed earnings history, claiming age adjustments, and SSA's exact computation methods. Lifetime estimate assumes benefits received from retirement age to age 85.

Source data: SSA Office of the Chief Actuary, Provision B7.3 (Run 305), September 2025.
Tool created for the Family Policy Lab at Capita.