Hi! Thank you so much in advance for your answer.

In 2005 I married a widower who has two daughters, one of which has a permanent disability. He and the girls received benefits based on his diseased wife SS account until the girls each turned 18. Our youngest, who is now 21 years old born January 1996, lives with us and continues receiving benefits - now based on her disability. She is no longer in school, which means that I will now stay home and be her primary caregiver. We are in the process to move to the state of PA - where my husband has found employment - after a period of unemployment and a personal financial crisis that resulted in the loss of property & savings and my husband had to file bankruptcy (chapter 7) - which although we are starting from zero, also means we have a clean slate). Recently we lived in Florida for about 3 years and more recently 1 year in Puerto Rico. Back on the subject of my child, my husband is her biological dad and he is 53 years old born August 1963, I am her step mother (since she was 14 years old) and I am 50 years old - born December 1966, and both of us are her legal guardians (state of FL - since she was 18 years old - in PR she is consider a minor until the age of 21). In regards to taxes we have filed jointly since 2012 and included her as our dependent. And in regards to SS contributions, we both have been previously married, and we both have contributed for at least 20 years of employment each.

I would like to know your recommendation regarding social security benefits for caregivers (is there something I can qualify for as I care for my step-daughter at home?) and also long term for us as we approach retirement (would it make more sense to find some way to generate income from home and continue contributing to SS). Also, if I can qualify to receive caregivers benefits, is there a cap on supplemental income that I could receive to supplement any caregiver income? How about my husband's income - could the annual income he generates affect these benefits - part of his pay will be commission based?
Again, thank you so much for your time and response.

Hi,

You couldn't qualify for Social Security benefits simply of the basis of having an eligible child in your care. Your stepdaughter is drawing benefits on her deceased mother's record, and you wouldn't qualify for benefits on that account.

When your husband files for his Social Security benefits, it's possible that you could then receive spousal benefits on the basis of having an eligible child in your care. But, unless he becomes disabled he wouldn't qualify for retirement benefits until at least age 62.

The best filing strategy for you and your husband will depend on a number of factors, including your relative retirement benefit rates and earnings. You may want to consider using the maximization software available on this website in order to explore your options and determine the best plan.

Best, Jerry