Social Security Could Increase for Millions of Parents Under New Bill
A new bill called the Social Security Caregiver Credit Act of 2026 aims to increase Social Security benefits for stay-at-home parents and caregivers by crediting unpaid caregiving years toward retirement calculations. Currently, time spent out of the workforce caring for children can reduce future Social Security payments, which are based on a person's 35 highest-earning years. The proposal would allow up to five years of caregiving to count toward benefits, potentially helping millions of parents and caregivers. The bill has Democratic support but faces challenges in gaining bipartisan approval amid concerns over Social Security's financial stability.
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By Jenni FinkSenior Editor, PoliticsShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberSee more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.A new bill in Congress, titled the Social Security Caregiver Credit Act of 2026, would change how Social Security benefits are calculated, meaning millions of parents could end up with larger payments when they retire.After years of seeing a decline in stay-at-home mothers, the United States started seeing the number of women leaving the workforce to raise children rise in 2014.
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