New Social Security Bill Could Boost Benefits for Caregivers

A new proposal in Congress could change how Social Security benefits are calculated for millions of Americans who step away from work to care for family members.

The plan, called the Social Security Caregiver Credit Act of 2026, aims to give unpaid caregivers credit for the years they spend providing care, something the current system does not fully recognize.

Why this bill matters

Right now, benefits from the Social Security Administration are based on your 35 highest-earning years.

If you stop working or reduce hours to care for someone:

• Those years may count as low or zero income

• Your future Social Security payments can be permanently lower

This affects people who care for:

• Children

• Aging parents

• Disabled spouses

• Other dependent family members

What the new bill would change

The proposal would allow eligible caregivers to receive credit toward Social Security even if they are not earning wages.

Key details:

• Up to 5 years of caregiving credits

• Must provide at least 80 hours per month of care

• Applies to care for children under 12 or dependent adults

Instead of counting those years as zero income, the system would assign “deemed wages” to help protect future benefits.

Read: VA Benefits May 2026: Payment Schedule, Dates, and What Veterans Should Expect

Who could benefit the most

While the bill applies to all caregivers, experts say it could have a larger impact on women.

That’s because:

• Women are more likely to leave work for caregiving

• They are more likely to have gaps in earnings

• Lower lifetime earnings can reduce retirement benefits

This change could help reduce long-term income gaps in retirement.

Why caregiving is being reconsidered

Lawmakers and advocacy groups argue that unpaid caregiving is real work, even if it is not paid.

Millions of Americans provide care each year, often saving families and healthcare systems significant costs.

Under the current system, however, that work is not reflected in Social Security calculations.

What happens next

The bill has been introduced in Congress but has not yet been passed.

Like similar proposals in the past, it faces challenges:

• Concerns about Social Security funding

• Debate over expanding benefits

• The need for approval in both the House and Senate

If approved, the change would apply to future benefit calculations rather than immediate payments.

Bottom line

The proposed caregiver credit could help millions avoid lower Social Security benefits caused by time spent out of the workforce.

While not yet law, it signals a shift toward recognizing unpaid caregiving as work that deserves long-term financial protection.

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