Social Security Caregiver Credit Act of 2023
Key claim: Unpaid family caregivers who provide at least 80 hours of care a month to dependent relatives could receive up to five years of credited wages toward their Social Security benefits, unless they already qualify for a larger amount.
Abstract
(S1211 · 118th Congress) Social Security Caregiver Credit Act of 2023 This bill credits certain individuals who provide at least 80 hours of care per month to dependent relatives without monetary compensation with up to five years of deemed wages (determined by a specified formula) for purposes of determining their Social Security benefit amounts. However, if an individual is otherwise entitled to a larger benefit amount, this provision shall not apply. Latest action (2023-04-19): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Why this matters
Unpaid family caregiving is a significant form of unrecognized labor that reduces workers’ lifetime earnings records and, consequently, their eventual Social Security benefits. Deemed-wage credits would translate caregiving hours into countable earnings, altering the retirement security calculus for workers—disproportionately women—who leave or reduce paid employment to care for relatives. The bill remains at introduction stage with no legal effect, but signals ongoing legislative interest in valuing caregiving within the wage-based social insurance system.