Social Security Q & A

Q: I have two minor children at home and I plan to retire this fall. Will my children be eligible for monthly Social Security benefits after I retire?

A: Monthly Social Security payments may be made to your children if one of the following applies:

• They are unmarried and under age 18.

• Age 18 or 19 and still in high school.

• Age 18 or older, became disabled before age 22, and continue to be disabled.

Children who may qualify include a biological child, adopted child, or dependent stepchild. (In some cases, your grandchild also could be eligible for benefits on your record if you are supporting them.) For more information, see our online publication, Benefits For Children, at www.ssa.gov/pubs.

Q: I’m retiring early, at age 62, and I receive investment income from a rental property I own. Does investment income count as earnings?

A: No. We count only the wages you earn from a job or your net profit if you’re self-employed. Non-work income such as annuities, investment income, interest, capital gains, and other government benefits are not counted and will not affect your Social Security benefits. Most pensions will not affect your benefits. However, your benefit may be affected by government pensions earned through work on which you did not pay Social Security tax. You can retire online at www.ssa.gov. For more information, call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

Read “In Good Health — Rochester’s Healthcare newpaper” for a monthly column about Social Security.