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Bill

HR 8490

Social Security Caregiver Credit Act of 2026

119th Congress Introduced by André Carson and 4 co-sponsors

The bill lets caregivers for dependent relatives earn Social Security credits by treating up to five years of caregiving as deemed wages toward retirement benefits.

Introduced in House
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 8490

Summary of HR 8490 (119th Congress)

Title

To amend title II of the Social Security Act to credit individuals serving as caregivers of dependent relatives with deemed wages for up to five years of such service.

Purpose and intent

  • The bill aims to modify the Social Security Act to recognize paid and unpaid caregiving work performed by individuals caring for dependent relatives.
  • It would allow those caregivers to receive “deemed wages” for up to five years of service, thereby earning credited employment toward Social Security benefits.
  • The underlying goal is to strengthen retirement security for family caregivers who may not have traditional employment histories or sufficient earnings to qualify for Social Security benefits on their own.

Key provisions (highlights)

  • Eligibility for deemed wages: The bill creates a mechanism by which individuals serving as caregivers for dependent relatives can have their caregiving activities treated as wages for the purpose of Social Security credits.
  • Duration limit: Credits would be available for up to five years of caregiving service.
  • Basis of credit: Wages credited would count toward the earnings record used to determine Social Security benefits, potentially increasing future retirement, disability, or survivor benefits.
  • Relation to title II: The changes would be incorporated into Title II of the Social Security Act, which governs Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI).

Who would be affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: Individuals who provide care for dependent relatives (e.g., family members) and lack sufficient earnings history to qualify for Social Security benefits on their own.
  • Indirect beneficiaries: Dependent relatives receiving long-term care, who may benefit from the improved financial security of their caregivers.
  • Administration and compliance: The Social Security Administration (SSA) would administer the new deeming mechanism, verify caregiving periods, and maintain records of deemed wages.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and referral: The bill was introduced in the House and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means (April 23, 2026).
  • Status: As of the latest action, it has been introduced and sent to the Ways and Means Committee for consideration; no final passage status provided in the record.
  • Next steps: If reported out of committee, the bill would proceed to floor consideration in the House, move through Senate actions, and potential conference if differences arise before any final enacted law.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Financial security: Could broaden access to Social Security benefits for caregivers who previously had limited or irregular work histories.
  • Budget and fiscal impact: The deeming provision would affect Social Security’s actuarial calculations by increasing credited earnings for a new class of workers, with implications for future benefit liabilities and trust fund projections.
  • Administrative considerations: Requires clearly defined criteria for what constitutes caregiving, documentation requirements, and safeguards against abuse or misreporting.
  • Policy trade-offs: Balances recognizing unpaid caregiving labor with the long-term costs to the Social Security program.

If you’d like, I can provide a comparison with existing caregiver credit proposals or estimate potential impact using hypothetical caregiver scenarios.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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