Ask Larry

My last son is turning 18 in October and benefits for social security end in October...what happens to the money and does it come back to me or does it just end.....thank you

Hi,

Your son's benefits will simply stop being paid when he's no longer eligible. Child benefits paid from the record of a living parent are auxiliary benefits. In other words, they are an extra benefit paid in addition to the parent's own benefit rate. Auxiliary benefits are only paid if an eligible family member qualifies for such benefits.

The payment of auxiliary benefits does not reduce the benefit amount payable to the worker from whose record the benefits are paid. Therefore, since your son's benefits had no effect on your benefit rate in the first place, your benefit rate won't change as a result of your son's payments stopping.

Best, Jerry