Benefits for dependent children stop the month before the child turns 19 or the first month in which the child is not a full-time student, whichever is earlier. (There are different rules for dependent children with disabilities.) Social Security benefits also stop if the child does any of the following:
- Enters into marriage
- Stops attending school
- Reduces school attendance to less than full-time
- Changes schools
- An employer pays for the child to attend school
- The child is convicted of a crime
For more information about how high school graduation could affect benefits and what forms you may need to complete to continue benefits see the Social Security Administration Web site at http://socialsecurity.gov/schoolofficials/faqs_school.htm#a0=6
About ksindell
Kathleen Sindell, Ph.D. is the author of numerous academic, popular, and professional finance articles, Web sites, proposals, and books. This includes the bestselling reference book, "Investing Online for Dummies, Eds 1-5" (listed for two consecutive years on the Wall Street Journal's Bestselling Business Book List). Her most recent book "Social Security: Maximize your Benefits" has been listed in Amazon's Top 100 Bestselling Retirement Planning Books. It is important to note that "Social Security: Maximize Your Benefits, 2nd Edition" was just released.
Sindell has an in-depth understanding of the financial services industry and has held Series 7, 63, and 65 licenses. Dr. Sindell is regularly tapped as a financial services expert on ABC World News, The Nightly Business Report, and at popular online and print outlets. Kathleen Sindell, Ph.D. is a member of the Board of Directors for the Financial Planning Association, National Capital Area (FPA NCA), is on the Editorial Advisory Panel of the Journal of Financial Planning, and is Co-Chair of the Metro Washington Financial Planning Day. Sindell is a Course Chair II, CFP Program Academic Officer, and adjunct full-professor at the University of Maryland, UMUC, School of Undergraduate Studies.
Contact Information: ksindell@kathleensindell.com or 703-299-1700
