Gillibrand, Murphy Introduce Bicameral Bill To Protect Retirement Security For Unpaid Caregivers

Over 4 million New Yorkers served as caregivers in 2025

U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) reintroduced bicameral legislation to provide retirement compensation for individuals who leave the workforce to care for their loved ones.

The Social Security Caregiver Credit Act would provide five years of Social Security retirement credits to caregivers who spend at least 80 hours per month providing care to a dependent relative. By allowing caregivers to earn Social Security Credits while they are out of the formal workforce, this legislation recognizes the economic value of care work and would aid millions of Americans' long-term financial security. U.S. Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL-10) introduced companion legislation in the House.

"Caregiving for an aging parent, relative with a disability, or ailing loved one is a full-time job," said Senator Gillibrand. "Individuals who leave the workforce to care for their loved ones should receive compensation for that critical work. This commonsense bill would ensure eligible caregivers receive essential Social Security benefits in retirement, helping them to continue to provide for themselves and their families after leaving their jobs. As the top Democrat on the Senate Aging Committee, I am committed to getting this legislation passed."

"Caregivers shouldn't lose out on Social Security benefits because they step away from the workforce to care for a loved one," said Senator Murphy. "Caregiving is work, and it's time we start treating it that way. This legislation would make clear that the selfless decision to care for a family member no longer jeopardizes if and when you can retire."

"The cost of a care facility or in-home nurse is simply out of reach for many American families caring for a relative in need. Too often, families must risk their own financial security when doing what we all would do - providing essential care for spouses, parents, grandparents, or children," said Representative Schneider. "The Social Security Caregiver Credit Act would help ensure that people who step away from the workforce to care for loved ones aren't penalized in retirement."

4.1 million New Yorkers served as caregivers in 2025, providing more than 2.6 billion hours of hands-on care to family members. Nationwide, 63 million American adults-nearly a quarter of the U.S. adult population-provide care to adults or children with a medical condition or disability. Many of those individuals significantly reduce their work hours or leave the workforce entirely to provide care for a dependent relative at some point in their career. The Social Security Caregiver Credit Act would lower the financial stakes for individuals facing the difficult choice between continuing their careers or caring for their loved ones.

Specifically, this legislation would:

1. Provide eligible caregivers with up to five years of deemed wages for Social Security benefit calculations, if they spend at least 80 hours a month caring for a dependent under 12 or a chronically dependent relative.
2. Apply to qualifying caregivers who provide care without receiving monetary compensation.
3. Allow up to five years of caregiving to be treated as high-earning years, boosting the average indexed monthly earnings and mitigating the impact of zero-earning years on Social Security benefits which are calculated based on an individual's 35 highest-earning years.

The Social Security Caregiver Act is endorsed by the following organizations: Social Security Works, National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs (NANASP), The Arc, Sibling Leadership Network, National Alliance of Caregiving, ALS Association, and Alliance for Retired Americans.

Full text of the Social Security Caregiver Credit Act is available here.

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