Page 18 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, November 6, 2026 Savvy Senior Can my children get Social by Jim Miller Security benefits when I retire? Dear Savvy Senior, I’m getting ready to start my Social Security retirement benefits and have two children at home, ages 17 and 15. I’ve heard they may also be eligible for benefits on my record while I’m collecting. Is that true, and if so, how does it work? How long would they receive benefits, and is there anything I need to do to apply for them? --Retiring Parent Dear Retiring, Yes! If you’re 62 or older and raising kids, Social Security can put a little extra cash in your family’s pocket. Here’s how it works. When you claim your retirement benefits, each of your children may get up to 50 percent of your primary insurance amount (PIA), which is your benefit at full retirement age. Even if you take a reduced benefit by claiming early, your children’s payments are still based on your full retirement amount, which is 67 if you were born in 1960 or later. You can apply for your children’s benefits at the same time you file your own Social Security retirement claim, or separately afterward if needed, but doing it together is usually the simplest approach. To qualify, children must be unmarried and under 18. If they are 18 or 19 and still in high school, they can receive benefits until they graduate or reach age 19 years and two months, whichever comes first. If they work, the usual earnings test may apply. In 2026, Social Security reduces benefits by $1 for every $2 earned above $22,320. Special rules apply to children with disabilities. Since your youngest is 15, your spouse can also receive benefits on your record – even if she is under full retirement age. This is a “childin-care” spousal benefit that is available when a spouse is caring for a child under 16. That benefit can be up to 50 percent of your PIA and ends when your youngest child turns 16. It can be especially helpful in households where one parent has stepped back from work or is focused on caregiving. There is also a limit on how much Social Security can pay a family, called the family maximum, usually between 150 and 180 percent of your PIA. If total benefits exceed that amount, payments to family members (except yours) are reduced proportionally. For example, if your full retirement benefit is $3,000 per month, the family maximum might be around $5,289. That leaves $2,289 to divide among your children – about $1,144.50 each. If your spouse also qualifies, her benefit would further reduce the amount available to be shared, though the total family payment remains capped. Children can also receive benefits if a parent becomes disabled – usually up to 50 percent of the parent’s disability benefit – or if a parent dies, in which case they may receive up to 75 percent of the deceased parent’s basic benefit. These benefits won’t cover everything, but even modest support can make a meaningful difference for a family. Keeping benefits on track Social Security automatically stops children’s benefits when they age out or graduate. Knowing when payments start and stop can help you plan your budget and make the most of this support. If your children’s circumstances change – such as graduating early, getting married, or starting fulltime work – be sure to notify Social Security so payments stay accurate. For more details, see SSA Publication No. 05-10085, “Benefits for Children” at ssa.gov/pubs/EN-0510085.pdf. Send your questions or comments to questions@ savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070. - LEGAL NOTICE - City of Malden Massachusetts INSPECTIONAL SERVICES 215 Pleasant Street, Room 330 Malden, Massachusetts 02148 (781) 397-7000 ext. 2044 ROWE’S QUARRY SITE PLAN REVIEW COMMITTEE PUBLIC PROJECT REVIEW MEETING The Rowe’s Quarry Site Plan Review Committee will hold a public project review meeting in Malden City Hall, 215 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA, in Conference Room 105, at 6:00 P.M. on Monday, November 23, 2026, to review the applications of WinnDevelopment Company LP, made on behalf of Overlook Ridge LLC, seeking to amend the Site Plan Approval granted on January 22, 2025 (letter dated January 30, 2025), under Title 12, Chapter 28, Section 140 of the Code of the City of Malden, for development in the Rowe’s Quarry Reclamation & Redevelopment District, Subdistrict RQ3, at the property known as Lot 14B and by City Assessor’s Parcel ID #185 575 513 and the property known as Lot 13B and by City Assessor’s Parcel ID #185 575 511, namely, to amend the Site Plan Approval as follows: 1. Regarding Permit Application # CMID-068998-2024 for Lot 14B, to modify the proposal to construct a building for multifamily residential dwelling use, namely, to change the number of homeownership units from eighty-two (82) units to fifty-one (51) units; to change the height from five stories to four stories; to change the number of onsite parking spaces from 144 spaces to 73 spaces; and to amend Condition 1.B regarding Plans and Condition 2.B regarding Project Description; and 2. Regarding the above-referenced Permit Application # CMID-068998-2024 for Lot 14B; and regarding Permit Application # CMID-068997-2024 for Lot 13B, the proposal to construct a building for multifamily residential dwelling use, with five stories and ninety-nine (99) age-restricted senior rental units, to amend the following conditions of the Site Plan Approval applicable to both proposals: Condition 3 regarding compliance with Special Permit conditions; Condition 8 regarding the Land Reclamation Agreement; Condition 13 regarding Joint Fire Station Second Entrance; Condition 14 regarding Speed Mitigation/Traffic Calming on Overlook Ridge Drive; Condition 15 regarding Route One Southbound Ramps Traffic Analysis; Condition 17 regarding Garage Screening; Condition 20 regarding Site Plan Approval Expiration Date; and Condition 21 regarding Non-Assignability/Non-Transferability. Applications and plans are available for public review in the Inspectional Services Department, Malden City Hall, 215 Pleasant Street, Room 330, Malden, and City website under Permit Applications ## CMID-068998-2024 and CMID-068997-2024 at https://maldenma-energovweb.tylerhost.net/apps/SelfService#/search By: Michelle A. Roman City Planner November 06, 13, 2026
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