I'm a single grandparent currently receiving $1584.00 monthly I had to take early retirement SSA because I was granted custody of my granddaughter when she was 11 months. She's now 3 years 9 months.
I was told by the SSA worker who I spoke to about the application process, that I can get additional $800-$900 per month if I adopt my granddaughter. If this is true, should anything happen to me, would she be entitled to any future benefits?

Hi,

Your granddaughter can't qualify for child's benefits on your record unless a) you adopt her, or b) both of her natural parents are either deceased or disabled. If you do adopt your granddaughter, she could potentially qualify for child's benefits on your account while your living or surviving child's benefits if you die. Social Security child's benefits can be payable until a child reaches age 18, or is up to age 19 and in high school, or at any age if the child became disabled prior to age 22.

If a child does qualify for benefits on the record of a parent or grandparent, their benefit rate can be up to 50% of the parent's or grandparent's primary insurance amount (PIA) while the parent is living, or up to 75% of the parent's or grandparent's PIA if the parent is deceased. A person's PIA is equal to their Social Security retirement benefit rate if they start drawing at full retirement age.

Best, Jerry