New research, supported by a grant from the Social Security Administration (SSA) and led by Dr. Siavash Radpour of Stockton University and colleagues at The New School for Social Research, is examining the significant financial trade-offs faced by spousal caregivers. Titled "Do Spousal Caregivers Claim Social Security Early to Replace or Supplement Their Income?," the study investigates whether the financial pressure of providing intensive care—which often requires a spouse to reduce or leave paid work, resulting in lost income—pushes them to claim their Social Security benefits earlier than planned. While early claiming offers necessary immediate relief, it results in a permanently reduced monthly income, increasing their long-term economic insecurity. The project aims to provide data-driven insights into the economic pressures on this vital population to help inform public policies that can better support their financial well-being.

Siavash Radpour, Assistant Professor of Economics