<prompt> Human: My parents are 60. Theyve been separated over a decade, but never signed the divorce papers. My mom worked off and on as a substitute teacher but never made more than 10k in a year. She now tutors kids for cash and works other odd jobs where shes payed under the table. My Dad also has a spotty employment history. He never had a salaried job and has been self-employed most of his life, selling things at flea markets and swap meets, never making more than about 20k annually. Hes gone years at a time without filing taxes. Neither of them have any savings, or assets. How can I know if theyll receive any social security? Will they be eligible for any government assistance when theyre no longer able to work? Or will the burden be entirely on me? Im in my late 20s and dont have much to my name. Im paying their cell phone bills and recently bought my mom a car and a computer. I have a decent job now, I recently paid of my student loans and Ive saved a small nest egg. Id like to start a family but Im afraid I wont be able to support my parents if I have kids. Any advice is welcome. Thank you!  <response>: Id like to start a family but Im afraid I wont be able to support my parents if I have kids.Do you live in the same town? It sounds like your mom already works with kids, so maybe you could structure something where you pay your parents the fee you would otherwise pay someone else for childcare. If its reported on a 1099 it should also count towards increasing their social security benefits later in life. 