While Social Security is best known as a retirement program, it is also irreplaceable life and disability insurance for young families, according to a new report released today by the non-partisan National Academy of Social Insurance (NASI).

Among the report’s many findings: Four percent of children under 18 (3.1 million kids) today receive Social Security, more children than does TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, the best-known income security program for poor children.)

So, as we consider changes to Security benefits in the future, we can’t only focus on retiring baby-boomers. We’ve also got to think about our babies.