Family Maximum Formula for SSDI vs. Retirement Benefits

Per the Social Security website, "there is a special formula for computing the maximum benefits payable to the family of a disabled worker" but a different formula for computing the family maximum for retirement and survivor benefits. My question pertains to whether the family maximum formula used would change when someone who has been claiming SSDI reaches full retirement age and their benefits convert to retirement.

A few years ago I filed for and was awarded SSDI. I have a DAC who then filed to claim on my record, and later my wife filed to claim on my record when she reached full retirement age (she doesn't have enough work credits to claim retirement on her own record). My family maximum under SSDI was calculated to be 150% of my PIA, which I understand is the maximum payable to the family of a disabled worker.

This month I reached full retirement age, and my SSDI benefit converted to a retirement benefit. I understand that my payment remains the same ($3,225), but based on the information published on the Social Security website, I thought there would now be a different formula used to calculate the family maximum. Currently my family maximum is still listed as 150% of my PIA ($4,838.90), but when I use the formula for retirement beneficiaries to compute my family maximum, I get 175% of my PIA ($5,644.90). Although I have called several times to inquire about the discrepancy, the representatives have been very insistent that 150% of my PIA is the absolute maximum ever payable my record. They do confirm that my SSDI benefits have now converted to retirement benefits, but say that "absolutely nothing about" the family maximum will change due to my now being retired.

The Social Security website states the retirement family maximum "total amount of benefits payable will be computed so that it does not exceed: (a) 150 percent of the first $1,308 of the worker's PIA, plus (b) 272 percent of the worker's PIA over $1,308 through $1,889, plus (c) 134 percent of the worker's PIA over $1,889 through $2,463, plus (d) 175 percent of the worker's PIA over $2,463." That formula (using the 2022 bend points) and my PIA of $3,225 yields $5,644.90, which is 175% of my PIA. If I instead use the formula with the 2017 bend points (2017 is when I was awarded SSDI and also the year I turned 62), the formula yields $5,644.10, which is still 175% of my PIA.

Is there something I'm misunderstanding? Since my family maximum when I was claiming SSDI benefits was 150% of my PIA, is my record forever locked into that amount? As my benefits are now retirement benefits, I don't understand why Social Security isn't using the retirement benefits family maximum formula listed on their website, and none of the representatives I've spoken with on the phone have been able or willing to explain why nothing has or will change.

Hi. Yes, the family maximum benefit (FMB) amount can increase when a person reaches full retirement age (FRA) and their Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits convert to regular Social Security retirement benefits. It doesn't always increase depending on the worker's primary insurance amount (PIA), but based on your stated benefit rate the FMB in your case should certainly have gone up when you reached FRA.

I'm not sure what your best course of action might be to resolve the problem, though. You could try submitting a written request to Social Security for a recomputation of your benefit rate and FMB. Or, you may be able for file an appeal request, but there is a 60 day time limit for requesting an appeal and I don't know if you'd meet that time frame.

If you can't get any satisfaction from Social Security, you could try contacting the offices of your U.S. congressional representative or one of your U.S. senators to see if they will submit an inquiry to Social Security on your behalf. Inquiries received by Social Security from a member of Congress on behalf of a constituent are generally directed to members of management, and that often result in an expedited resolution.

Best, Jerry