Ask Larry

How Much Will My Son Receive When His Half Sister Turns 18?

My son is going on 15yrs old.. he has a half sister that will be 18 this month. They both receive $820 a month for survivor payments. Once his sister turns 18 , how much will my son then receive?
Thank you

Hi. Your son's benefit rate will stay the same if he and his half sister are the only people collecting survivor benefits from their deceased parent's record. Surviving children are each eligible for up to 75% of the deceased parent's primary insurance amount (PIA), and their benefit rate would only be lower than that if paying them their full rate would exceed the family maximum benefit (FMB). The FMB is always high enough to allow 2 surviving children to be paid their full benefit rates, assuming that no surviving spouse is also collecting benefits. So, if your son is already being paid his full benefit rate, his amount won't change when his half sister stops getting her benefits.

Best, Jerry

Category: 
Posted: 
Apr 5 2021 - 9:23am
MaxiFi software running on a laptop
Get What's Yours!
Discover tens of thousands in extra retirement dollars with Maximize My Social Security software!
  • Find your maximized strategy
  • Unlimited what-ifs
  • Step-by-Step filing instructions
  • Our software's lifetime-benefit increase for an illustrative couple earning $65K each and planning to take retirement benefits at 62.

    Results will differ based on your specific case and filing strategy.

Getting Started is Easy
Web-based software. Works on ALL browsers. No download.