One spouse is fully retired and receiving benefits. The partner's working spouse and dependent child (age 4) are receiving benefits. If the spouse's increasing income begins to exceed the income limits, what happens to (a) the spouse's benefits and (b) the child's benefits? Can the child still be eligible?

Hi,

I assume you mean that a working spouse and child are drawing auxiliary benefits on the account of the fully retired individual. If that's the case, the child's benefits would not be reduced regardless of how much the working spouse earns. In fact, if some or all of the spouse's benefits are withheld due to the earnings test (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/whileworking2.html), the child's benefits may even increase if their benefit rate is being reduced due to the family maximum.

Best, Jerry