Family Benefit Maximum

Hi Larry,

When there are 2 saves earners in the family, is there a maximum amount each can receive when filing on their separate work account? Is there a household maximum when filing this way?

Hi,

No, there's no set limit on how much a couple can receive in Social Security benefits based on their own earnings. Each member of a couple can be paid their full benefit rate no matter how high the benefit amount is.

Must a Combined Family Maximum be used in my case, even though my spouse's and disabled adult child's amount needed from my record fit under my individual record's Family Maximum?

I am a divorced spouse, with 2 disabled children. The children's father took early retirement in May 2018 at age 62. I am also 62.My SS started out at $1034. My boys started at $1236 and my ex started at $2101...The first payment was June 2018. The checks increased in January for cost-of-living.

My husband's benefit is 2733 per month. His PIA is about 2297 and his family maximum about 4020. I am 66 and filing for only spousal benefits

My husband has a disabled adult son, who has been disabled since age 7.
After subtracting my husband's PIA, one would assume that his son, and I would each receive 861 per month.

Hello,

I just turned 62 (Dec 2018), but plan to wait until FRA of 66 & 4 months to claim. My projected benefit will be $2866 per month. At that time my wife will just turn 63 and we plan to have her take a spousal benefit of $1433 as that would be larger than her FRA projected benefit 4 years later. We also have an adopted minor child who at that time could get a benefit for another two years. After reading Get What's Yours- Social Security, it sound like our full family benefit would be 1.8 times my FRA benefit ( $5158.80 ), is that correct or will the family limit be lower?

When I file, I believe my disabled adult child, who now receives SSI, will be entitled to receive 50% of my PIA based on my record. I believe she will receive SSDI. My wife will also be entitled to receive SS under my record but she will be taking care of my disabled child. Under these conditions, will my wife also be entitled to 50% of my PIA as long as the total of my, my child and my wife's SS amount doesn't exceed my family limit? My wife will be 63 and I will be 62 when I plan to file. Thank you.

Hi,

I have a disabled brother Dale (56) and disabled sister Terri (47) that are drawing off my Dads Social Security. My dad passed away and their Social Security benefits went up. My stepmom is also trying to draw Dads social security since his was a lot higher than hers is. Will she still be able to draw Dads amount instead of hers since they have already raised my brother and sisters. They do not live with my stepmom. I oversee their benefit spending.

thank you

Hi,

Your "Ask Larry" response under the topic "How Does A Combined Family Maximum Work?" closely addresses our family situation (two parents at FRA and 1 Disabled Adult Child). Specifically, your response states that total family benefits are not limited to the combined family maximum; that is only the limit payable on one parent's record. So the total payable is actually the lesser of the statutory limit or the sum of the combined family maximum plus the PIA of the lower earning spouse.