My son's mother passed away in 2012. She was unmarried at the time of her death. My son and his half brother both both receive survivor benefits in the amount of $726.00. My son's half brother will turn 18 and graduate from high school shortly after his birthday in early 2022. Will my son's benefit amount increase at that time? Her survivor benefits are not going to any other spouse or child, just split between my son and his half brother. Thanks in advance.

Hi. No. The family maximum benefit (FMB) amount payable on a deceased worker's record is always at least 150% of their primary insurance amount (PIA). Unreduced surviving child benefits are limited to a maximum of 75% of the deceased parent's PIA, so up to 2 children can be paid their full benefit rates with no reduction caused by the FMB as long as no one else is collecting benefits on the deceased worker's record. Therefore, since your son is apparently already drawing his full rate of 75% of his mother's PIA, his benefit rate won't increase when his half brother's benefits stop.

Best, Jerry