Effective Dates: 11/14/2023 - Present Previous | Next

TN 39 (11-23)

RS 00615.340 Widow(er) with Child-in-Care

POLICY

1. What is Paid

Any month a person receiving a reduced widow(er) benefit has an entitled child-in-care they cannot receive less than the amount a mother and father would receive. The benefit amount is raised for all months the child is in care. At FRA attainment the widow(er) is granted an ARF to remove all months the increase was applied.

NOTE: If the widow(er) receives a higher benefit as a widow(er) do not change the benefit to the mother and father amount and an ARF will not apply.

A surviving divorced spouse who is eligible for and has elected reduced benefits can receive the mother's/father's benefit amount if larger than the reduced WIB without meeting the additional requirements in RS 00208.001

2. Effective Date

This policy applies to benefits payable 1/73 and later.

3. Examples

a. Increased Amount

A widow born 6/15/1941 will attain FRA in 10/2006. They started receiving benefits at age 60 in 6/2001 and are reduced to 71.5% of the PIA because of the 64 RF. From 1/2005 through 6/2005 they have an entitled child-in-care. Their benefit amount for those months is raised to 75% of the PIA. In 7/2005 they no longer have a child-in-care and their rate goes back to the 71.5%. In 10/2006 they receive an ARF for the six months their benefit amount was raised. Their RF is therefore 58 beginning at FRA.

b. No Increase in Amount

A widow born 6/15/1941 will attain FRA in 10/2006. They started receiving benefits at age 64. Their RF is 16 and after age reduction they receive about 92.9% of the PIA. In 7/2005 they have an entitled child-in-care. Their benefit as a mother would only be 75% of the PIA so their benefit as a widow is not changed. Because they continue to receive the original reduced benefit amount there will be no ARF at FRA.

To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0300615340
RS 00615.340 - Widow(er) with Child-in-Care - 11/14/2023
Batch run: 11/14/2023
Rev:11/14/2023