EXAMPLE 1- Potential Dual Title II Entitlement, Choose Higher Benefit:
Claire Rivet receives retirement insurance benefits (RIB) and has a primary insurance
amount (PIA) of $700. They work, have excess earnings, and are subject to the annual
earnings test. Their spouse, who is eligible for SSI disability, was previously married
and widowed, and not insured based on their own work history.
The PIA on Joseph Rivet’s deceased spouse’s record is $550. They are potentially entitled
as a remarried widower on the deceased spouse's record to an MBP of $456. They are
also potentially entitled to spouse's benefits based on Claire Rivet’s record with
a MBP of $262. For Title XVI purposes, Joseph Rivet is required to file only for the
remarried widower's benefit because that is the record with the highest monthly benefit
payable.
EXAMPLE 2- RIB and DIB
Entitlement, Elect RIB due to WC Offset of the DIB:
Milo McHose is 62 years old and is filing for SSI disability payments. They are receiving
Workers' Compensation (WC) benefits. Their RIB PIA is $700 and DIB PIA is $720. If
they elected RIB, their benefit would be $560. If they elected DIB, their DIB benefit
would be $720, but their DIB monthly benefit payable would be reduced to $350 because of WC offset. To maintain SSI eligibility, Milo McHose is required
to elect payment of the RIB because it results in the highest monthly benefit amount
payable. In such a case, however, they remain technically entitled to DIB so that
they will also become entitled to Medicare after their 24-month qualifying period.
EXAMPLE 3- Potentially Entitled as Auxiliary on more than one Record—Determine Highest Auxiliary Benefit:
Abel Hall receives RIB and their PIA is $400. They have 4 minor children. Each receive
$50 per month in auxiliary benefits onAbel's record. One of Abel Hall’s children is
disabled, lives with the child's natural parent in a separate household, and receives
SSI payments. The child's parent filed for their own Title II disability benefits.
It is not apparent to the Title XVI CR whether the child is already receiving the
highest benefit available. In this case, the Title XVI CR should consult the Title
II CR to determine whether the child is receiving the highest benefit available.