When a deceased number holder (NH) received reduced retirement insurance benefits (RIB), that benefit amount is the maximum the surviving spouse or surviving divorced spouse may receive. This limitation is referred to as the “RIB LIM.” For more information about the RIB LIM, see RS 00615.320.

When a widow(er) contacts us to inquire about delaying their widow(er) benefits, we must inform the claimant of the month that their widow(er)’s benefits will be at the maximum amount payable. Although we provide this information, the claimant must still choose their MOEL.

The normal retroactivity rules apply when the RIB LIM is involved. For more information on retroactivity and RIB LIM, see GN 00204.030D.

We consider if RIB LIM applies when we review the form SSA-4111 (Certificate of Election of Reduced Widow(er)'s and Surviving Divorced Spouse’s Benefits) submitted by a claimant. For more information on the SSA-4111, see RS 00207.025. If the claimant did not select the month that maximizes their benefits, we contact them to explain the MOEL benefit options.

We use the method in Table 1 to determine the month that we will pay the maximum WIB amount. That month is the highest benefit because the WIB amount will not increase beyond this month. Do not use this method if the widow(er)’s:

• •

  entitlement is in the year of death, and

• •

  RIB primary insurance amount (PIA) differs from the NH’s death PIA.

 

Table 1: Highest Benefit MOEL Computation Method

Table 2: Reduction Factor Decimal Equivalents