For voluntary suspension requests that fall under the rules in effect prior to April
30, 2016:
The NH’s request for voluntary suspension does not affect auxiliaries on the record;
auxiliaries could continue receiving benefits while the NH is in voluntary suspense
unless another suspension reason is applicable.
Example: NH with an AUXSPO on the record, requests voluntary suspension under the rules in place prior to April 30, 2016
Ted has been receiving RIB since age 62. Ted’s wife, Tracy, is collecting AUXSPO benefits
from his record. Ted attains FRA in February 2015. On January 20, 2015, Ted requests
that we suspend his benefits effective with his attainment of FRA.
We will suspend Ted’s RIB effective February, the month after the month of the request.
Since Ted requested voluntary suspension prior to April 30, 2016, his suspension does
not affect his wife Tracy’s AUXSPO benefits. Tracy will continue to receive AUXSPO
benefits while Ted is in voluntary suspense.
Example: NH requests voluntary suspension under the rules in place prior to April 30, 2016, AUXSPO becomes entitled on the record after April 30, 2016
James has been receiving RIB since age 62. James attains FRA in February 2016. On
January 5, 2016, James requests that his benefits be suspended effective with his
attainment of FRA. Later, on August 31, 2016, his wife Pam files for AUXSPO benefits
with an MOE of September 2016.
We will suspend James’s RIB effective February 2016, the month after the month of
the request. Since James requested voluntary suspension prior to April 30, 2016, his
suspension does not affect his wife Pam’s AUXSPO benefits, even though Pam’s benefits
begin after April 30, 2016. Pam will receive her AUXSPO benefits while James is in
voluntary suspense.
Effective April 30, 2016, for (1) individuals who attain FRA on or after April 30,
2016; and for (2) individuals who attain FRA prior to April 30, 2016 but submit their
request for voluntary suspension on or after April 30, 2016:
No auxiliary benefits (except divorced spouse’s benefits) may be paid on the record of a NH who requests voluntary suspension.
NOTE: A spouse who is under FRA is eligible for an adjustment of the reduction factor (ARF) for any months during
which his or her spousal benefits were suspended due to the NH’s suspension that was
requested on or after April 30, 2016. For additional information about ARFs, see RS 00615.482.
Example: NH with an AUXSPO on the record, requests voluntary suspension under the new rules in place April 30, 2016
Hank has been receiving RIB since age 62. Hank’s wife, Marie, is collecting AUXSPO
benefits from his record. Hank attains FRA in June 2016. On May 12, 2016, Hank requests
that we suspend his benefits effective with his attainment of FRA, June 2016.
We will suspend Hank’s benefits effective June 2016, the month after the month of
the request. Since Hank attained FRA after April 30, 2016, his suspension will affect
his wife Marie’s AUXSPO benefits; Marie’s AUXSPO benefits will be in suspense for
the period of Hank’s voluntary suspension.
Example: NH requests voluntary suspension under the new rules in place April 30, 2016, AUXSPO later becomes entitled on the record
Kayla has been receiving benefits since her attainment of FRA, February 2016. On August
8, 2016, Kayla requests voluntary suspension to begin September 2016. Kayla’s husband,
Lucas, files for AUXSPO benefits on November 10, 2016 with an MOE of December 2016.
We will suspend Kayla’s benefits effective September 2016, the month after the month
of the request. Since Kayla requested voluntary suspension after April 30, 2016, her
suspension will affect Lucas’s AUXSPO benefits; when Lucas comes on the record in
December 2016, his benefits will be in suspense and will remain in suspense for the
period of Kayla’s voluntary suspension.
Example: RIB beneficiary with a dually entitled spouse and child on the record, requested voluntary suspension under the new rules in place April 30, 2016
Alex has been receiving RIB since age 62. Alex attains FRA August 2016. Alex’s wife,
Elizabeth, is dually entitled on Alex’s record and on her own RIB record. Their son,
Philip, is entitled to auxiliary benefits on both of their records; however, Philip’s
higher benefits are payable from Alex’s record and he is technically entitled on Elizabeth’s
record.
On June 15, 2016, Alex requests voluntary suspension of his benefits effective with
his attainment of FRA, August 2016.
Since Alex attained FRA after April 30, 2016, his suspense will affect his wife and
child’s benefits; Elizabeth and Philip’s auxiliary benefits on Alex’s record will
be in suspense for the period of Alex’s voluntary suspension. Furthermore, when Philip’s
auxiliary benefit from his father’s record is suspended, his auxiliary benefit from
his mother’s record (which was previously technical entitlement only) will begin paying
out benefits.