EXAMPLE 1- Potential Dual Title II Entitlement, Choose Higher Benefit:
Mrs. Rivet receives retirement insurance benefits (RIB) and has a primary insurance
amount (PIA) of $700. She works, has excess earnings, and is subject to the annual
earnings test. Her husband, who is eligible for SSI disability, was previously married
and widowed, and not insured based on his own work history.
The PIA on Mr. Rivet’s deceased wife’s record is $550. He is potentially entitled
as a remarried widower on her record to an MBP of $456. He is also potentially entitled
to husband's benefits based on Mrs. Rivet’s record with a MBP of $262. For Title XVI
purposes, Mr. 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: Mr. McHose is 62 years old and is filing for SSI disability payments. He is receiving
Workers' Compensation (WC) benefits. His RIB PIA is $700 and DIB PIA is $720. If he
elected RIB, his benefit would be $560. If he elected DIB, his DIB benefit would be
$720, but his DIB monthly benefit payable would be reduced to $350 because of WC offset. To maintain SSI eligibility, Mr. McHose is required
to elect payment of the RIB because it results in the highest monthly benefit amount
payable. In such a case, however, he remains technically entitled to DIB so that he
will also become entitled to Medicare after his 24-month qualifying period.
EXAMPLE 3- Potentially Entitled as Auxiliary on more than one Record—Determine Highest Auxiliary Benefit:
Mr. Hall receives RIB and his PIA is $400. He has 4 minor children. Each receive $50
per month in auxiliary benefits on his record. One of Mr. Hall’s children is disabled,
lives with his natural mother in a separate household, and receives SSI payments.
The child's mother filed for her 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.