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 spouse, Tracy, is collecting AUXSPO
benefits from their record. Ted attains FRA in February 2015. On January 20, 2015,
Ted requests that we suspend their benefits effective with their 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, their suspension
does not affect their spouse 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 their benefits be suspended effective with their
attainment of FRA. Later, on August 31, 2016, their spouse 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, their
suspension does not affect their spouse Pam’s AUXSPO benefits, even though Pam’s benefits
begin after April 30, 2016. Pam will receive their 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.
A spouse who is under FRA is eligible for an adjustment of the reduction factor (ARF) for any months during
which their 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 spouse, Marie, is collecting AUXSPO
benefits from their record. Hank attains FRA in June 2016. On May 12, 2016, Hank requests
that we suspend their benefits effective with their 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, their suspension will affect
their spouse 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 their attainment of FRA, February 2016. On
August 8, 2016, Kayla requests voluntary suspension to begin September 2016. Kayla’s
spouse, 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, their
suspension will affect Lucas’s AUXSPO benefits; when Lucas comes on the record in
December 2016, their 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 spouse,
Elizabeth, is dually entitled on Alex’s record and on their 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 they are technically entitled
on Elizabeth’s record.
On June 15, 2016, Alex requests voluntary suspension of their benefits effective with
their attainment of FRA, August 2016.
Since Alex attained FRA after April 30, 2016, their suspense will affect their spouse
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 Alex’s record is suspended, their auxiliary benefit from Elizabeth’s
record (which was previously technical entitlement only) will begin paying out benefits.