TN 5 (08-11)

RS 00209.015 Payment Provisions for Parent's Benefits

A. Policy for benefit amount

1. General policy

A parent who qualifies on more than one child's earnings record (ER) will be entitled on the ER that gives the higher benefit. There is no actuarial reduction of benefits for months before attainment of full retirement age. The parent's benefit is subject to reduction for the family maximum.

2. One parent entitled

Benefit rate equals 82 1/2% of the worker's primary insurance amount (PIA).

3. Two parents entitled

  1. a. 

    Benefit rate equals 75% of the worker's PIA for each month both are entitled.

  2. b. 

    If two parents file in different months, the benefit rate is 75% of the worker's PIA for each month for which both are entitled, beginning with the month of the later application.

  3. c. 

    If both parents are entitled for a month or months before the month of filing of the later application, see RS 00615.760.

  4. d. 

    Even though one of the benefits may not be payable for a month due to deductions or suspension, the original benefit rate distribution remains the same. If entitlement to one parent's benefit terminates, increase the remaining parents benefit to 82 1/2% of the worker's PIA effective with the month the terminating event occurs.

4. Related policy

For adjustment required where maximum family benefits are involved, see RS 00615.730.

B. Policy for simultaneous entitlement

1. Parent's benefit and Retirement Insurance Benefit (RIB) or Disability Insurance Benefit (DIB)

  1. a. 

    RIB

    Receives RIB plus any amount by which the parent's benefit exceeds the RIB.

  2. b. 

    DIB

    • Parent's benefit larger than DIB - parent's benefit payable but reduced by the amount of the DIB.

    • DIB larger than parent's benefit - DIB is only benefit payable but technical entitlement to parent's benefit continues.

2. Parent's benefit and another survivor or auxiliary benefit

  1. a. 

    Though technical entitlement remains for the smaller benefit, only the larger benefit is paid.

  2. b. 

    If you cannot pay the larger benefit because of deduction events, you also cannot pay the lower benefit. If the larger benefit terminates:

    • Pay the lower benefit

    • No new application required.


To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0300209015
RS 00209.015 - Payment Provisions for Parent's Benefits - 11/08/2012
Batch run: 11/08/2012
Rev:11/08/2012