A savings clause was provided to protect beneficiaries who were entitled for the month of 5/78 from a future reduction in their benefits because the widow(er) is due an increase for DRCs. The only criterion for this to apply is entitlement for the specific month of 5/78. Entitlement before or after 5/78 is immaterial.

This saving clause does not establish a new family maximum but does permit payment to exceed the established maximum using the savings clause maximum. The maximum will revert to a table maximum when the savings clause no longer applies.

The widow's benefit including the DRCs without considering the family maximum is $410.

The child’s original rate is $300.

The total of all rates from Step 1 and 2 for all the survivors entitled on the record is $710.

Dividing the family maximum by step 3 is $700/$710.

Multiply Step 1 by Step 4 for the widow: $410 x 700/710 = 404.20.

This is the WIB adjusted for the maximum.

Multiply Step 2 by Step 4 for the child: $300 x 700/710 = 295.70.

This is the adjusted survivor rate.

Because the child was entitled for 5/78, the child is protected by the savings clause and the child's rate will remain at $300. The MBR will show a PIA of $400.00 and a savings clause family maximum of $704.20.