The SS Act has been amended at various times to increase benefit amounts and to permit
entitlement to benefits for categories of individuals not eligible on the basis of
previous provisions. Prior to the 1971 amendments, family maximums were not always
increased by the same percentage as the PIAs. The result was that some family maximums
remained the same after a conversion. Starting September 1952, whenever an amendment
to the Act increased the PIA or allowed a new type of entitlement, saving clauses
ensured a benefit increase in some cases and prevented a decrease in other cases.
Benefit conversion saving clauses and special saving clauses that have been in general
use are summarized in RS 00630.400.