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Social Security Handbook
730.Maximum Monthly Benefits Payable on One Earnings Record730.1Is there a maximum family benefit on a Social Security record?Yes. A maximum family benefit is payable on a Social Security
record. Generally, no more than the established maximum can be paid
to a family, regardless of the number of beneficiaries entitled on
that Social Security record. The family maximum is determined by
the method of computing the PIA and the kind of benefits payable
to the worker.   730.2How is the maximum family benefit computed under first
eligibility or death before 1979?If you turn 62 or become disabled or die before 1979, your PIA
is based on your average monthly earnings. It is determined from
the table that was in the Social Security Act as of December 31,
1978, and increased by cost-of-living increases. A table of family
maximums that is associated with special minimum PIA's is published
in the Federal Register after each increase.730.3How is the maximum family benefit computed under first
eligibility or death before age 62 in 1979 or later years?The family maximum is computed by adding fixed percentages of
predetermined dollar amounts (i.e., the bend points) which are part
of the PIA. The formula in effect for 2010 is:
Up through 972150% of PIA972.10 - 1403.001458 plus 272% of excess of 9721403.10 - 1830.002630.32 plus 134% of excess of 1403.001830.10 or higher3202.50 plus 175% of excess of 1830.00The bend points will usually change each year in the same way
that the bend points used to compute the PIA change (see §706).730.4How is the maximum family benefit computed under first
entitlement to disability insurance benefits after June 1980, first
eligibility after 1978?The family maximum is 85 percent of the AIME (see §701). However, it cannot
be less than the PIA nor more than 150 percent of the PIA.Last Revised: Apr. 19, 2010
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