TN 24 (09-02)

POLICY

1. What is Paid

Any month a person receiving a reduced widow(er) benefit has an entitled child-in-care he or she cannot receive less than the amount a mother/father would receive. The benefit amount is raised for all months the child is in care. At FRA attainment the widow(er) is granted an ARF to remove all months the increase was applied.

NOTE: If the widow(er) receives a higher benefit as a widow(er) do not change the benefit to the mother/father amount and an ARF will not apply.

A surviving divorced spouse who is eligible for and has elected reduced benefits can receive the mother's/father's benefit amount if larger than the reduced WIB without meeting the additional requirements in RS 00208.001

2. Effective Date

This policy applies to benefits payable 1/73 and later.

3. Examples

a. Increased Amount

A widow born 6/15/1941 will attain FRA in 10/2006. She started receiving benefits at age 60 in 6/2001 and is reduced to 71.5% of the PIA because of the 64 RF. From 1/2005 through 6/2005 she has an entitled child-in-care. Her benefit amount for those months is raised to 75% of the PIA. In 7/2005 she no longer has a child-in-care and her rate goes back to the 71.5%. In 10/2006 she receives an ARF for the six months her benefit amount was raised. Her RF is therefore 58 beginning at FRA.

b. No Increase in Amount

A widow born 6/15/1941 will attain FRA in 10/2006. She started receiving benefits at age 64. Her RF is 16 and after age reduction she receives about 92.9% of the PIA. In 7/2005 she has an entitled child-in-care. Her benefit as a mother would only be 75% of the PIA so her benefit as a widow is not changed. Because she continues to receive the original reduced benefit amount there will be no ARF at FRA.