The maximum family benefit is the maximum monthly amount that can be paid on a worker’s earnings record. The following, however, is devoted to the more common family maximum for retirement and survivor benefits.
Special formula for computing the maximum benefits payable to the family of a disabled worker. Benefits are payable to spouses and children of disabled workers, but such benefits are limited. The family maximum for a family of a disabled worker is 85 percent of the worker’s Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME). However, it cannot be less than the worker’s PIA nor more than 150 percent of the PIA. [www.ssa.gov/oact/COLA/dibfamilymax.html]
Steps for computing the Family Maximum Benefit
Step 1. Segregate the Primary Insurance Amount from the bend point table.
Step 2. Compute the family maximum.
Computation of Family Maximum Benefit [www.ssa.gov/oact/COLA/familymax.html]
| (4) | From | To | PIA | Fam Max | |
| 150% | 1 | 1,184 | 1,184 | 1,776 | |
| 272% | 1,185 | 1,708 | 524 | 1,425 | |
| 134% | 1,709 | 2,228 | 520 | 697 | |
| 175% | 2,229 | 633 | 1,108 | ||
| Total | 2,861 | 5,006 | |||
| Fam Max / PIA Percentage | 175% | ||||
(4) Benefit Formula Bend Points: [www.ssa.gov/oact/COLA/bendpoints.html]
(5) Formula for Family Maximum Benefit [www.ssa.gov/oact/COLA/familymax.html]
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