Social Security family benefits calculation confusion - 62 vs FRA formula for kids

The second rep gave you the correct information. The family maximum benefit (FMB) is typically around 150-180% of your primary insurance amount (PIA), which is what you'd get at full retirement age. Then that amount, minus your own benefit, gets divided among eligible dependents. For example, if your FRA benefit would be $4,050, your family maximum might be around $7,075. Since you're taking benefits early, you get $2,700, leaving about $4,375 to be split among your three dependents, so about $1,458 each. However, each dependent is also limited to 50% of your PIA, which would be $2,025 in your case. So the second rep's estimate of $1,010 each is in the ballpark, though possibly a bit low depending on your exact family maximum calculation.

Regarding your tax withholding question - you need SEPARATE W-4V forms for each person receiving benefits. Even though you file jointly for taxes, Social Security treats each beneficiary separately. For your kids' benefits - you're right that they likely won't be taxable UNLESS your kids have other income that puts them above the taxable threshold. Most minor children don't have enough total income to owe taxes on SS benefits.

i went thru this last yr when i started my SS at 63. the famliy max was WAY less than what i thought my kids would get. my wife and 2 kids each got about $950 even tho my benefit was $2800. they told me its bcuz of the family maximm rule. its frustrating but thats how it works. the first rep was definitely wrong.

The 30-day reporting requirement DOES apply even for vacations! I learned this the hard way. It's not because they'll stop your benefits for a short trip, but they need to know for various technical reasons including potential application of foreign work restrictions and certain country-specific payment rules. If you're visiting a country with normal relations with the US, it's just a simple notification. You can do it through your my Social Security account online (there's a "Report a Change" section) or call them. Nothing complicated, but don't skip it.

If you're having trouble reaching someone at SSA to clarify these rules, I'd recommend trying Claimyr. After getting conflicting info like you did, I was going CRAZY trying to get through on the phone. Kept getting disconnected or waiting for hours. A friend told me about claimyr.com - it got me through to a real person at SSA in about 15 minutes! They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU Totally worth it to get clear answers directly from SSA, especially with complicated family benefit questions like yours.

The first rep was definitely wrong!!! My husband retired early and I stay home with our 10 year old. We got the same runaround - first they said one amount then called back with a much lower number. Something about "family maximum benefit" which is TOTALLY UNFAIR by the way. Why should our benefits be reduced just because there's more of us??!! The system penalizes families with children!

About the 30-day reporting requirement: I worked for SSA for 22 years before retiring. The rule does exist, but it's primarily for extended stays abroad. The technical requirement is that you must report if you're outside the US for 30 consecutive days or longer, or if you're not a US citizen. For routine vacations of US citizens, while technically required to report, it rarely impacts benefits. For the family benefit calculation, the second rep was correct. The formula is complex but essentially: 1. Your PIA (benefit at FRA) is calculated 2. Family maximum is determined by a separate formula 3. Your actual benefit is subtracted from the family maximum 4. Remainder is divided among eligible dependents (up to 50% of PIA each) For tax withholding, each beneficiary needs their own W-4V, including children.

the kids benefits DO end when they turn 18 or graduate high school (up to 19 if still in high school) so keep that in mind for ur planning