Social Security family maximum with 2 minor children - how are children's benefit amounts calculated?

Great question about family benefits! The "up to 50%" means each eligible child could receive 50% of your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), BUT the family maximum applies and will reduce these amounts. The family maximum is typically 150-180% of your PIA. So if your benefit is $2,450, the family maximum might be around $4,100-$4,400 (rough estimate). How it works in practice: - You get your full benefit: $2,450 - Each child would be eligible for 50%: $1,225 each - Total before reduction: $4,900 ($2,450 + $1,225 + $1,225) - But if family max is $4,400, there's a $500 reduction - Your benefit stays the same, but your children's benefits get proportionally reduced - Each child would get approximately $975 instead of $1,225 The exact family maximum formula is complex (based on "bend points"), so these are just estimates.

My sister went thru this last year. SSA doesnt split it evenly like the other person said. They use some formula and her kids got different amounts even tho they were both eligible. One kid got more than the other and she had to call like 5 times to get them to explain it. Something about when they were born in relation to when she filed. Total mess.

The calculation is definitely confusing! I went through this last year. If I remember right, they take your Primary Insurance Amount and multiply it by like 1.5-1.8 to get the family max. Then they subtract your benefit from that max, and whatever's left gets divided among the kids. So yes, your benefit is protected but the kids' amounts get reduced proportionally if the total would exceed the max.

I'm going through EXACTLY this right now with my two teenagers and it's been a NIGHTMARE!!! My kids are getting different amounts which makes NO SENSE!!! Been on the phone with SSA for HOURS and still can't get a straight answer on why one is getting $843 and the other only $791!!! The "family maximum" is just their way of NOT giving us what we deserve!!! So frustrated with this whole system!!!!!

If you're having trouble getting through to SSA on the phone, I'd recommend trying Claimyr (claimyr.com). It helped me get through to a real person when I was dealing with similar family benefit questions. Their service connects you with a Social Security agent without the usual wait times. They have a video demo that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU Once you get through to someone, ask specifically about your family maximum calculation and how the benefits would be divided. Get them to walk you through the exact numbers based on your work record. It made a huge difference for me to speak with someone who could look at my actual file rather than trying to guess at the amounts.

just wanted to say good luck with this. my brother went thru this last year and said it took months to get everything sorted out. he said document everything and write down names of everyone u talk to at SSA.

One other important thing to note - if you're filing at 62, your own benefit will be reduced for early filing (about 30% reduction from your full retirement age amount), but this reduction doesn't affect the children's benefits. Their benefits are based on your full PIA, not your reduced benefit amount. This is a common misunderstanding. Regarding your children receiving different amounts - this should only happen if there are special circumstances (like one child has income from work over the earnings limit, or receives other government benefits). Under normal circumstances with the family maximum, eligible children should receive equal amounts.

Correct - your children's benefits are based on your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), which is what you would receive at your Full Retirement Age, not your reduced early retirement benefit. This is one reason why sometimes taking early retirement can make financial sense for families with young children - you might get more total benefits during the years your children are eligible. Regarding the family maximum calculation, you can request a Social Security Statement through your my Social Security account online, which may show your family maximum. If not, when you apply for benefits, the SSA will calculate it for you. For accurate planning purposes, you might want to schedule an appointment at your local office where they can provide the exact numbers based on your work record.

dont forget that dependant benefits only go to 18 unless theyre still in high school then it can go to 19 AND if they become disabled before 22 they can get benefits based on ur record for longer. my nephew has downs and gets benefits on his dads record this way.

Thanks everyone for the helpful information! I was able to get through to SSA yesterday (used that Claimyr service someone mentioned - worked great). They confirmed my PIA is actually $2,680 and my family maximum would be about $4,690. So if I file at 62, I'd get about $1,876 (reduced for early filing), but each child would be eligible for $1,340 (50% of my PIA). But since that would total $4,556 which is under the family maximum, they'd each get the full 50%! We won't hit the maximum until I reach FRA and my benefit increases. This is such a relief to know for planning purposes. The agent said things can change with COLA increases, but at least I have a starting point for budgeting. Really appreciate all the help!