Hello. My husband passed away in 2019. We have 3 children, where 2 of them were eligible for social security benefits. My husband had cancer and was also on disability social security. When we began getting social security, we all received $1,463 I believe ,including myself for widows survivors benefit. Then our second son turned 18. They increased mine and my daughters check to $1,690 each. I am about to lose mine as our youngest daughter is turning 16 years old. My question is, will my daughters social security increase? And if so, would you have any idea as to what it would increase to? I’m trying to prepare for the near future. I know when my son’s social security stopped, our checks increased but I didn’t know if that would be the case this time as it’s my social security that will be stopped instead of one of our childrens. Thank you so very much for your help. I can’t thank you enough!!

Hi. I'm sorry for your loss. No, it sounds like your daughter's benefit rate won't change when you stop drawing benefits. Surviving children and a surviving spouse with a child in care can receive a monthly benefit of up to 75% of the deceased worker's primary insurance amount (PIA). However, if more than 2 survivors are eligible for benefits at the same time, their benefit rates are reduced to a lower amount because of the family maximum benefit (FMB) limit.

When 3 of you were drawing benefits, you were being paid less than a full 75% of your husband's PIA. But, now that only 2 of you are drawing benefits, you're each being paid your full 75% of your husband's PIA. When you stop drawing benefits, your daughter will continue to receive her full rate of 75% of your husband's PIA.

Best, Jerry