Hello
I am a 68 year old male born in April 1950 who has children aged 19,17,14, and 11. My wife is 50 years old.
I made the cut-off in April 2016 at age 66) for filing for soc security benefits for my children while I also formally filed and suspended my benefits with a goal to resume (unsuspend) my benefits at age 70. I plan to continue working to age 75.
My 11 year old will continue to receive dependent child benefits through December 2024 (turns 18 Jan 2025).
With the Maximum Family Benefit in mind as I approach age 70, would it make sense to discontinue the dependent child benefit just prior to unsuspending my
benefit and therefore potentially increasing my monthly benefit for the sake of my wife ?
Thanks,
Mike

Hi Mike,

No. Your benefit rate will be calculated and paid without regard to the family maximum benefit (FMB). And, the increase in your benefit rate resulting from delayed retirement credits (DRC) won't decrease the amount of benefits that your family members could draw. In other words, even though your benefit rate will be 32% higher than your full retirement age rate (PIA) if you wait until age 70 to start drawing, only your PIA will be deducted from the FMB when calculating the benefit rates potentially payable to your eligible family members (https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0300615695).

Best, Jerry