What is the family maximum benefit on a Social Security record?

There is a cap on the total benefits payable to a family on one worker's record, called the family maximum. It typically ranges from about 150% to 188% of the worker's PIA. When a worker has a spouse and children — or in survivor cases, multiple eligible survivors — collecting on the same record, their combined benefits cannot exceed this limit. If the total would exceed it, the auxiliary benefits (spouse and children, not the worker's own) are reduced proportionally. The family maximum most often comes into play for households with young or disabled children when a worker retires, dies, or becomes disabled. The worker's own benefit and a divorced spouse's benefit are not counted against the cap. If you have dependents who may claim on your record, factor this limit into your planning so you are not surprised by reduced auxiliary checks.