728.Adjustment of Reduction Factor at FRA

728.1Why is an adjustment of the reduction factor made at FRA?

An adjustment of the reduction factor is made at FRA to determine your benefit payable for the month you reach full retirement age and later months. In addition, an adjustment may be made at age 62 for a widow(er)'s insurance benefit for the month of attainment of age 62 and later months.

728.2Under what conditions are adjustments of the reduction factor made?

Adjustments are made under the following circumstances:

  1. Your entitlement to retirement insurance benefits began between age 62 and full retirement age, and

    1. A work deduction (including a partial deduction) was imposed for any month before FRA; or

    2. You were also entitled to disability insurance benefits for any month of your entitlement to retirement insurance benefits.

  2. Your entitlement to wife's or husband's insurance benefits began between age 62 and full retirement age, and one of the following conditions applies:

    1. A work deduction (including a partial deduction), based on your work and/or your spouse's work, was imposed for any month before full retirement age;

    2. A deduction was imposed because you refused vocational rehabilitation;

    3. A benefit was not payable for a month before full retirement age because you were entitled to other benefits which terminated the benefit;

    4. A benefit was not payable for a month before full retirement age due to the worker’s voluntary suspension request made on or after April 30, 2016; or

    5. A full benefit was payable for some months because you had in care your spouse's child (under age 16 or disabled) who was also entitled to benefits.

  3. Your entitlement to a widow(er)'s insurance benefit began between age 50 and full retirement age and one of the following conditions applies:

    1. A work deduction (including a partial deduction) was imposed for any month;

    2. A full benefit was payable for any month because you had a child in care as defined in §312; or

    3. A benefit was not payable because of a terminating event.

728.3How is the benefit amount recomputed?

An application is not required for this adjustment. The benefit amount is recomputed by using the reduction formula that was used to compute the original reduced benefit. The appropriate month(s) in (A) through (C) above are then excluded from the benefit reduction factor.

Last Revised: Sep. 23, 2016