§ 402. Old-age and survivors insurance benefit payments
(a)
Old-age insurance benefits
Every individual who—
(3)
has filed application for old-age insurance benefits or was entitled to disability insurance benefits for the month preceding the month in which he attained retirement age (as defined in section
416
(l) of this title),
shall be entitled to an old-age insurance benefit for each month, beginning with—
(A)
in the case of an individual who has attained retirement age (as defined in section
416
(l) of this title), the first month in which such individual meets the criteria specified in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), or
(B)
in the case of an individual who has attained age 62, but has not attained retirement age (as defined in section
416
(l) of this title), the first month throughout which such individual meets the criteria specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) (if in that month he meets the criterion specified in paragraph (3)),
and ending with the month preceding the month in which he dies. Except as provided in subsection (q) and subsection (w) of this section, such individual’s old-age insurance benefit for any month shall be equal to his primary insurance amount (as defined in section
415
(a) of this title) for such month.
(b)
Wife’s insurance benefits
(1)
The wife (as defined in section
416
(b) of this title) and every divorced wife (as defined in section
416
(d) of this title) of an individual entitled to old-age or disability insurance benefits, if such wife or such divorced wife—
(B)
has attained age 62 or (in the case of a wife) has in her care (individually or jointly with such individual) at the time of filing such application a child entitled to a child’s insurance benefit on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of such individual,
(D)
is not entitled to old-age or disability insurance benefits, or is entitled to old-age or disability insurance benefits based on a primary insurance amount which is less than one-half of the primary insurance amount of such individual,
shall (subject to subsection (s) of this section) be entitled to a wife’s insurance benefit for each month, beginning with—
(i)
in the case of a wife or divorced wife (as so defined) of an individual entitled to old-age benefits, if such wife or divorced wife has attained retirement age (as defined in section
416
(l) of this title), the first month in which she meets the criteria specified in subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D), or
(ii)
in the case of a wife or divorced wife (as so defined) of—
(I)
an individual entitled to old-age insurance benefits, if such wife or divorced wife has not attained retirement age (as defined in section
416
(l) of this title), or
(II)
an individual entitled to disability insurance benefits,
the first month throughout which she is such a wife or divorced wife and meets the criteria specified in subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D) (if in such month she meets the criterion specified in subparagraph (A)),
whichever is earlier, and ending with the month preceding the month in which any of the following occurs—
(G)
in the case of a wife, they are divorced and either
(ii)
she has attained age 62 but has not been married to such individual for a period of 10 years immediately before the date the divorce became effective,
(I)
in the case of a wife who has not attained age 62, no child of such individual is entitled to a child’s insurance benefit,
(2)
Except as provided in subsections (k)(5) and (q) of this section, such wife’s insurance benefit for each month shall be equal to one-half of the primary insurance amount of her husband (or, in the case of a divorced wife, her former husband) for such month.
(3)
In the case of any divorced wife who marries—
(B)
an individual who has attained the age of 18 and is entitled to benefits under subsection (d) of this section,
such divorced wife’s entitlement to benefits under this subsection shall, notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) (but subject to subsection (s) of this section), not be terminated by reason of such marriage.
(4)
(A)
Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this subsection, except as provided in subparagraph (B), the divorced wife of an individual who is not entitled to old-age or disability insurance benefits, but who has attained age 62 and is a fully insured individual (as defined in section
414 of this title), if such divorced wife—
shall be entitled to a wife’s insurance benefit under this subsection for each month, in such amount, and beginning and ending with such months, as determined (under regulations of the Commissioner of Social Security) in the manner otherwise provided for wife’s insurance benefits under this subsection, as if such insured individual had become entitled to old-age insurance benefits on the date on which the divorced wife first meets the criteria for entitlement set forth in clauses (i) and (ii).
(c)
Husband’s insurance benefits
(1)
The husband (as defined in section
416
(f) of this title) and every divorced husband (as defined in section
416
(d) of this title) of an individual entitled to old-age or disability insurance benefits, if such husband or such divorced husband—
(B)
has attained age 62 or (in the case of a husband) has in his care (individually or jointly with such individual) at the time of filing such application a child entitled to child’s insurance benefits on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of such individual,
(D)
is not entitled to old-age or disability insurance benefits, or is entitled to old-age or disability insurance benefits based on a primary insurance amount which is less than one-half of the primary insurance amount of such individual,
shall (subject to subsection(s) of this section) be entitled to a husband’s insurance benefit for each month, beginning with—
(i)
in the case of a husband or divorced husband (as so defined) of an individual who is entitled to an old-age insurance benefit, if such husband or divorced husband has attained retirement age (as defined in section
416
(l) of this title), the first month in which he meets the criteria specified in subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D), or
(ii)
in the case of a husband or divorced husband (as so defined) of—
(I)
an individual entitled to old-age insurance benefits, if such husband or divorced husband has not attained retirement age (as defined in section
416
(l) of this title), or
(II)
an individual entitled to disability insurance benefits,
the first month throughout which he is such a husband or divorced husband and meets the criteria specified in subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D) (if in such month he meets the criterion specified in subparagraph (A)),
whichever is earlier, and ending with the month preceding the month in which any of the following occurs:
(G)
in the case of a husband, they are divorced and either
(ii)
he has attained age 62 but has not been married to such individual for a period of 10 years immediately before the divorce became effective,
(I)
in the case of a husband who has not attained age 62, no child of such individual is entitled to a child’s insurance benefit,
(2)
Except as provided in subsections (k)(5) and (q) of this section, such husband’s insurance benefit for each month shall be equal to one-half of the primary insurance amount of his wife (or, in the case of a divorced husband, his former wife) for such month.
(3)
In the case of any divorced husband who marries—
(B)
an individual who has attained the age of 18 and is entitled to benefits under subsection (d) of this section, by reason of paragraph (1)(B)(ii) thereof,
such divorced husband’s entitlement to benefits under this subsection, notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) (but subject to subsection (s) of this section), shall not be terminated by reason of such marriage.
(4)
(A)
Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this subsection, except as provided in subparagraph (B), the divorced husband of an individual who is not entitled to old-age or disability insurance benefits, but who has attained age 62 and is a fully insured individual (as defined in section
414 of this title), if such divorced husband—
shall be entitled to a husband’s insurance benefit under this subsection for each month, in such amount, and beginning and ending with such months, as determined (under regulations of the Commissioner of Social Security) in the manner otherwise provided for husband’s insurance benefits under this subsection, as if such insured individual had become entitled to old-age insurance benefits on the date on which the divorced husband first meets the criteria for entitlement set forth in clauses (i) and (ii).
(d)
Child’s insurance benefits
(1)
Every child (as defined in section
416
(e) of this title) of an individual entitled to old-age or disability insurance benefits, or of an individual who dies a fully or currently insured individual, if such child—
(B)
at the time such application was filed was unmarried and
(i)
either had not attained the age of 18 or was a full-time elementary or secondary school student and had not attained the age of 19, or
(ii)
is under a disability (as defined in section
423
(d) of this title) which began before he attained the age of 22, and
(C)
was dependent upon such individual—
(iii)
if such individual had a period of disability which continued until he became entitled to old-age or disability insurance benefits, or (if he has died) until the month of his death, at the beginning of such period of disability or at the time he became entitled to such benefits,
shall be entitled to a child’s insurance benefit for each month, beginning with—
(i)
in the case of a child (as so defined) of such an individual who has died, the first month in which such child meets the criteria specified in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C), or
(ii)
in the case of a child (as so defined) of an individual entitled to an old-age insurance benefit or to a disability insurance benefit, the first month throughout which such child is a child (as so defined) and meets the criteria specified in subparagraphs (B) and (C) (if in such month he meets the criterion specified in subparagraph (A)),
whichever is earlier, and ending with the month preceding whichever of the following first occurs—
(F)
if such child was not under a disability (as so defined) at the time he attained the age of 18, the earlier of—
(i)
the first month during no part of which he is a full-time elementary or secondary school student, or
but only if he was not under a disability (as so defined) in such earlier month;
(G)
if such child was under a disability (as so defined) at the time he attained the age of 18 or if he was not under a disability (as so defined) at such time but was under a disability (as so defined) at or prior to the time he attained (or would attain) the age of 22—
(i)
the termination month, subject to section
423
(e) of this title (and for purposes of this subparagraph, the termination month for any individual shall be the third month following the month in which his disability ceases; except that, in the case of an individual who has a period of trial work which ends as determined by application of section
422
(c)(4)(A) of this title, the termination month shall be the earlier of
(I)
the third month following the earliest month after the end of such period of trial work with respect to which such individual is determined to no longer be suffering from a disabling physical or mental impairment, or
(II)
the third month following the earliest month in which such individual engages or is determined able to engage in substantial gainful activity, but in no event earlier than the first month occurring after the 36 months following such period of trial work in which he engages or is determined able to engage in substantial gainful activity),
or (if later) the earlier of—
(H)
if the benefits under this subsection are based on the wages and self-employment income of a stepparent who is subsequently divorced from such child’s natural parent, the month after the month in which such divorce becomes final.
Entitlement of any child to benefits under this subsection on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of an individual entitled to disability insurance benefits shall also end with the month before the first month for which such individual is not entitled to such benefits unless such individual is, for such later month, entitled to old-age insurance benefits or unless he dies in such month. No payment under this paragraph may be made to a child who would not meet the definition of disability in section
423
(d) of this title except for paragraph (1)(B) thereof for any month in which he engages in substantial gainful activity.
(2)
Such child’s insurance benefit for each month shall, if the individual on the basis of whose wages and self-employment income the child is entitled to such benefit has not died prior to the end of such month, be equal to one-half of the primary insurance amount of such individual for such month. Such child’s insurance benefit for each month shall, if such individual has died in or prior to such month, be equal to three-fourths of the primary insurance amount of such individual.
(3)
A child shall be deemed dependent upon his father or adopting father or his mother or adopting mother at the time specified in paragraph (1)(C) of this subsection unless, at such time, such individual was not living with or contributing to the support of such child and—
(4)
A child shall be deemed dependent upon his stepfather or stepmother at the time specified in paragraph (1)(C) of this subsection if, at such time, the child was receiving at least one-half of his support from such stepfather or stepmother.
(5)
In the case of a child who has attained the age of eighteen and who marries—
(A)
an individual entitled to benefits under subsection (a), (b), (c), (e), (f), (g), or (h) of this section or under section
423
(a) of this title, or
(B)
another individual who has attained the age of eighteen and is entitled to benefits under this subsection,
such child’s entitlement to benefits under this subsection shall, notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection but subject to subsection (s) of this section, not be terminated by reason of such marriage.
(6)
A child whose entitlement to child’s insurance benefits on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of an insured individual terminated with the month preceding the month in which such child attained the age of 18, or with a subsequent month, may again become entitled to such benefits (provided no event specified in paragraph (1)(D) has occurred) beginning with the first month thereafter in which he—
(B)
is under a disability (as so defined) which began
(i)
before the close of the 84th month following the month in which his most recent entitlement to child’s insurance benefits terminated because he ceased to be under such disability, or
(ii)
after the close of the 84th month following the month in which his most recent entitlement to child’s insurance benefits terminated because he ceased to be under such disability due to performance of substantial gainful activity,
but only if he has filed application for such reentitlement. Such reentitlement shall end with the month preceding whichever of the following first occurs:
(D)
the earlier of
(i)
the first month during no part of which he is a full-time elementary or secondary school student or
(ii)
the month in which he attains the age of 19, but only if he is not under a disability (as so defined) in such earlier month; or
(7)
For the purposes of this subsection—
(A)
A “full-time elementary or secondary school student” is an individual who is in full-time attendance as a student at an elementary or secondary school, as determined by the Commissioner of Social Security (in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Commissioner) in the light of the standards and practices of the schools involved, except that no individual shall be considered a “full-time elementary or secondary school student” if he is paid by his employer while attending an elementary or secondary school at the request, or pursuant to a requirement, of his employer. An individual shall not be considered a “full-time elementary or secondary school student” for the purpose of this section while that individual is confined in a jail, prison, or other penal institution or correctional facility, pursuant to his conviction of an offense (committed after the effective date of this sentence [1] ) which constituted a felony under applicable law. An individual who is determined to be a full-time elementary or secondary school student shall be deemed to be such a student throughout the month with respect to which such determination is made.
(B)
Except to the extent provided in such regulations, an individual shall be deemed to be a full-time elementary or secondary school student during any period of nonattendance at an elementary or secondary school at which he has been in full-time attendance if
(ii)
he shows to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Social Security that he intends to continue to be in full-time attendance at an elementary or secondary school immediately following such period. An individual who does not meet the requirement of clause (ii) with respect to such period of nonattendance shall be deemed to have met such requirement (as of the beginning of such period) if he is in full-time attendance at an elementary or secondary school immediately following such period.
(C)
(i)
An “elementary or secondary school” is a school which provides elementary or secondary education, respectively, as determined under the law of the State or other jurisdiction in which it is located.
(ii)
For the purpose of determining whether a child is a “full-time elementary or secondary school student” or “intends to continue to be in full-time attendance at an elementary or secondary school”, within the meaning of this subsection, there shall be disregarded any education provided, or to be provided, beyond grade 12.
(D)
A child who attains age 19 at a time when he is a full-time elementary or secondary school student (as defined in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph and without application of subparagraph (B) of such paragraph) but has not (at such time) completed the requirements for, or received, a diploma or equivalent certificate from a secondary school (as defined in subparagraph (C)(i)) shall be deemed (for purposes of determining whether his entitlement to benefits under this subsection has terminated under paragraph (1)(F) and for purposes of determining his initial entitlement to such benefits under clause (i) of paragraph (1)(B)) not to have attained such age until the first day of the first month following the end of the quarter or semester in which he is enrolled at such time (or, if the elementary or secondary school (as defined in this paragraph) in which he is enrolled is not operated on a quarter or semester system, until the first day of the first month following the completion of the course in which he is so enrolled or until the first day of the third month beginning after such time, whichever first occurs).
(8)
In the case of—
(A)
an individual entitled to old-age insurance benefits (other than an individual referred to in subparagraph (B)), or
(B)
an individual entitled to disability insurance benefits, or an individual entitled to old-age insurance benefits who was entitled to disability insurance benefits for the month preceding the first month for which he was entitled to old-age insurance benefits,
a child of such individual adopted after such individual became entitled to such old-age or disability insurance benefits shall be deemed not to meet the requirements of clause (i) or (iii) of paragraph (1)(C) unless such child—
(C)
is the natural child or stepchild of such individual (including such a child who was legally adopted by such individual), or
(9)
(A)
A child who is a child of an individual under clause (3) of the first sentence of section
416
(e) of this title and is not a child of such individual under clause (1) or (2) of such first sentence shall be deemed not to be dependent on such individual at the time specified in subparagraph (1)(C) of this subsection unless
(i)
such child was living with such individual in the United States and receiving at least one-half of his support from such individual
(ii)
the period during which such child was living with such individual began before the child attained age 18.
(B)
In the case of a child who was born in the one-year period during which such child must have been living with and receiving at least one-half of his support from such individual, such child shall be deemed to meet such requirements for such period if, as of the close of such period, such child has lived with such individual in the United States and received at least one-half of his support from such individual for substantially all of the period which begins on the date of such child’s birth.
(e)
Widow’s insurance benefits
(1)
The widow (as defined in section
416
(c) of this title) and every surviving divorced wife (as defined in section
416
(d) of this title) of an individual who died a fully insured individual, if such widow or such surviving divorced wife—
(C)
(ii)
was entitled to wife’s insurance benefits, on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of such individual, for the month preceding the month in which such individual died, and—
(II)
is not entitled to benefits under subsection (a) of this section or section
423 of this title, or
(III)
has in effect a certificate (described in paragraph (8)) filed by her with the Commissioner of Social Security, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Commissioner of Social Security, in which she elects to receive widow’s insurance benefits (subject to reduction as provided in subsection (q) of this section), or
(D)
is not entitled to old-age insurance benefits or is entitled to old-age insurance benefits each of which is less than the primary insurance amount (as determined after application of subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (2)) of such deceased individual,
shall be entitled to a widow’s insurance benefit for each month, beginning with—
(E)
if she satisfies subparagraph (B) by reason of clause (i) thereof, the first month in which she becomes so entitled to such insurance benefits, or
(F)
if she satisfies subparagraph (B) by reason of clause (ii) thereof—
(i)
the first month after her waiting period (as defined in paragraph (5)) in which she becomes so entitled to such insurance benefits, or
(ii)
the first month during all of which she is under a disability and in which she becomes so entitled to such insurance benefits, but only if she was previously entitled to insurance benefits under this subsection on the basis of being under a disability and such first month occurs (I) in the period specified in paragraph (4) and (II) after the month in which a previous entitlement to such benefits on such basis terminated,
and ending with the month preceding the first month in which any of the following occurs: she remarries, dies, becomes entitled to an old-age insurance benefit equal to or exceeding the primary insurance amount (as determined after application of subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (2)) of such deceased individual, or, if she became entitled to such benefits before she attained age 60, subject to section
423
(e) of this title, the termination month (unless she attains retirement age (as defined in section
416
(l) of this title) on or before the last day of such termination month). For purposes of the preceding sentence, the termination month for any individual shall be the third month following the month in which her disability ceases; except that, in the case of an individual who has a period of trial work which ends as determined by application of section
422
(c)(4)(A) of this title, the termination month shall be the earlier of
(I)
the third month following the earliest month after the end of such period of trial work with respect to which such individual is determined to no longer be suffering from a disabling physical or mental impairment, or
(II)
the third month following the earliest month in which such individual engages or is determined able to engage in substantial gainful activity, but in no event earlier than the first month occurring after the 36 months following such period of trial work in which she engages or is determined able to engage in substantial gainful activity.
(2)
(A)
Except as provided in subsection (k)(5) of this section, subsection (q) of this section, and subparagraph (D) of this paragraph, such widow’s insurance benefit for each month shall be equal to the primary insurance amount (as determined for purposes of this subsection after application of subparagraphs (B) and (C)) of such deceased individual.
(B)
(i)
For purposes of this subsection, in any case in which such deceased individual dies before attaining age 62 and section
415
(a)(1) of this title (as in effect after December 1978) is applicable in determining such individual’s primary insurance amount—
(I)
such primary insurance amount shall be determined under the formula set forth in section
415
(a)(1)(B)(i) and (ii) of this title which is applicable to individuals who initially become eligible for old-age insurance benefits in the second year after the year specified in clause (ii),
(II)
the year specified in clause (ii) shall be substituted for the second calendar year specified in section
415
(b)(3)(A)(ii)(I) of this title, and
(III)
such primary insurance amount shall be increased under section
415
(i) of this title as if it were the primary insurance amount referred to in section
415
(i)(2)(A)(ii)(II) of this title, except that it shall be increased only for years beginning after the first year after the year specified in clause (ii).
(ii)
The year specified in this clause is the earlier of—
(iii)
This subparagraph shall apply with respect to any benefit under this subsection only to the extent its application does not result in a primary insurance amount for purposes of this subsection which is less than the primary insurance amount otherwise determined for such deceased individual under section
415 of this title.
(C)
If such deceased individual was (or upon application would have been) entitled to an old-age insurance benefit which was increased (or subject to being increased) on account of delayed retirement under the provisions of subsection (w) of this section, then, for purposes of this subsection, such individual’s primary insurance amount, if less than the old-age insurance benefit (increased, where applicable, under section
415
(f)(5),
415
(f)(6), or
415
(f)(9)(B) of this title and under section
415
(i) of this title as if such individual were still alive in the case of an individual who has died) which he was receiving (or would upon application have received) for the month prior to the month in which he died, shall be deemed to be equal to such old-age insurance benefit, and (notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (3) of such subsection (w) of this section) the number of increment months shall include any month in the months of the calendar year in which he died, prior to the month in which he died, which satisfy the conditions in paragraph (2) of such subsection (w) of this section.
(D)
If the deceased individual (on the basis of whose wages and self-employment income a widow or surviving divorced wife is entitled to widow’s insurance benefits under this subsection) was, at any time, entitled to an old-age insurance benefit which was reduced by reason of the application of subsection (q) of this section, the widow’s insurance benefit of such widow or surviving divorced wife for any month shall, if the amount of the widow’s insurance benefit of such widow or surviving divorced wife (as determined under subparagraph (A) and after application of subsection (q) of this section) is greater than—
(i)
the amount of the old-age insurance benefit to which such deceased individual would have been entitled (after application of subsection (q) of this section) for such month if such individual were still living and section
415