Social Security Maximum Family Benefit (MFB): What You Should Know
The Maximum Family Benefit (MFB) is a critical but often overlooked aspect of Social Security. It places a cap on the total amount a family can receive based on one individual’s earnings record. This article explains how the MFB is calculated, how it applies to different Social Security benefits, which benefits count toward the limit, and what happens if the MFB is exceeded.
What is the Social Security Maximum Family Benefit?
The Maximum Family Benefit (MFB) is the upper limit on the total Social Security benefits that can be paid to a worker’s family based on that worker’s earnings record. This limit primarily affects families where multiple members—such as a spouse, children, and sometimes dependent parents—receive benefits based on the same individual’s work history.
How is the Maximum Family Benefit Calculated?
Retiree and Survivor MFB
For retirees and deceased workers, the Social Security Administration (SSA) calculates the MFB using a formula based on the worker’s Primary Insurance Amount (PIA)—the amount the worker would receive at full retirement age (FRA). The MFB is determined using four fixed percentages called “bend points” applied to portions of the worker’s PIA.
For 2025, the bend points for the MFB are:
- 150% of the first $1,567of PIA
- 272% of the amount between $1,567 and $2,262
- 134% of the amount between $2,262 and $2,950
- 175% of any amount above $2,950
For example, using the above bend points and a PIA of $2,500, your MFB would be calculated as follows:
- 150% x $1,567 = $2,350.5
- 272% x $695 = $1,890.40 ($2,262 – $1,567 = $695)
- 134% x $238 = $318.92 ($2,500 PIA – $2,262 = $238)
- The last bracket isn’t used.
Disability MFB
For families receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), the MFB is more restrictive. The formula is simpler:
- The MFB is typically 85% of the worker’s AIME (average indexed monthly earnings), but
- It cannot be lower than 100% or higher than 150% of the worker’s PIA
What Benefits Count Toward the Maximum Family Benefit?
Several types of benefits paid to family members count toward the MFB limit:
- Worker’s Own Benefit – If the worker is still living when benefits are paid, their benefits are counted towards the MFB limit.
- Spousal Benefits – A spouse can receive up to 50% of the worker’s PIA in retirement (or a reduced amount if taken before FRA).
- Child Benefits – Dependent children under 18 (or up to 19 if still in high school) and disabled adult children can receive benefits.
- Child-In-Care – Spouses can receive benefits if they are caring for a child under the age of 16 or an adult disabled child. (More Info)
- Childhood Disability Benefit (CDB) – A child who was disabled before the age of 22 is eligible for child benefits into adulthood.
- Survivor Benefits – Spouses, minor children, and dependent parents can receive benefits if the worker is deceased.
- Dependent Parent Benefits – If the worker has a dependent parent aged 62 or older, they may also qualify for benefits.
What Happens if the MFB is Exceeded?
When the total benefits calculated for a worker’s family exceed the MFB, the worker’s own benefit remains unaffected, but the SSA reduces each auxiliary beneficiary’s benefit proportionally until the total amount falls within the cap.
Continuing the example above with a $2,500 PIA, if the worker has a spouse with child-in-care and two children who are 14 and 17, here is how their benefits would be calculated and limited:
| Beneficiary | PIA | Eligible | Before MFB Benefit | Reduction | Final Benefit |
| Worker | $ 2,500 | 100% of $2,500 | $ 2,500 | Not Reduced | $ 2,500 |
| Spouse | 50% of $2,500 | $ 1,250 | Reduced to 1/3th of Remaining | $ 687 | |
| Child 14 | 50% of $2,500 | $ 1,250 | Reduced to 1/3th of Remaining | $ 687 | |
| Child 17 | 50% of $2,500 | $ 1,250 | Reduced to 1/3th of Remaining | $ 687 | |
| Total Benefit | $ 6,250 | $ 4,560 | |||