Ask Rusty – Will the Family Maximum Limit My Benefits?

Dear Rusty: I have a question about the family maximum SS retirement benefit. As I understand it, if the breadwinner is drawing retirement benefits or is deceased, the family maximum is calculated from a formula that yields a figure between 150 percent and 188 percent of the bread- winner's primary insur ance amount — his or her monthly benefit if claimed at full retirement age. That age is 66…