Title 42The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-73

§428 Benefits at age 72 for certain uninsured individuals

Title 42 › Chapter CHAPTER 7— - SOCIAL SECURITY › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER II— - FEDERAL OLD-AGE, SURVIVORS, AND DISABILITY INSURANCE BENEFITS › § 428

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Pays a monthly benefit to people who are age 72 and who meet certain work, residency, and application rules. If you turned 72 before 1968 you may qualify. If you turned 72 after 1967 but before 1972, you must have at least 3 quarters of coverage in each calendar year after 1966 up to the year you turned 72. You must live in the United States (the 50 States and DC). You must be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident who has lived in the United States continuously for the 5 years right before the month you apply. You must file an application. The monthly amount is the larger of $64.40 or the amount later set under section 415(i). The payment is reduced by any government pension you get. Spouse rules can lower a person’s payment based on the other spouse’s government pension. Reductions cannot make the payment negative. If the monthly result is under $1 it becomes zero. Amounts are rounded up to the next $0.10. Small payments under $5 may be held until they reach $5. The benefit is not paid for any month you are not a U.S. resident, or if you (or your spouse, when your needs were counted) get certain state cash aid under federal plans listed in the law. Definitions and funding: "Quarter of coverage" uses the usual meaning. "Governmental pension system" covers federal, state, local, or wholly owned public employer pension, retirement, annuity, or similar payment (not workers’ comp or VA service-connected payments). "Periodic benefit" includes lump sums that replace regular payments. The law treats these monthly payments like monthly insurance benefits for certain other rules. Money is authorized to be added to the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1969, and each year after, as the Commissioner of Social Security finds necessary to cover these payments, related admin costs, and any lost interest.

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §428

The Public Health and Welfare — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Every individual who—
(1)has attained the age of 72,
(2)(A)attained such age before 1968, or (B)(i) attained such age after 1967 and before 1972, and (ii) has not less than 3 quarters of coverage, whenever acquired, for each calendar year elapsing after 1966 and before the year in which he or she attained such age,
(3)is a resident of the United States (as defined in subsection (e)), and is (A) a citizen of the United States or (B) an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence who has resided in the United States (as defined in section 410(i) of this title) continuously during the 5 years immediately preceding the month in which he or she files application under this section, and
(4)has filed application for benefits under this section,
(b)The benefit amount to which an individual is entitled under this section for any month shall be the larger of $64.40 or the amount most recently established in lieu thereof under section 415(i) of this title.
(c)(1)The benefit amount of any individual under this section for any month shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the amount of any periodic benefit under a governmental pension system for which he or she is eligible for such month.
(2)In the case of a husband and wife only one of whom is entitled to benefits under this section for any month, the benefit amount, after any reduction under paragraph (1), shall be further reduced (but not below zero) by the excess (if any) of (A) the total amount of any periodic benefits under governmental pension systems for which the spouse who is not entitled to benefits under this section is eligible for such month, over (B) the benefit amount as determined without regard to this subsection.
(3)In the case of a husband or wife both of whom are entitled to benefits under this section for any month, the benefit amount of each spouse, after any reduction under paragraph (1), shall be further reduced (but not below zero) by the excess (if any) of (A) the total amount of any periodic benefits under governmental pension systems for which the other spouse is eligible for such month, over (B) the benefit amount of such other spouse as determined without regard to this subsection.
(4)For purposes of this subsection, in determining whether an individual is eligible for periodic benefits under a governmental pension system—
(A)such individual shall be deemed to have filed application for such benefits,
(B)to the extent that entitlement depends on an application by such individual’s spouse, such spouse shall be deemed to have filed application, and
(C)to the extent that entitlement depends on such individual or his or her spouse having retired, such individual and his or her spouse shall be deemed to have retired before the month for which the determination of eligibility is being made.
(5)For purposes of this subsection, if any periodic benefit is payable on any basis other than a calendar month, the Commissioner of Social Security shall allocate the amount of such benefit to the appropriate calendar months.
(6)If, under the foregoing provisions of this section, the amount payable for any month would be less than $1, such amount shall be reduced to zero. In the case of a husband and wife both of whom are entitled to benefits under this section for the month, the preceding sentence shall be applied with respect to the aggregate amount so payable for such month.
(7)If any benefit amount computed under the foregoing provisions of this section is not a multiple of $0.10, it shall be raised to the next higher multiple of $0.10.
(8)Under regulations prescribed by the Commissioner of Social Security, benefit payments under this section to an individual (or aggregate benefit payments under this section in the case of a husband and wife) of less than $5 may be accumulated until they equal or exceed $5.
(d)The benefit to which any individual is entitled under this section for any month shall not be paid for such month if—
(1)such individual receives aid or assistance in the form of money payments in such month under a State plan approved under subchapter I, X, XIV, or XVI, or under a State program funded under part A of subchapter IV, or
(2)such individual’s husband or wife receives such aid or assistance in such month, and under the State plan the needs of such individual were taken into account in determining eligibility for (or amount of) such aid or assistance,
(e)The benefit to which any individual is entitled under this section for any month shall not be paid if, during such month, such individual is not a resident of the United States. For purposes of this subsection, the term “United States” means the 50 States and the District of Columbia.
(f)For purposes of subsections (t) and (u) of section 402 of this title, and of section 1395s of this title, a monthly benefit under this section shall be treated as a monthly insurance benefit payable under section 402 of this title.
(g)There are authorized to be appropriated to the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1969, and for each fiscal year thereafter, such sums as the Commissioner of Social Security deems necessary on account of—
(1)payments made under this section during the second preceding fiscal year and all fiscal years prior thereto to individuals who, as of the beginning of the calendar year in which falls the month for which payment was made, had less than 3 quarters of coverage,
(2)the additional administrative expenses resulting from the payments described in paragraph (1), and
(3)any loss in interest to such Trust Fund resulting from such payments and expenses,
(h)For purposes of this section—
(1)The term “quarter of coverage” includes a quarter of coverage as defined in section 228e(l) of title 45.
(2)The term “governmental pension system” means the insurance system established by this subchapter or any other system or fund established by the United States, a State, any political subdivision of a State, or any wholly owned instrumentality of any one or more of the foregoing which provides for payment of (A) pensions, (B) retirement or retired pay, or (C) annuities or similar amounts payable on account of personal services performed by any individual (not including any payment under any workmen’s compensation law or any payment by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs as compensation for service-connected disability or death).
(3)The term “periodic benefit” includes a benefit payable in a lump sum if it is a commutation of, or a substitute for, periodic payments.
(4)The determination of whether an individual is a husband or wife for any month shall be made under subsection (h) of section 416 of this title without regard to subsections (b) and (f) of section 416 of this title.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

section 211 of Pub. L. 93–66, referred to in subsec. (d), is set out as a note under section 1382 of this title. section 228e(l) of title 45, referred to in subsec. (h)(1), is a reference to section 5(l) of the Railroad Retirement Act of 1937. That Act was amended in its entirety and completely revised by Pub. L. 93–445, Oct. 16, 1974, 88 Stat. 1305. The Act, as thus amended and revised, was redesignated the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974, and is classified generally to subchapter IV (§ 231 et seq.) of chapter 9 of Title 45, Railroads. Section 228e of title 45 is covered by section 231e of Title 45.

Amendments

1996—Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 104–193 inserted “under a State program funded under” before “part A of subchapter IV”. 1994—Subsecs. (c)(5), (8), (d), (g). Pub. L. 103–296 substituted “Commissioner of Social Security” for “Secretary” wherever appearing. 1991—Subsec. (h)(2). Pub. L. 102–54 substituted “Secretary of Veterans Affairs” for “Veterans’ Administration”. 1990—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 101–508 substituted “(B)(i) attained such age after 1967 and before 1972, and (ii)” for “(B)”. 1984—Subsec. (c)(4)(C). Pub. L. 98–369, § 2662(e), amended directory language of Pub. L. 98–21, § 305(d)(2). See 1983 Amendment note below. Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 98–369, § 2663(j)(3)(A)(iv), struck out “of Health, Education, and Welfare” after “Secretary”. 1983—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 98–21, § 305(d)(1), substituted “he or she” for “he” wherever appearing. Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 98–21, § 305(a), substituted “The” for “(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the” and struck out par. (2), which had provided that if both husband and wife were entitled or would have been entitled upon application to benefits under this section for any month, the amount of the husband’s benefit for such month would be the larger of $64.40 or the amount most recently established in lieu thereof under section 415(i) of this title, and the amount of the wife’s benefit for such month the larger of $32.20 or the amount most recently established in lieu thereof under section 415(i) of this title. Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 98–21, § 305(d)(1), substituted “he or she” for “he”. Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 98–21, § 305(b), substituted “(B) the benefit amount as determined without regard to this subsection” for “(B) the larger of $32.20 or the amount most recently established in lieu thereof under section 415(i) of this title”. Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 98–21, § 305(c), amended par. (3) generally, substituting provisions relating to either a husband or wife for provision that the benefit amount of the wife, after any reduction under paragraph (1), would be further reduced (but not below zero) by the excess (if any) of (i) the total amount of any periodic benefits under governmental pension systems for which the husband was eligible for such month, over (ii) the larger of $64.40 or the amount most recently established in lieu thereof under section 415(i) of this title, and that the benefit amount of the husband, after any reduction under paragraph (1), would be further reduced (but not below zero) by the excess (if any) of (i) the total amount of any periodic benefits under governmental pension systems for which the wife was eligible for such month, over (ii) the larger of $32.20 or the amount most recently established in lieu thereof under section 415(i) of this title. Subsec. (c)(4)(C). Pub. L. 98–21, § 305(d)(2), as amended by Pub. L. 98–369, § 2662(e), substituted “his or her” for “his” wherever appearing. 1973—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 93–233, § 2(b)(1), substituted “the larger of $64.40 or the amount most recently established in lieu thereof under section 415(i) of this title” for “$58.00” in pars. (1) and (2) and “the larger of $32.20 or the amount most recently established in lieu thereof under section 415(i) of this title” for “$29.00” in par. (2). Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 93–233, § 2(b)(1), substituted “the larger of $64.40 or the amount most recently established in lieu thereof under section 415(i) of this title” for “$58.00” in par. (3), subpar. (A) and “the larger of $32.20 or the amount most recently established in lieu thereof under section 415(i) of this title” for “$29.00” in par. (2) and par. (3) subpar. (B). Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 93–233, § 18(c) provided for elimination of benefits at age 72 for uninsured individuals receiving supplemental security income benefits. 1972—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 92–336, § 201(g)(2)(A), substituted “$58.00” for “$48.30”. Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 92–336, § 201(g)(2)(B), substituted “$58.00” for “$48.30” and “$29.00” for “$24.20”. Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 92–336, § 201(g)(2)(C), substituted “$29.00” for “$24.20”. Subsec. (c)(3)(A). Pub. L. 92–336, § 201(g)(2)(D), substituted “$58.00” for “$48.30”. Subsec. (c)(3)(B). Pub. L. 92–336, § 201(g)(2)(E), substituted “$29.00” for “$24.20”. 1971—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 92–5, § 202(b)(1), substituted “$48.30” for “$46”. Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 92–5, § 202(b)(2), substituted “$48.30” for “$46” and “$24.20” for “$23”. Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 92–5, § 202(b)(3), substituted “$24.20” for “$23”. Subsec. (c)(3)(A). Pub. L. 92–5, § 202(b)(4), substituted “$48.30” for “$46”. Subsec. (c)(3)(B). Pub. L. 92–5, § 202(b)(5), substituted “$24.20” for “$23”. 1969—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 91–172, § 1003(b)(1), substituted “$46” for “$40”. Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 91–172, § 1003(b)(2), substituted “$46” for “$40” and “$23” for “$20”. Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 91–172, § 1003(b)(3), substituted “$23” for “$20”. Subsec. (c)(3)(A). Pub. L. 91–172, § 1003(b)(4), substituted “$46” for “$40”. Subsec. (c)(3)(B). Pub. L. 91–172, § 1003(b)(5), substituted “$23” for “$20”. 1968—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 90–248, § 102(b)(1), substituted “$40” for “$35”. Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 90–248, § 102(b)(2), substituted “$40” for “$35” and “$20” for $17.50”. Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 90–248, § 102(b)(3), substituted “$20” for “$17.50”. Subsec. (c)(3)(A). Pub. L. 90–248, § 102(b)(4), substituted “$40” for “$35”. Subsec. (c)(3)(B). Pub. L. 90–248, § 102(b)(5), substituted “$20” for “$17.50”. Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 90–248, § 241(a), struck out “IV,” after “I,” and inserted “or part A of subchapter IV,” after “XVI,”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 1996 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 104–193 effective July 1, 1997, with transition rules relating to State options to accelerate such date, rules relating to claims, actions, and proceedings commenced before such date, rules relating to closing out of accounts for terminated or substantially modified programs and continuance in office of Assistant Secretary for Family Support, and provisions relating to termination of entitlement under AFDC program, see section 116 of Pub. L. 104–193, as amended, set out as an

Effective Date

note under section 601 of this title.

Effective Date

of 1994 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 103–296 effective Mar. 31, 1995, see section 110(a) of Pub. L. 103–296, set out as a note under section 401 of this title.

Effective Date

of 1990 Amendment Pub. L. 101–508, title V, § 5114(b), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–274, provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply with respect [to] benefits payable on the basis of applications filed after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 5, 1990].”

Effective Date

of 1984 AmendmentAmendment by section 2662(e) of Pub. L. 98–369 effective as though included in the enactment of the Social Security

Amendments

of 1983, Pub. L. 98–21, see section 2664(a) of Pub. L. 98–369, set out as a note under section 401 of this title. Amendment by section 2663(j)(3)(A)(iv) of Pub. L. 98–369 effective July 18, 1984, but not to be construed as changing or affecting any right, liability, status, or interpretation which existed (under the provisions of law involved) before that date, see section 2664(b) of Pub. L. 98–369, set out as a note under section 401 of this title.

Effective Date

of 1983 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 98–21 applicable only with respect to monthly payments payable under this subchapter for months after April 1983, see section 310 of Pub. L. 98–21, set out as a note under section 402 of this title.

Effective Date

of 1973 Amendment Pub. L. 93–233, § 2(b)(1), Dec. 31, 1973, 87 Stat. 952, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective June 1, 1974. Amendment by section 2(b)(1) of Pub. L. 93–233 applicable with respect to monthly benefits under this subchapter for months after May 1974, and with respect to lump-sum death payments under section 402(i) of this title, see section 2(c) of Pub. L. 93–233, set out as a note under section 415 of this title.

Effective Date

of 1972 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 92–336 applicable with respect to monthly benefits under subchapter II of this chapter for months after August 1972, see section 201(i) of Pub. L. 92–336, set out as a note under section 415 of this title.

Effective Date

of 1971 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 92–5 applicable with respect to monthly benefits under subchapter II of this chapter for months after December 1970, see section 202(c) of Pub. L. 92–5, set out as a note under section 427 of this title.

Effective Date

of 1969 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 91–172 applicable for months after December 1969, see section 1003(c) of Pub. L. 91–172, set out as a note under section 427 of this title.

Effective Date

of 1968 AmendmentAmendment by section 102(b) of Pub. L. 90–248 applicable with respect to monthly benefits under this subchapter for months after January 1968, see section 102(c) of Pub. L. 90–248, set out as a note under section 427 of this title. Repeal of Amendment of Subsecs. (b)(1), (2) and (c)(3)(A), (B) Prior to

Effective Date

Pub. L. 92–336, title II, § 202(a)(4), July 1, 1972, 86 Stat. 416, which, effective Jan. 1, 1975, substituted “the larger of $58.00 or the amount most recently established in lieu thereof under section 415(i) of this title” for “$58.00” and “the larger of $29.00 or the amount most recently established in lieu thereof under section 415(i) of this title” for “$29.00”, was repealed prior to its

Effective Date

by Pub. L. 93–233, § 2(b)(2), Dec. 31, 1973, 87 Stat. 952, applicable with respect to monthly benefits under this subchapter for months after May 1974, and with respect to lump-sum death payments under section 402(i) of this title. See section 2(c) of Pub. L. 93–233, set out as an

Effective Date

of 1973 Amendment note under section 415 of this title. Application to Northern Mariana IslandsFor applicability of this section to the Northern Mariana Islands, see section 502(a)(1) of the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America and Proc. No. 4534, Oct. 24, 1977, 42 F.R. 56593, set out as notes under section 1801 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions. Increases To Take Into Account General Benefit Increases Pub. L. 98–21, title III, § 305(e), Apr. 20, 1983, 97 Stat. 113, provided that: “The Secretary shall increase the amounts specified in section 228 of the Social Security Act [this section], as amended by this section, to take into account any general benefit increases (as referred to in section 215(i)(3) of such Act [42 U.S.C. 415(i)(3)]), and any increases under section 215(i) of such Act, which have occurred after June 1974 or may hereafter occur.” Special $50 Payment Under Tax Reduction Act of 1975Special payment of $50 as soon as practicable after Mar. 29, 1975, by Secretary of the Treasury to each individual who, for month of March 1975, was entitled to a monthly insurance benefit payable under this subchapter, see section 702 of Pub. L. 94–12, set out as a note under section 402 of this title. Applications for Transitional Coverage of Uninsured Individuals for Hospital Insurance Benefits Pub. L. 89–368, title III, § 302(b), Mar. 15, 1966, 80 Stat. 70, provided that: “For purposes of paragraph (4) of section 228(a) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 428(a)(4)] (added by subsection (a) of this section), an application filed under section 103 of the Social Security

Amendments

of 1965 [set out as a note under section 426 of this title] before July 1966 shall be regarded as an application under such section 228 [42 U.S.C. 428] and shall, for purposes of such paragraph and of the last sentence of such section 228(a), be deemed to have been filed in July 1966, unless the person by whom or on whose behalf such application was filed notifies the Secretary that he does not want such application so regarded.”

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

42 U.S.C. § 428

Title 42The Public Health and Welfare

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73