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SSA RIN: 0960-AF78 Publication ID: Spring 2009 
Title: Stepchild Entitlement and Termination Requirements (934F) 
Abstract: We will amend our regulations to incorporate the changes to the entitlement and termination requirements for stepchild's benefits introduced by the Contract with America Advancement Act of 1996. The statutory changes allow a stepchild to be considered dependent upon an insured stepparent for purposes of entitlement to benefits as a stepchild, only if he or she is receiving at least one-half support from the insured stepparent. The changes also require benefit termination when the stepchild's natural parent and the insured stepparent divorce. We will extend the termination requirement to include: (1) a divorce that ends the marriage between a stepchild's adoptive parent and the insured stepparent; and (2) a prospective annulment that ends the marriage between a stepchild's natural or adoptive parent and the stepparent. We also will include in the regulations our longstanding policy that a stepchild's benefits are terminated when the marriage between the stepchild's parent and the stepparent is annulled from the beginning (ab initio). These rules will reflect enacted legislation and provide accurate and complete guidelines for determining entitlement to benefits. 
Agency: Social Security Administration(SSA)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Final Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 20 CFR 404.352    20 CFR 404.363   
Legal Authority: 42 USC 402    42 USC 403(a) to 403(b)    42 USC 405(a)    42 USC 416    42 USC 423    42 USC 425    42 USC 428(a) to 428(e)    42 USC 902(a)(5)   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  08/12/2003  68 FR 47877   
NPRM Comment Period End  10/14/2003    
Final Action  12/00/2009    
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: No  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
Public Comment URL: www.regulations.gov  
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Peter White
Social Insurance Specialist
Social Security Administration
Office of Income Security Programs, 6401 Security Boulevard,
Baltimore, MD 21235-6401
Phone:410 594-2041

Suzanne DiMarino
Social Insurance Specialist, Regulations Writer
Social Security Administration
Office of Regulations, 6401 Security Boulevard,
Baltimore, MD 21225-6401
Phone:410 965-7102