TRANSITIONAL INSURED STATUS[301]
Sec. 227. [42 U.S.C. 427] (a) In the case of any individual who attains the age of 72 before 1969 but who does not meet the requirements of section 214(a), the 6 quarters of coverage referred to in paragraph (1) of section 214(a) shall, instead, be 3 quarters of coverage for purposes of determining entitlement of such individual to benefits under section 202(a), and of the spouse to benefits under section 202(b) or section 202(c), but, in the case of such spouse, only if he or she attains the age of 72 before 1969 and only with respect to spouse’s insurance benefits under section 202(b) or section 202(c) for and after the month in which he or she attains such age. For each month before the month in which any such individual meets the requirements of section 214(a), the amount of the old-age insurance benefit shall, notwithstanding the provisions of section 202(a), be the larger of $64.40 or the amount most recently established in lieu thereof under section 215(i) and the amount of the spouse’s insurance benefit of the spouse shall, notwithstanding the provisions of section 202(b) or section 202(c), be the larger of $32.20 or the amount most recently established in lieu thereof under section 215(i).
(b) In the case of any individual who has died, who does not meet the requirements of section 214(a), and whose surviving spouse attains age 72 before 1969, the 6 quarters of coverage referred to in paragraph (3) of section 214(a) and in paragraph (1) thereof shall, for purposes of determining the entitlement to surviving spouse’s insurance benefits under section 202(e) or section 202(f), instead be—
(1) 3 quarters of coverage if such surviving spouse attains the age of 72 in or before 1966,
(2) 4 quarters of coverage if such surviving spouse attains the age of 72 in 1967, or
(3) 5 quarters of coverage if such surviving spouse attains the age of 72 in 1968.
The amount of the surviving spouse’s insurance benefit for each month shall, notwithstanding the provisions of section 202(e) or section 202(f) (and section 202(m)), be the larger of $64.40 or the amount most recently established in lieu thereof under section 215(i).
(c) In the case of any individual who becomes, or upon filing application therefor would become, entitled to benefits under section 202(a) by reason of the application of subsection (a) of this section, who dies, and whose surviving spouse attains the age of 72 before 1969, such deceased individual shall be deemed to meet the requirements of subsection (b) of this section for purposes of determining entitlement of such surviving spouse to surviving spouse’s insurance benefits under section 202(e) or section 202(f).
[301] See Vol. II, Appendices A and B, Cost-of-Living Increase and Other Determinations, with respect to flat-rate benefits to workers age 72 and not insured under usual requirements.