Notwithstanding the maximum limitations of 4702, death benefits for minor children should continue until which event?

• A. The youngest child turns 18 or until the death of a child physically or mentally incapacitated
• B. The youngest child turns 16
• C. All children reach adulthood
• D. Death benefits end at 18 regardless

Answer: (A)

The key idea is how death benefits to minor dependents are timed. For minor children, the standard duration is until they reach 18, but there is an important exception: if a child is physically or mentally incapacitated, the benefits continue for that child for their lifetime. So, death benefits to minor children continue until the youngest child turns 18, or, if there is a child who is incapacitated, until that child’s death. This is why the correct understanding is that the end event is either the youngest child reaching 18 or the death of an incapacitated child. The other options don’t fit because there isn’t a flat end at 16 or at 18 for all children, and the incapacitated dependent rule allows for lifetime continuation rather than a uniform end.