If the railroad retirement family maximum applies, and the reduction amount is higher than the spouse tier II rate, as shown in part 226 of this chapter, the initial supplemental annuity rate from § 227.2 is reduced by the smaller of—

(a) The difference between the total railroad retirement maximum reduction amount and the reduction in the spouse annuity; or

(b) The total supplemental annuity rate from § 227.2.

[50 FR 11502, Mar. 22, 1985, as amended at 54 FR 12903, Mar. 29, 1989]