# Gavin Andresen
# 2010-07-14 01:44:36
# https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=300.msg2710#msg2710

No, actually, in the current source code it never gets lowered: @p{brk}

Code:
    // Retarget @p{brk}
    CBigNum bnNew; @p{brk}
    bnNew.SetCompact(pindexLast-@s{gt}nBits); @p{brk}
    bnNew *= nActualTimespan; @p{brk}
    bnNew /= nTargetTimespan; @p{par}

    if (bnNew @s{gt} bnProofOfWorkLimit) @p{brk}
        bnNew = bnProofOfWorkLimit; @p{par}

    /// debug print @p{brk}
    printf("GetNextWorkRequired RETARGET\n"); @p{brk}

There's no "else if (bnNew @p{lt} ...something)" @p{par}

@p{(bf}UPDATE@p{bf)}:  rodin is right, I'm wrong.  bnProofOfWorkLimit is a constant, and this code just make sure the proof of work never gets too easy.