Stop Railroad Work

In addition to the requirements in Applying for Your Annuity, if you are working for a railroad, you must stop the railroad work and give up any rights you have to return to such work.

Also note that, after the annuity is awarded, payment cannot be made for any month in which you return to work for a railroad employer.

File RRA Annuity Application

You must file an RRA application for a spouse annuity or divorced spouse annuity to receive railroad retirement spouse or divorced spouse benefits.

If you were previously entitled to spouse benefits based on Child-in-Care that terminated when the child attained age 18, you may need to file another spouse annuity application. This application is required to pay spouse benefits based on your age. Please discuss this with an RRB representative.

When you file an application, you may select the day you want your annuity to begin. You have two choices: the earliest date permitted by law, or a later date designated by you that may be to your advantage.

Most applicants select the earliest date permitted by law. This means the RRB will set your annuity beginning date as the very first day it could legally begin. If you choose to select a beginning date yourself, your annuity will begin on that date. However, the date you choose cannot be before the earliest date permitted by law.

Note, if you delay filing for benefits, you may lose benefits for some or all of the period before the month in which you file.

Earliest Spouse Annuity Beginning Date

The earliest spouse annuity beginning date permitted by law is the latest of the following:

• the first day of the month you meet the marriage requirement;
• the day after the day you last worked in the railroad industry;
• the first day of the first full month in which you are age 62 if the employee has less than 360 months of railroad service and you file for a Reduced Age Annuity;
• the first day of the first full month in which you are age 60 if the employee has at least 360 months of railroad service;
• the first day of the month in which you are Full Retirement Age (FRA) if the employee has less than 360 months of railroad service and you file for a Full Age Annuity;
• the first day of the month in which you filed your annuity application if your annuity is reduced for early retirement and an earlier beginning date would increase your age reduction; or,
• the first full month you have the employee’s Child-in-Care, regardless of the dates in Items 3 - 5; or,
• the first day of the sixth month prior to the month in which you filed your annuity application if your annuity is not reduced for age or if an earlier beginning date would not increase an age reduction.

However, your spouse annuity will not begin before the railroad employee’s annuity begins or before the railroad employee meets the age requirement.

If items 1- 5 apply, you can file your application up to three months before the earliest annuity beginning date permitted by law.

Earliest Divorced Spouse Annuity Beginning Date

The earliest divorced spouse annuity beginning date permitted by law is the latest of the following:

• the first day of the month in which your decree of absolute divorce becomes final;
• the day after the day you last worked in the railroad industry;
• the first day of the first full month in which you are age 62 if you file for a Reduced Age Annuity;
• the first day of month in which you are Full Retirement Age (FRA) if you file for a Full Age Annuity;
• the first day of the month in which you file your annuity application if your RRA annuity is reduced for early retirement; or,
• the first day of the sixth month prior to the month in which you file your annuity application if your RRA annuity is not reduced for early retirement.

However, your divorced spouse annuity will not begin before the railroad employee's annuity begins or before the railroad employee meets the age requirement.

If Items 1-4 above apply, you can file your application up to three months before the earliest annuity beginning date permitted by law.