OFFICE OF THE LABOR MEMBER
U.S. RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD
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For Publication
September 2006
Applying for a Railroad Retirement Annuity
Railroad employees who are planning to retire should be aware of what steps
to take and what documents are required when applying for an annuity from the
Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). Being prepared can prevent needless delays and
ensure that payments from the RRB begin as soon as possible after retirement.
The following questions and answers describe the application process and other
related items that retiring employees should be aware of.
1. How are railroad retirement annuity applications filed?
Applications are filed through the RRB's field offices. Applicants may file
in person or by telephone and mail. Those filing in person may do so at any RRB
office or at one of the office's Customer OutReach Program (CORP) service
locations. Applicants filing by telephone receive the same information and
instructions that are provided to those filing in person; forms requiring
signatures and other documents are then handled by mail.
The addresses and phone numbers of all the RRB's field offices are available
on the agency's Web site at www.rrb.gov or by
calling the toll-free RRB Help Line at 1-800-808-0772. The RRB Help Line is an
automated telephone service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. RRB field
offices are open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except on Federal holidays.
2. Can an application be filed prior to a person's actual retirement date?
The RRB accepts annuity applications up to 3 months in advance of an annuity
beginning date, which allows the RRB to complete the processing of most new
claims by a person's retirement date. Also, effective for applications filed on
or after January 1, 2006, an employee can be in compensated service while filing
a disability application provided that the compensated service terminates within
90 days from the date of filing. When an employee files a disability
application while still in compensated service, it will be necessary for the
employee to provide a specific ending date of the compensation. Compensated
service includes not only compensation with respect to active service performed
by an employee for an employer, but also includes pay for time lost, wage
continuation payments, certain employee protection payments and any other
payment for which the employee will receive additional creditable service.
To expedite the filing process, applicants should contact the RRB to schedule
time for a pre-retirement consultation and also to confirm their eligibility and
be advised as to the required documents. The consultation can be conducted in
person, or by telephone, with an RRB representative who will provide an annuity
estimate, explain a retiree's benefit rights and responsibilities, and answer
related questions.
Railroad employees can also get estimates of their future annuities over the
Internet. Employees can access this service, called "Retirement Planner," by
visiting www.rrb.gov and clicking on "Benefit
Online Services (MainLine)" for directions on establishing an RRB Internet
Services account.
3. What are some of the documents required with an application?
* All supporting forms requested on the annuity application.
* All applicants have to furnish proof of their age.
* All applicants should be prepared to furnish the notice of any social security
benefit award or other social security claim determination.
* An employee may be required to submit information regarding any other Federal,
State or local government pension for which he or she also qualifies, as well as
certain other payments not covered by railroad retirement or social security,
such as from a non-profit organization or from a foreign government or a foreign
employer.
* An employee or survivor filing for a disability annuity is required to submit
supporting medical information from his or her treating physician, as well as
any reports or records from recent hospitalizations. He or she may also be
asked to go for one or more specialized medical examinations. If an employee
disability applicant is receiving workers' compensation or public disability
benefits, notice of the amount and beginning date of such payments must be
submitted.
* An employee will have to furnish proof of any military service claimed.
* A spouse, divorced spouse or widow(er) applying for a railroad retirement
annuity must furnish proof of marriage to the employee. A divorced spouse must
furnish proof of a final divorce from the employee, as well as proof that any
subsequent marriages have terminated.
* A spouse, divorced spouse or survivor also qualified to receive a public
service pension must submit information regarding that pension.
* All applicants have to provide banking information necessary for the Direct
Deposit of their benefit payments.
A booklet, "Furnishing Evidence to Support Your Claim" (Form RB-3), gives
detailed information as to the types of proofs that are required when filing for
an annuity, as well as sources from which these documents can be obtained. The
booklet is available free of charge at any RRB office or at
www.rrb.gov.
4. Can proofs be filed in advance of retirement?
Railroad employees are encouraged to file proofs of their correct birth date
and their military service well in advance of retirement. The information will
be recorded and stored electronically until they actually retire. This will
expedite the annuity application process and avoid any delays resulting from
inadequate proofs.
If employees do not have an official record of their birth or military
service, their local RRB office will explain how to get acceptable evidence.
All evidence brought or mailed to an RRB office will be handled carefully and
returned promptly.
5. What is the retroactivity of a railroad retirement application?
The retroactivity of a railroad retirement annuity application is limited to
1 year for disability annuities and 6 months for full age annuities. There is
generally no retroactivity for reduced age annuities.
Retroactivity of a survivor annuity application is 1 year for disabled
widow(er)s and 6 months for full retirement age widow(er)s, mothers (fathers),
children and parents. Retroactivity for widow(er)s ages 60-61 is 6 months if it
does not increase the age reduction (this does not apply to surviving divorced
spouses or remarried widow(er)s). Otherwise, there is generally no
retroactivity for reduced age widow(er)s' annuities.
6. Are retiring railroad employees required to relinquish their rights to their
railroad jobs?
An employee annuity based on age cannot be paid until the employee stops
railroad employment and gives up any rights to return to work for a railroad
employer. While an annuity based on disability is not paid until an employee
has stopped working for a railroad, employment rights need not be relinquished
until the employee attains full retirement age. However, in order for a
supplemental annuity to be paid by the RRB, or for an eligible spouse to begin
receiving annuity payments, a disabled annuitant under full retirement age must
relinquish employment rights. And, regardless of age and/or earnings, no
railroad retirement annuity is payable for any month in which a retired or
disabled employee annuitant, a spouse annuitant or a survivor annuitant works
for an employer covered under the Railroad Retirement Act. However, service for
less than $25 a month to a local lodge will not prevent payment of the annuity
for that month.
Railroad retirement annuitants may work in nonrailroad employment, but
benefits may be reduced if a beneficiary under full retirement age works after
retirement and earnings exceed annual exempt amounts. Additional earnings
deductions are assessed if a retired or disabled employee annuitant, or a spouse
annuitant, works for his or her last pre-retirement nonrailroad employer,
regardless of age or the level of earnings.
Special restrictions also apply to any earnings by disabled employees.
7. How soon after filing can an applicant expect payment?
Under the RRB's Customer Service Plan, persons who filed for their railroad
retirement employee or spouse annuity in advance will receive their first
payment, or a decision, within 35 days of the beginning date of their annuity.
Persons who did not file in advance will receive their first payment, or a
decision, within 65 days of the date they filed their application. Those who
filed for a railroad retirement survivor annuity or lump-sum benefit will
receive their first payment, or a decision, within 65 days of the date they
filed their application, or became entitled to benefits, if later. Widows or
widow(er)s who are already receiving a spouse annuity will receive their first
payment, or a decision, within 35 days of the date the RRB receives notice of
the employee's death.
For disability annuities, no payment can be made until all medical evidence
has been evaluated. Consequently, an annuity based on disability takes longer
to process than an annuity based on age and service. And, a waiting period of 5
months is required after the onset of disability before disability annuity
payments can begin. Under the Customer Service Plan, persons who filed for a
railroad retirement disability annuity will receive a decision on their claim
within 105 days from the date they filed their application. If they are
entitled to disability benefits, they will receive their first payment within 25
days of the date of that decision, or earliest payment date, whichever is later.
Of course, claims for some benefits may take longer to handle than others if
they are more complex, or if information from other people or organizations is
needed. If this happens, the RRB will provide an explanation and an estimate of
the time required to make a decision.
8. How are railroad retirement payments made?
Persons applying for railroad retirement benefits will be automatically
enrolled in the U.S. Treasury's Direct Deposit Program, which electronically
transfers Federal payments into individuals' checking or savings accounts.
Direct Deposit waivers are, however, available to individuals who determine that
Direct Deposit would cause a hardship, and to individuals without bank accounts.
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