The Tier 1 Benefit component amount of your employee, spouse or divorced spouse annuity already includes credit for the railroad worker's earnings covered by social security taxes. When you file for social security benefits (SS benefits), the RRB must reduce your Tier 1 component by the amount of SS benefits you receive.
If you are awarded SS benefits, the RRB usually will pay them combined with your annuity. We will adjust your Tier 1 and send you a letter to explain the two benefits. If SSA notifies you that they, not the RRB, will pay your SS benefit payments, notify the nearest RRB field office at once. It is your responsibility to notify us. Do not expect the Social Security Administration (SSA) to tell the RRB that you are being paid SS benefits. Any delay could cause your annuity to be overpaid. In many cases, filing for SS benefits will not increase your total benefit rate, because of the reduction in your Tier 1 component.
If your annuity is increased under the Special Guaranty provision (see booklet G-179, Special Guaranty in Employee and Spouse Annuities), you must notify the RRB if any spouse, minor child, disabled child or student child included in that computation begins to receive SS benefits, on any account number.