You may select the date you wish your disability annuity payments to begin.
The day you may select is either:
- the earliest date permitted by law, or
- another date that may be more advantageous to you.
A. General Rule
Generally, the earliest annuity beginning date permitted by law is the latest of the following:
- The first day of the 12th month before the month in which the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) received your annuity application, or
- the first day of the month following the disability annuity waiting period.
B. Previous Disability Annuity Rule
If you previously received a disability annuity which ended within 5 years of the month your current disability begins, the earliest annuity beginning date permitted by law is the latest of the following:
- The first day of the 12th month before the month in which the RRB received your annuity application, or;
- the first day of the month you again became disabled.
If the date you select is earlier than the earliest date permitted by law, your annuity will begin on the earliest date permitted by law.
C. Disability Annuity Waiting Period
If the beginning date of your annuity is determined under the General Rule as described above, a waiting period must be completed before your annuity can begin. The waiting period ends the last day of the 5th month after the month your disability began.