In order to be considered a widow(er) or mother/father, you must:
- be the legal widow(er) of the employee;
- have been married to the employee for at least 9 full months before the employee's death. You must not have been divorced from the employee at the time of death.
- If you were not married to the employee for at least 9 full months you should contact the nearest Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) office. There are a few specific exceptions to the 9-month marriage requirement which the personnel in that office will explain to you; and
- have not remarried since the employee's death.
You must provide proof of your marriage to the employee. Refer to section "Proof Of Marriage" in Part IV for further information.