You may select the date you wish your disability annuity payments to begin.
The date you select can be either:
- the earliest date permitted by law, or
- another date that may be more advantageous to you.
General Rule
Generally, the earliest annuity beginning date permitted by law is the later of:
- the first day of the month in which the employee died; or
- 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 you attain age 50; or
- the first day of the month you are no longer entitled to annuity payments based on caring for a child of the employee; or
- the first day of the month following the disability waiting period.
Disability Annuity Waiting Period
A waiting period must be completed before your annuity can begin. The waiting period ends the last day of the 5th full month after the month we determine your disability began.
Previous Disability Annuity Rule
If you previously received a disability annuity which ended within 7 years of the month we determine your current disability began, the earliest annuity beginning date permitted by law is the later of:
- the first day of the month in which the employee died; or
- the first day of the 12th month before the month in which the RRB received your application; or
- the first day of the month you are no longer entitled to annuity payments based on caring for a child of the employee; or
- the first day of the month we determine you again became disabled.