The earliest divorced spouse annuity beginning date permitted by law is the latest of the following:
- the first day of the month in which your decree of absolute divorce becomes final;
- the day after the day you last worked in the railroad industry;
- the first day of the first full month in which you are age 62 if you file for a Reduced Age Annuity;
- the first day of month in which you are Full Retirement Age (FRA) if you file for a Full Age Annuity;
- the first day of the month in which you file your annuity application if your RRA annuity is reduced for early retirement; or,
- the first day of the sixth month prior to the month in which you file your annuity application if your RRA annuity is not reduced for early retirement.
However, your divorced spouse annuity will not begin before the railroad employee's annuity begins or before the railroad employee meets the age requirement.
If Items 1-4 above apply, you can file your application up to three months before the earliest annuity beginning date permitted by law.