Survivor | RRB.Gov

The following is excerpted from the RB-5 pamphlet

Events Which Must Be Reported to the RRB

A representative payee is responsible for knowing what events will affect the beneficiary's continuing right to monthly benefits. The payee is also responsible for promptly reporting the occurrence of such events to the RRB.

The events are as follows:

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Q&A: Railroad Retirement Age Reductions

While railroad employees with less than 30 years of railroad service may retire at age 62, their railroad retirement annuities are subject to early retirement (“age”) reductions if they retire before attaining their full retirement age. There is no age reduction for those who retire with 30 years of railroad service.

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Q&A: Dual Benefit Payments

January 8, 2025

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Q&A: Reporting Events and Activities That Can Affect Payment of Railroad Retirement Annuities

January 8, 2025

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Q&A: Working After Receiving a Railroad Retirement Annuity

Railroad retirement annuitants, and individuals planning retirement, should be aware of the railroad retirement laws and rules governing annuity payments to those who work after retirement. These laws and rules apply to age and service and disability annuity payments.

The following questions and answers describe railroad retirement work restrictions and earnings limitations on post-retirement employment and explain how they affect retirees engaging in self-employment.

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Q&A: Buyouts and Railroad Retirement Benefits

Railroad employees frequently ask the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) how accepting a buyout from a railroad employer affects their future eligibility for benefits under the Railroad Retirement and Railroad Unemployment Insurance Acts. The following questions and answers provide information on this subject.

1. Would leaving railroad work and accepting a buyout mean that an employee forfeits any future entitlement to an annuity under the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA)?

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Q&A: The Importance of a Current Connection for Railroad Retirement Benefits

A current connection with the railroad industry is one of the eligibility requirements under the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA) for both the occupational disability and supplemental annuities payable by the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). (A railroad employee does not need a current connection to be eligible for any other type of railroad retirement benefit or for purposes of Medicare coverage.) A current connection is also a factor in determining whether the RRB or the Social Security Administration will pay monthly survivor benefits, which are generally larger when paid by the RRB.

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Q&A: Applying for a Railroad Retirement Annuity

Railroad employees considering retirement should familiarize themselves with the Railroad Retirement Board’s (RRB) annuity application process. Understanding how the process works can prevent delays and ensure that railroad retirement annuity payments begin as soon as possible after retirement.

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Q&A: Deemed Service Month Credits

Railroad retirement annuities are based on months of service and earnings. Earnings are creditable up to certain annual maximums on the amount of compensation subject to railroad retirement taxes.

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