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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

The payment of a railroad retirement annuity can be affected by entitlement to social security benefits, as well as certain other government benefits. Such dual entitlement, if not reported to the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), can result in annuity overpayments which have to be repaid, sometimes with interest and penalties. The following questions and answers describe how the RRB adjusts the railroad retirement annuities of individuals who are also eligible for social security benefits and/or other benefit payments.

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

Railroad retirement annuitants are responsible for notifying the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) of certain events and activities that can affect the payment of their annuities. If not reported to an RRB field office, these events and activities can cause overpayments that have to be repaid, sometimes with interest and penalties. Annuitants should also know that withholding information to receive or continue receiving an annuity or knowingly making a false or fraudulent statement is a crime under federal law which may be punishable by fines, imprisonment, or both.

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Q&A: Working After Receiving An Annuity

Retirees, and those planning retirement, should be aware of the railroad retirement laws and rules governing benefit payments to annuitants who work after retirement, whether they have retired based on age and service or on disability.

The following questions and answers describe these railroad retirement work restrictions and earnings limitations on post-retirement employment, as well as how these rules can 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: Disability Annuities for Railroad Employees

The Railroad Retirement Act provides disability annuities for railroaders who become totally or occupationally disabled. Medicare coverage before age 65 is also available for totally disabled employees and those suffering from ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) or chronic kidney disease.

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Q&A: Private Railroad Pensions May Reduce RRB Supplemental Annuities

Railroad retirement annuitants are reminded that receipt of a private railroad pension may reduce the amount of a supplemental annuity payable by the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). The following questions and answers provide information on this subject and how 401(k) plans are affected by the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA).

1. What are the eligibility requirements for a supplemental annuity?

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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. Being prepared can prevent needless delays and ensure that railroad retirement annuity payments begin as soon as possible after retirement.

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