Disability | 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: 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: Receipt of 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 explain 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. 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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