Policy and Systems

Social Security Benefits

The Tier 1 Benefit component amount of your employee, spouse or divorced spouse annuity already includes credit for the railroad worker's earnings covered by social security taxes. When you file for social security benefits (SS benefits), the RRB must reduce your Tier 1 component by the amount of SS benefits you receive.

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What to Report and Why

Your annuity entitlement and the amount payable to you each month is determined according to law and by the circumstances that exist on the date your annuity begins. Any later changes in those circumstances are very important. To guarantee correct payment of the benefits you are due, you must notify the RRB about all of the events that are described in this publication. They are:

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How to Report

You may call, visit, or write to any RRB office. In most cases, your reporting can be completely handled by telephone. If you plan to personally visit one of the RRB offices, please call for an appointment. You will not be refused service if you do not make an appointment, but the RRB staff may be better able to assist you when an appointment is made. The hours RRB offices are open to the public can be found on our website at www.rrb.gov/Field-Office-Locator or by calling 877-772-5772.

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Introduction

This publication describes the different events that can affect your annuity under the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA).

Whether you are receiving your own annuity, or you receive payments on behalf of another person, it is your responsibility to be aware of these events and to notify the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) immediately when any apply to you.

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Employee and Spouse Annuities Events that Must Be Reported

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Paperwork Reduction & Privacy Act Notice

This notice is given under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and the Privacy Act of 1974. The Privacy Act requires that the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) tell you the following whenever we ask you for information.

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Form G-131, Authorization of Payment and Release of all Claims to a Death Benefit or Accrued Annuity Payment

If you are eligible to receive a lump-sum death benefit or an annuity unpaid at death and your share does not exceed $500, you may complete Form G-131 instead of filing an application. Before filing this form, you will be notified of the approximate amount of your benefit.

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Form G-126, Election To Receive A Residual a Payment Instead Of Future Monthly Insurance Benefits Based On Service Under The Railroad Retirement Act

If you are the employee's widow(er)or parent and you are not currently qualified to receive a monthly survivor annuity but will become qualified in the future and you are applying for the residual lump-sum, you must complete Form G-126 in addition to the Form AA-21. By completing the Form G-126 you are telling the RRB that you will give up all rights to future payment (that is, you will never receive a monthly survivor annuity based on the employee's railroad work) in order to receive the residual lump-sum now.

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Form G-273a, Funeral Director's Statement Of Burial Charges

If you are applying for the lump-sum death payment as the representative from a funeral home, or if there are unpaid funeral home expenses and you are applying to authorize the RRB to pay the funeral home, you must submit a Form G-273a. The Form G-273a must be completed and signed by the funeral home director. If more than one funeral home was involved in the employee's burial, and each funeral home is keeping a separate bill, a Form G-273a must be secured from each funeral home.

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Other Forms You May Need

Additional Forms You May Need

There are three forms which are sometimes needed in addition to the application Form AA-21. If, after reading the following sections, you think you need one of these forms along with the application and a copy of this booklet, please contact the nearest field office of the RRB.

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