Policy and Systems

When Your Disability Annuity Could End

At Age 60

At age 60, your entitlement to a disability annuity ends and your entitlement to an aged widow(er)'s annuity begins. This means that your entitlement to annuity payments is no longer affected by the restrictions that apply to disability annuitants as discussed in this booklet. However, your annuity is still subject to the restrictions for aged widow(er) annuitants discussed in booklet RB-17, Survivor Annuities. If you do not have a copy of that booklet, you should request one.

Before Age 60

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Conviction for a Criminal Offense Can Affect Your Annuity

The amount of your annuity may be affected if you are imprisoned or confined due to a conviction for a criminal offense.

See Part V, Item 1, for the definition of confinement.

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How Work Can Affect Your Disability Annuity Payments

Before Age 60

If you perform work after your disability annuity begins and while you are still under age 60, full monthly payments will continue until it is determined that your disability has ended and you are no longer entitled to a disability annuity. However, your annuity is not payable for any month in which you work for a railroad employer, and you must return your annuity payment for that month to the RRB.

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When Your Disability Annuity Can Begin

You may select the date you wish your disability annuity payments to begin.

The date you select can be either:

the earliest date permitted by law, or
another date that may be more advantageous to you.

General Rule

Generally, the earliest annuity beginning date permitted by law is the later of:

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Eligibility Requirements for a Disability Annuity

This section describes the special requirements you must meet in order to receive a disability annuity.

In addition to meeting the general annuity requirements described in publication RB-17, "Survivor Annuities", you must be:

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Part II - About Your Disability Annuity

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Information and Assistance

Any time you need information and assistance, you may contact the nearest office of the RRB. In addition to the personal attention you will receive, special booklets and printed material are available. To locate the nearest field office call at 1-877-772-5772.

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Periodic Review of Disability

Your case may be periodically reviewed to determine if your condition is still severe enough to prevent you from working. This is necessary to see if your disability annuity or early Medicare coverage should continue.

When your case is reviewed, we may ask you for information and evidence or to report for a medical examination.

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After You Return Your Application

After the RRB receives your completed application and all the needed evidence, we will decide if you are entitled to disability benefits.

If we decide you cannot receive disability benefits, the RRB will send you a notice explaining why we made that decision and what you can do if you disagree with our decision.

If you can receive disability benefits, you will receive a notice that shows the amount of your monthly payments and other information about your benefits.

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Qualification Requirements

Only qualified employees can receive benefits under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act. A new benefit year begins every July 1. To qualify for benefits in a benefit year, you must have creditable railroad earnings in the preceding calendar year (base year), counting no more than a certain amount in any month. In addition, a new employee must have railroad service in at least 5 months of his or her first year of work in order to be eligible for benefits in the following benefit year.

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