Policy and Systems

How Payments Are Made

In most cases, RRB annuity payments are deposited directly into the applicant's checking or savings account at their financial institution. Therefore, when filing for an annuity, bring the following: your checkbook or a voided check; your bank statement; or the name, location, and telephone number of your financial institution. This will allow the field office representative to properly route your payment.

The first payment which you receive from the RRB will include all back payments which are due. This payment may be received at any time during the month.

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Notice Of Railroad Retirement Board Decision About Your Application

Using the information on your application and the proofs, the RRB will decide if an annuity can be paid.

If an annuity cannot be paid, the RRB will send you a letter which explains:

why an annuity cannot be paid; and
what you can do if you disagree with the reason an annuity cannot be paid.

If an annuity can be paid, you will receive:

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Part VI - After You Apply For Your Annuity

The sections in this part of the booklet explain what the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) does after we receive your annuity application. Included is important information about how soon you can expect a decision on your application and the different ways in which the RRB can send you your annuity payments.

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Payments Received After The Employee's Death

Any annuity payments received after the employee's death are not payable and should be returned. If the employee was receiving his or her annuity by check, the check can be returned to the nearest field office of the RRB or to the address shown on the envelope. If the annuity payments were being sent directly to the employee's financial institution, that institution will return the funds after they are notified of the employee's death.

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Credit For Employee's Military Service

If the employee was never in the military service, go on to the next section.

If the employee served in active duty in the United States Armed Forces, the RRB may be able to use that military service to increase your annuity.

Creditable military service can be counted as if it were railroad service if the following conditions are met:

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How Earnings Affect An Annuity

Refer to Form G-77, How Earnings Affect Payment of Survivor Annuities, for the annual earnings exempt amounts.

The term "annual earnings exempt amount" means the amount of money you can earn in a year without losing part of your annuity.

You may lose part of your annuity if you earn more than the annual earnings exempt amount in a year. An annuitant who has attained full retirement age (FRA) is not affected by this provision. See Introduction for a definition of full retirement age.

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Effect Of A Monthly Annuity On Other Railroad Retirement Board Benefits

If the employee is survived by anyone eligible for an insurance annuity in the month in which the employee died, no lump-sum death benefit will be paid by the RRB.

If you are eligible to receive an annuity from the RRB based on your own railroad service, both that annuity and your survivor annuity will be paid to you, although an adjustment will be made in the amount of the survivor annuity.

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Beginning Date Of All Other Types Of Annuities

The annuity can begin on the latest of these three dates:

The month the employee died.
The month all necessary requirements for an annuity are met.
Six months before the month in which an application is filed.

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Beginning Date Of A Widow(er)'s Annuity

The beginning date of your annuity depends on several factors: the type of Widow(er)'s annuity for which you are applying, your age, and the date your application is filed at the RRB.

If you are applying for an annuity based on your age, your annuity can begin on the latest of the following dates.

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If You Are Currently Receiving A Spouse Annuity

If you are currently receiving a Spouse annuity from the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), you do not need to file an application for benefits; however, proof of death must still be submitted. After we have received all necessary information, your annuity will be converted to a Widow(er)'s annuity.

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