Policy and Systems

General Information

Evidence submitted in support of an applicant's claim should be:

an original document; or
a copy of a public record certified by the custodian of the record; or
a facsimile, if it is sent to the RRB by the official custodian of the record.

Documents which have been altered in any way do not qualify as original or certified copies. Therefore, they cannot be used as evidence.

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Part IV - Furnishing Proof To Support Your Application

Every application for a railroad retirement annuity must be accompanied by documentary evidence that supports the claim for benefits. The sections in this part discuss the types of acceptable evidence. If you are unable to secure the necessary information, please contact the nearest field office of the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). The people there will be glad to assist you.

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Age Requirements For A Child's Or Student's Annuity

In order to be considered for a Child's annuity you must be:

under age 18; or
age 18 or older if you become disabled before age 22 and the disability is permanent; or
age 18-19 if you are attending elementary or secondary school full-time.

You must submit proof of your age. Refer to section, "Proof of Age" in Part IV for information on acceptable proofs.

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After You Apply for Your Annuity

This section explains what the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) does after you file your annuity application. Included is important information about how soon you can expect a decision on your application.

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Federal Income Tax Withholding

Withholding for Federal Income Tax may occur, either based on your election filed on Form IRS W-4P, Withholding Certificate for Periodic Pension or Annuity Payments, or, if you do not file a Form IRS W-4P, based on IRS default withholding.

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Medicare Coverage and You

General Information About Medicare

Medicare is a four-part Federal health insurance program, administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), for people who are age 65 or older, who are totally and permanently disabled, or who have permanent kidney failure. The four parts are Part A (Hospital Insurance), Part B (Medical Insurance), Part C (Medicare Advantage plans) and PartD (Medicare prescription drug coverage).

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Age Requirements For A Widow(er)'s Annuity

A widow(er), remarried widow(er), or surviving divorced spouse must be at least 60 years old, or age 50-59 and disabled, in order to be eligible for a Widow(er)'s annuity. If you become entitled to a Widow(er)'s annuity before attaining full retirement age, your annuity will be reduced.

You must submit proof of your age. Refer to section "Proof of Age" in Part IV for information on acceptable proofs.

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Marriage Requirements For A Divorced Mother/Father

In order to be considered a divorced mother/father entitled to a Mother's/Father's annuity, you must:

be finally divorced from the employee; and
be unmarried.

NOTE: If you are married to someone who is entitled to a retirement, survivor or disability annuity under the Railroad Retirement Act or Social Security Act, you may be able to receive a benefit, even though that marriage has not ended.

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Reductions for Other Federal Programs

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Worker's Compensation and Public Disability Benefits

The Worker's Compensation and Public Disability Benefit (WC/PDB) provision only applies to disability annuitants. If you are not filing for a disability annuity, you can skip this section.

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