Policy and Systems

When Your Period of Disability Can Begin

The period of disability begins on the first day both the earnings and disability requirements are met. A period of disability cannot be awarded if all or part of the waiting period falls in or after the month "full retirement age" is attained.

The beginning date of a period of disability does not determine when basic railroad retirement disability annuity payments may begin. It does however, determine when and if any increased payments may begin, and it also may affect the beginning date of early Medicare coverage.

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Eligibility Requirements for a Period of Disability ("Disability Freeze")

To receive a period of disability, you must meet three requirements:

A disability requirement, and;
an earnings requirement, and;
a waiting period requirement for early Medicare.

A. Disability Requirement Defined

To meet this requirement, you must either:

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How A Period Of Disability ("Disability Freeze") Can Help You

A period of disability protects your earnings record so that the time you are severely disabled will not count against you or your surviving dependents when the amount of monthly benefits is computed.

Although the period of disability is not a monthly cash benefit in itself, it provides that all or part of the entire Tier I portion of your annuity will be taxed in the same manner as a social security benefit. It also may provide the following:

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Applying for Early Medicare Coverage

Read more about Applying for Early Medicare Coverage

About Your Period of Disability ("Disability Freeze")

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Part I - How Age Affects a Disability Annuity

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A Conviction Due to a Criminal Offense Can Affect Your Annuity

The amount of your annuity may be affected if you are:

convicted due to a criminal offense which was committed after October 19, 1980, or
imprisoned or confined due to a criminal offense.

See definition of "Confinement (or imprisonment)"

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How Work Can Affect Your Disability Annuity Payments

Work and earnings can affect the payment of your annuity and must be reported promptly to the RRB in order to avoid potential overpayments and penalties. The following describes the effect of work on your benefit payments.

A. Work in the Railroad Industry

Your annuity cannot be paid for any month that you work in the railroad industry.

B. Work for Your Last Nonrailroad Employer