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.

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:

• a letter which shows the amount of the monthly payment and other information about your entitlement to an annuity; and
• a payment for the amount which is due from the beginning date of your annuity through the month before the payment is received.

Sometimes the RRB will not be able to make a decision on your application without additional information. If so, you will be contacted by an RRB representative. You will be asked to send us the additional forms, proofs, or statements that are needed.

You will receive your first payment, or a decision, within 65 days of the date you file your application, or become entitled to benefits, if later. If you are already receiving a spouse annuity, you will receive your first payment, or a decision, within 35 days of the date we receive notice of the employee's death. If you do not hear from us within this time frame, please contact us so we can find out what is causing the delay.

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.

Payments issued after the back payment will be deposited into your account on the first day of the month. If the first day of the month falls on a Sunday or a holiday, the payment will be made on the next business day. The payment which is deposited at the beginning of the month actually represents the annuity which was due for the previous month.

In some situations, you can request that payments be made by check mailed to your home address.

Changing Account or Financial Organization

To arrange to have your payment sent to a different account or a different financial institution, simply notify the nearest office of the RRB. To avoid delays in the receipt of your payment, do not close the old account until your annuity payments have begun to be deposited into the new account.

Change of Address

Always inform the RRB when there is a change in your mailing address. It is important to report all changes to the RRB, even if your payments are sent directly to a financial institution. This mailing address is used to send you any material other than your payments, such as award notices, notices of cost-of-living increases, Medicare information, taxation information, new annual exempt amounts, etc.

To report a change of address, notify the nearest office of the RRB. You may telephone or write the office. If you write, include the following information:

• Your railroad retirement claim number.
• Your name.
• Your new address.
• Your old address.
• The date you will start receiving mail at the new address.
  
  If you do not report your change of address, the RRB cannot be responsible for any important information which you do not receive.