Current Connection (Continued)

• Self-employment and certain Federal employment do not break a current connection.
• Current connection can only be broken by working for nonrailroad employer after leaving railroad service and before railroad retirement annuity begins.
• Under certain conditions, can be deemed for supplemental and survivor benefits.

Notes:

• For current connection to be deemed, employee must have separated from railroad industry involuntarily since October 1, 1975, must have had at least 25 years of service at separation, and must not have declined an offer of employment in the same class or craft in the railroad industry regardless of the distance to the new position.
• A deemed current connection does not establish a current connection for occupational disability annuities.
• Self-employment in an unincorporated business will not break a current connection; self-employment can break a current connection if the business is incorporated.
  • Membership in a Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) is generally self-employment and will not break a current connection. Employees hired by the members who own an LLC may break their current connection. Employment with a Subchapter “S” corporation is not self-employment and will break a current connection.
• Work for the following U.S. Government agencies will not break a current connection: Department of Transportation; National Transportation Safety Board; National Mediation Board; Railroad Retirement Board; Surface Transportation Board; Transportation Security Administration.