Policy and Systems

Burden Statement

We estimate the application process takes an average of 30 to 58 minutes per response to complete, including the time for reviewing the instructions, getting the needed data, and reviewing the completed application. Federal agencies may not conduct or sponsor, and respondents are not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB number. If you wish, send any comments regarding the accuracy of our estimates or any other aspect of this process, including suggestions for reducing completion time, to:

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Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act Notice

The Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988 requires the RRB to advise you that information you have provided may be used, without your consent, in automated matching programs. These matching programs are a computer comparison of RRB records with records kept by other Federal, State, or local government agencies. Information from these matching programs can be used to establish or verify a person's eligibility for Federally funded or administered benefit programs and for repayment of payments or delinquent debts under these programs.

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Paperwork Reduction and Privacy Act Notice

This notice is given under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and the Privacy Act of 1974. The Privacy Act requires that the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) tell you the following whenever we ask you for information:

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Important Notices

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Records You Should Keep

We recommend that you keep this booklet, even after you file your annuity application. It contains important information concerning your entitlement to railroad retirement benefits. You should also keep your annuity award notice or denial notice.

Also keep:

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When Your Annuity Ends

Spouse Annuity

A spouse annuity ends the month before the month in which:

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When Your Annuity Is Not Payable

Spouse Annuity

A spouse annuity is not payable for any month in which:

the employee's annuity is not payable;
you work for a railroad employer;
neither you nor the employee began railroad service before 1975 and you become entitled to your own RRA employee annuity that exceeds the amount of the spouse annuity; or,
you become entitled to an RRA survivor annuity on a different RRB earnings record that exceeds the spouse annuity rate.

Divorced Spouse Annuity

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Change of Address

Notify the nearest RRB office immediately if you change your address, even when your monthly annuity payments are going directly to your savings or checking account. All correspondence from the RRB is sent to your home mailing address on record. This mailing address is used to send any material other than your payments to you (such as notices of cost-of-living increases, Medicare information, new Annual Earnings Exempt Amounts, and tax statements).

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Receiving Your Payment

All applicants filing for RRB benefits must choose to receive their annuity payments by Direct Deposit to their financial institution or by the Direct Express® Debit MasterCard®.

Even though your payments are paid electronically be sure to keep your home address on our records current. See Chapter 28 for additional information.

A. Direct Deposit

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How Payments are Made

The first payment you receive from the RRB will be separate from your annuity award letter. Annuities are payable at the beginning of the month following the month for which the annuity accrued. The payment that you receive at the beginning of the month actually represents the annuity that accrued for the previous month.

Advance Filing Cases

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