Policy and Systems

Payments Received After The Employee's Death

Any annuity payments received after the employee's death are not payable and should be returned. If the employee was receiving his or her annuity by check, the check can be returned to the nearest field office of the RRB or to the address shown on the envelope. If the annuity payments were being sent directly to the employee's financial institution, that institution will return the funds after they are notified of the employee's death.

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Credit For Employee's Military Service

If the employee was never in the military service, go on to the next section.

If the employee served in active duty in the United States Armed Forces, the RRB may be able to use that military service to increase your annuity.

Creditable military service can be counted as if it were railroad service if the following conditions are met:

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How Earnings Affect An Annuity

Refer to Form G-77, How Earnings Affect Payment of Survivor Annuities, for the annual earnings exempt amounts.

The term "annual earnings exempt amount" means the amount of money you can earn in a year without losing part of your annuity.

You may lose part of your annuity if you earn more than the annual earnings exempt amount in a year. An annuitant who has attained full retirement age (FRA) is not affected by this provision. See Introduction for a definition of full retirement age.

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Effect Of A Monthly Annuity On Other Railroad Retirement Board Benefits

If the employee is survived by anyone eligible for an insurance annuity in the month in which the employee died, no lump-sum death benefit will be paid by the RRB.

If you are eligible to receive an annuity from the RRB based on your own railroad service, both that annuity and your survivor annuity will be paid to you, although an adjustment will be made in the amount of the survivor annuity.

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Beginning Date Of All Other Types Of Annuities

The annuity can begin on the latest of these three dates:

The month the employee died.
The month all necessary requirements for an annuity are met.
Six months before the month in which an application is filed.

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Beginning Date Of A Widow(er)'s Annuity

The beginning date of your annuity depends on several factors: the type of Widow(er)'s annuity for which you are applying, your age, and the date your application is filed at the RRB.

If you are applying for an annuity based on your age, your annuity can begin on the latest of the following dates.

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If You Are Currently Receiving A Spouse Annuity

If you are currently receiving a Spouse annuity from the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), you do not need to file an application for benefits; however, proof of death must still be submitted. After we have received all necessary information, your annuity will be converted to a Widow(er)'s annuity.

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Paperwork Reduction Act and Privacy Act Notices

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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Part V - General Information

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Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Hotline

The RRB’s Office of Inspector General established its Hotline as a public service. The Hotline provides individuals with a means to report or discuss any suspected misconduct relating to the RRB, its programs or employees.

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