Policy and Systems

Reduction For Earnings

Your earnings from any employment outside the railroad industry and the earnings of family members can affect payment of your Special Guaranty increase as follows:

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Non-Work Month

A non-work month for the Monthly Earnings Exempt Amount is a month in which a family member does not work. It can also be either of the following:

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Monthly Earnings Exempt Amount

Family members are entitled to a Monthly Earnings Exempt Amount, which is 1/12 of their Annual Earnings Exempt Amount. The Monthly Earnings Exempt Amount basically applies only in the first year in which the family member is included in the computation of the Special Guaranty increase and has a non-work month.

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Annual Earnings Exempt Amount

The term Annual Earnings Exempt Amount means the amount of money you or another family member included in the Special Guaranty computation can earn without affecting your Special Guaranty increase. Refer to Form G-77A, "How Work Affects Your Railroad Retirement Annuities," for the current Annual Earnings Exempt Amount.

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Definition Of Earnings

When you figure the amount of the annual earnings for each family member, count all earnings from both employment and self-employment for the entire year.

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Earnings Of Disability Annuitants

If you are under full retirement age and are receiving a disability annuity, refer to Booklet RB-1D, Employee Disability Benefits, for an explanation of the effect of earnings on a disability benefit.

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Requirements For Supplemental Annuity

Some retired railroad employees may be eligible to receive a supplemental annuity from the RRB. This is in addition to the regular age and service or disability annuity.

Requirements for a Supplemental Annuity

To be eligible for the supplemental annuity, you must meet all of the following requirements:

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Spouse Public Service Pension

Public service pensions (PSP) are retirement benefits spouses receive from any local, state or federal governmental agency, other than SSA and the RRB. These benefits may be paid as either monthly payments or a lump-sum payment.

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Current Connection

You must have a Current Connection with the railroad industry in order to receive a supplemental annuity or an occupational disability annuity. Future survivor benefits can be paid by the RRB only if you have a Current Connection. The RRB will determine whether or not you have a Current Connection when your annuity application is processed.

Requirements for Regular Current Connection

You have a regular Current Connection with the railroad industry if you meet either of the following conditions:

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Social Security Benefits Or Other Railroad Retirement Benefits

Social security benefits that are payable on your earnings record are deducted from any increase that would have been payable. Similarly, any social security benefits or other railroad retirement benefits that any family members included in the Special Guaranty computation receive on their own or someone else's earnings record, are deducted from their share of any increase payable. In most instances, the receipt of social security benefits or other railroad retirement benefits prevents any Special Guaranty increase from being paid.

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