{"id":20830,"date":"2013-06-26T10:41:42","date_gmt":"2013-06-26T14:41:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/utu.org\/?p=20830"},"modified":"2023-10-19T16:11:54","modified_gmt":"2023-10-19T20:11:54","slug":"applying-for-a-railroad-retirement-annuity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.smart-union.org\/applying-for-a-railroad-retirement-annuity\/","title":{"rendered":"Applying for a Railroad Retirement annuity","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"

\"RRB_seal_150px\"<\/a>Railroad employees who are planning to retire should be aware of what steps to take and what documents are required when applying for an annuity from the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). Being prepared can prevent needless delays and ensure that payments from the RRB begin as soon as possible after retirement.<\/p>\n

The following questions and answers describe the application process and other related items that retiring employees, as well as their spouses or survivors, should be aware of.<\/p>\n

1. How are railroad retirement annuity applications filed?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Applications are filed through the RRB\u2019s field offices. Applicants may file in person or by telephone and mail. Those filing in person may do so at any RRB office or at one of the office\u2019s customer outreach program service locations. Applicants filing by telephone receive the same information and instructions that are provided to those filing in person; forms requiring signatures and other documents are then handled by mail.<\/p>\n

The addresses of all the RRB\u2019s field offices are available on the agency\u2019s website at www.rrb.gov<\/a>, or by calling the RRB\u2019s toll-free number at (877) 772-5772. This number, which provides access to the agency\u2019s field office representatives, also provides automated menus 24 hours a day, seven days a week. RRB field offices are open to the public from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on federal holidays.<\/p>\n

2. Can an application be filed prior to a person\u2019s actual retirement date?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The RRB accepts annuity applications up to three months in advance of an annuity beginning date, which allows the RRB to complete the processing of most new claims by a person\u2019s retirement date. An employee can be in compensated service while filing a disability application provided that the compensated service is not active service and terminates within 90 days from the date of filing. When an employee files a disability application while still in compensated service, it will be necessary to provide a specific ending date of the compensation. Compensated service includes not only compensation with respect to active service performed by an employee for an employer, but also includes pay for time lost, wage continuation payments, certain employee protection payments and any other payment for which the employee will receive additional creditable service.<\/p>\n

To expedite the filing process, applicants should contact their local RRB field office to schedule time for a pre-retirement consultation and also to confirm their eligibility and be advised as to the required documents. The consultation can be conducted in person, or by telephone, with an RRB representative who will provide an annuity estimate, explain a retiree\u2019s benefit rights and responsibilities, and answer related questions.<\/p>\n

Railroad employees can also get estimates of their future annuities over the Internet by visiting the RRB\u2019s website. To do so, employees must first establish an RRB online account at www.rrb.gov<\/a>. For security purposes, first-time users must apply for a Password Request Code (PRC), which they will receive by regular mail in about 10 business days. To do this, they should click on \u201cRequest Password Request Code (PRC) be mailed to your home address\u201d in the \u201cBenefit Online Services Login\u201d section on the home page. Once they establish their online accounts, they will be able to get an estimate of their annuities, as well as conduct other business with the RRB, over the Internet. Railroad workers are encouraged to establish online accounts while still employed so the accounts are ready when needed. Employees who have already established online accounts do not need to do so again.<\/p>\n

3. What are some of the documents required with an application?<\/strong><\/p>\n