Marriage Requirements For A Widow(er) Or Mother/Father

In order to be considered a widow(er) or mother/father, you must:

• be the legal widow(er) of the employee;
  
• have been married to the employee for at least 9 full months before the employee's death. You must not have been divorced from the employee at the time of death.
  
  If you were not married to the employee for at least 9 full months you should contact the nearest Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) office. There are a few specific exceptions to the 9-month marriage requirement which the personnel in that office will explain to you; and
  
• have not remarried since the employee's death.

You must provide proof of your marriage to the employee. Refer to section "Proof Of Marriage" in Part IV for further information.

Marriage Requirements For A Remarried Widow(er) Or Remarried Mother/Father

In order to be considered a remarried widow(er) or remarried mother/father, you must:

• be the legal widow(er) of the employee;
  
• have been married to the employee for at least 9 full months before the employee's death. You must not have been divorced from the employee at the time of death.
  
  If you were not married to the employee for at least 9 full months you should contact the nearest RRB office. There are a few specific exceptions to the 9-month marriage requirement which the personnel in that office will explain to you; and
  
• not be currently married, unless you remarried after age 60 (age 50 if you were entitled to a Disabled Widow(er)'s annuity before the remarriage occurred).

In addition to proof of your marriage to the employee, if you have remarried since the employee's death, and your remarriage(s) occurred before you attained age 60 (age 50 if you were previously entitled to a Disabled Widow(er)'s annuity before the remarriage(s) occurred), you must furnish proof that the later marriage(s) has terminated.

Marriage Requirements For A Surviving Divorced Spouse

In order to be considered a surviving divorced spouse entitled to a Widow(er)'s annuity, you must:

• be finally divorced from the employee;
• have been married to the employee for a period of 120 months immediately before the date the final divorce became effective; and
• not be currently married, unless you remarried after age 60 (age 50 if you were previously entitled to a Disabled Surviving Divorced Spouse annuity before the marriage occurred).

If you have remarried since your divorce from the employee, and your remarriage(s) occurred before you attained age 60 (age 50 if you were previously entitled to a Disabled Surviving Divorced Spouse's annuity before the marriage(s) occurred), you must furnish proof that the later marriage(s) has terminated. Proof of divorce from the employee must also be submitted.

Marriage Requirements For A Divorced Mother/Father

In order to be considered a divorced mother/father entitled to a Mother's/Father's annuity, you must:

• be finally divorced from the employee; and
• be unmarried.

NOTE: If you are married to someone who is entitled to a retirement, survivor or disability annuity under the Railroad Retirement Act or Social Security Act, you may be able to receive a benefit, even though that marriage has not ended.

If you have remarried since your divorce from the employee, you must furnish proof that the later marriage(s) has terminated. Proof of divorce from the employee must also be submitted.

Age Requirements For A Widow(er)'s Annuity

A widow(er), remarried widow(er), or surviving divorced spouse must be at least 60 years old, or age 50-59 and disabled, in order to be eligible for a Widow(er)'s annuity. If you become entitled to a Widow(er)'s annuity before attaining full retirement age, your annuity will be reduced.

You must submit proof of your age. Refer to section "Proof of Age" in Part IV for information on acceptable proofs.

Age Requirements For A Child's Or Student's Annuity

In order to be considered for a Child's annuity you must be:

• under age 18; or
• age 18 or older if you become disabled before age 22 and the disability is permanent; or
• age 18-19 if you are attending elementary or secondary school full-time.

You must submit proof of your age. Refer to section, "Proof of Age" in Part IV for information on acceptable proofs.