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.
You should carefully review the information in this booklet
and booklet RB-9s,
Events That Affect A
Survivor Annuity. There is important information in these
booklets concerning the events that may affect your annuity and
how to report these events.
The RRB annuity that you are currently receiving will
continue until we have converted your annuity.
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.
1. If you have attained full retirement age in the month of
filing:
- The month the employee died.
- The month you attained full retirement age.
- The month preceding the month you attained full retirement
age if the employee died in that month and you are a remarried
widow(er) or surviving divorced spouse.
- Six months before the month in which you file the
application, but not before you attain full retirement age.
- The month your remarriage ends if you are a remarried
widow(er) or surviving divorced spouse who remarried before
age 60.
2. If you are under full retirement age in the month of
filing:
- The month the employee died.
- The month you became age 60.
- The month in which you file your application.
- The month your remarriage ends if you are a remarried
widow(er) or surviving divorced spouse who remarried before
age 60.
- Six months before the month in which you file the
application if you are a widow(er) between ages 60 and 62.
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.
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.
If you are eligible to receive a Spouse annuity on another
claim number or another survivor annuity (i.e., a Widow(er)'s
annuity or Parent's annuity) from the RRB, only the higher
annuity will be paid.
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.
There is also a "monthly earnings exempt amount" which is
1/12 of the "annual earnings exempt amount." The "monthly
earnings exempt amount" applies
only in the first year in which:
- you are entitled to an annuity; and
- you have a "nonwork" month.
A "nonwork" month is one in which:
- you do not work; or
- you work but earn less than the "monthly earnings exempt
amount"; or
- you work in self-employment but do not perform
"substantial services."
Example: A widow's
annuity began 8-1-2000. She earned $40,000 before her retirement
in July. Because she was entitled to an annuity and had nonwork
months in 2000 (August through December), 2000 is the widow's
grace year. The monthly earnings test allows payment of her
annuity August through December, even though her earnings of
$40,000 would have caused deductions under the annual earnings
test.
To determine whether you perform "substantial services" in
self-employment, the RRB considers:
- the amount of time you devote to the business;
- the type of business;
- the type of service performed; and
- how all this compares to the work you did before you
applied for your annuity.
When you figure your annual earnings, count all earnings from
employment and self-employment for the entire year.
Earnings from employment include all wages, salaries,
vacation pay, commissions, bonuses, fees, tips and retroactive
wage increases. The cash value of any goods or services (such as
meals or living quarters) furnished you for services performed
are also counted as earnings from employment. Count all amounts
before any payroll deductions for taxes, social security,
insurance premiums and so on.
Earnings from self-employment mean your net income (profit
after deduction of allowable business expenses) for the year.
Do not include as earnings any money which you receive for
any reason other than work, such as:
- interest from savings;
- income from investments-stocks, bonds, real estate;
- gifts;
- inheritances; or
- pensions or other retirement payments.
In the calendar year you attain full retirement age, for
every $3.00 you earn over the "annual earnings exempt amount,"
up to the month you attain full retirement age, $1.00 is
deducted from your annuity. If you have not attained full
retirement age, for every $2.00 you earn over the "annual
earnings exempt amount" in a calendar year, $1.00 is deducted
from your annuity.
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:
- The employee performed creditable railroad service in the
same or preceding year in which the military service began.
- The military service was involuntary.
Voluntary service is only creditable when such service was
entered during a war period. Special rules may apply if the
military service was from June 15, 1948, through December 15,
1950. Contact the local field office if this situation
applies.
If the military service cannot be counted as railroad
service, it still might be countable as wage credits. The RRB
will determine if the military service is creditable, and also
determine the most advantageous way to count it.
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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