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sections in this part of the booklet explain what
the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) does after we
receive your annuity application. Included is important
information about how soon you can expect a decision
on your application and the different ways in which
the RRB can send you your annuity payments.
Notice
Of Railroad Retirement Board Decision About Your Application
Using the informatoin on your application and the
proofs, the RRB will decide if an annuity can be paid.
If an annuity cannot be paid, the RRB will send you
a letter which explains:
- why an annuity cannot be paid; and
- what you can do if you disagree with the reason
an annuity cannot be paid.
If an annuity can be paid, you will receive:
- a letter which shows the amount of the monthly
payment and other information about your entitlement
to an annuity; and
- a payment for the amount which is due from the
beginning date of your annuity through the month
before the payment is received.
Sometimes the RRB will not be able to make a decision
on your application without additional information.
If so, you will be contacted by an RRB representative.
You will be asked to send us the additional forms,
proofs, or statements that are needed.
You will receive your first payment, or a decision,
within 65 days of the date you file your application,
or become entitled to benefits, if later. If you are
already receiving a spouse annuity, you will receive
your first payment, or a decision, within 35 days
of the date we receive notice of the employee's death.
If you do not hear from us within this time frame,
please contact us so we can find out what is causing
the delay.
How
Payments Are Made
In most cases, RRB annuity payments are deposited
directly into the applicant's checking or savings
account at their financial institution. Therefore,
when filing for an annuity, bring the following: your
checkbook or a voided check; your bank statement;
or the name, location, and telephone number of your
financial institution. This will allow the field office
representative to properly route your payment.
The first payment which you receive from the RRB
will include all back payments which are due. This
payment may be received at any time during the month.
Payments issued after the back payment will be deposited
into your account on the first day of the month. If
the first day of the month falls on a Sunday or a
holiday, the payment will be made on the next business
day. The payment which is deposited at the beginning
of the month actually represents the annuity which
was due for the previous month.
In some situations, you can request that payments
be made by check mailed to your home address.
Changing
Account or Financial Organization
To arrange to have your payment sent to a different
account or a different financial institution, simply
notify the nearest
office of the RRB. To avoid delays in the receipt
of your payment, do not close the old account until
your annuity payments have begun to be deposited into
the new account.
Change
of Address
Always inform the RRB when there is a change in
your mailing address. It is important to report all
changes to the RRB, even if your payments are sent
directly to a financial institution. This mailing
address is used to send you any material other than
your payments, such as award notices, notices of cost-of-living
increases, Medicare information, taxation information,
new annual exempt amounts, etc.
To report a change of address, notify the nearest
office of the RRB. You may telephone or write
the office. If you write, include the following information:
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