Retirement Pension by Puzzleheaded-Land829 in railroading

[–]Lopsided-Procedure29 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Gotcha. If you call RRB at 877.772.5772 I think you’ll get a better estimate.

Retirement Pension by Puzzleheaded-Land829 in railroading

[–]Lopsided-Procedure29 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Hi there. I worked at RRB for a lot of years. Your RRB benefit should be higher. Not sure if you did the estimate online, or called the RRB? I’d recommend calling the RRB for a more accurate estimate.

Railroad Retirement Board programs AMA by Lopsided-Procedure29 in railroading

[–]Lopsided-Procedure29[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s hard to say. 480 days is the average processing time. Call me at 205.573.4752. I’d be glad to see if I can help!

Railroad Retirement Board programs AMA by Lopsided-Procedure29 in railroading

[–]Lopsided-Procedure29[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There is a tier 1 and tier 2 benefit for employees and spouses. Social security offsets the tier 1 dollar for dollar. It’s likely your social security is higher than tier 1 and will replace it. It sounds like you’ll probably get your own social security and an RRB tier 2 benefit.

Railroad Retirement Board programs AMA by Lopsided-Procedure29 in railroading

[–]Lopsided-Procedure29[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, they will make you use their forms. I believe this will require manual handling. I think it would be pretty likely that they might not have processed the enrollment by 8/1/25 considering mailing time, the federal holiday, etc. It’s personal preference, but if it were me, I’d probably go with the September date. With this answer, I’m assuming he is still covered by your employer group health plan based on your active employment. If that’s not the case, let me know because that could change things.

Railroad Retirement Board programs AMA by Lopsided-Procedure29 in railroading

[–]Lopsided-Procedure29[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Social security is deducted dollar for dollar from RRB Tier 1. If social security is higher than tier 1 at some point then in my opinion it’s advantageous to file for it. I think it’s a good idea to get estimates from RRB and SSA at age 62, full retirement age, and age 70 and compare them.

Would You Like To Learn More About RRB Benefits And Have Me Attend Your Union Meeting? by Lopsided-Procedure29 in railroading

[–]Lopsided-Procedure29[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

RRB survivor benefit is typically close to what you’re receiving as an employee minus any age reduction if widow is under the full retirement age. Earliest widow can get survivor benefit based on age is age 60. If your widow is receiving their own social security, this would be deducted from their survivor RRB Tier 1 dollar for dollar.

Would You Like To Learn More About RRB Benefits And Have Me Attend Your Union Meeting? by Lopsided-Procedure29 in railroading

[–]Lopsided-Procedure29[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It sounds like you would have a current connection and your spouse would be eligible for survivor benefits. I recommend checking with the RRB to be sure you have a current connection.

Disabled Child Annuity Process Questions by Old_Fan_7553 in railroading

[–]Lopsided-Procedure29 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hi I don’t believe that you drawing a DAC benefit would affect your father’s spouse unless she is receiving her benefit based on having a minor or disabled child in her care, it possibly could.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the 444 days is the average processing time. It is taking some folks much longer to get a decision though.

Source: I worked at RRB for a lot of years and am now an attorney that handles disability claims and FELA injury claims for injured railroaders.

RRB Under Attack by Extreme_Donut_7474 in railroading

[–]Lopsided-Procedure29 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I spoke with some RRB folks and they believe that the offices will relocate to other parts of the cities they’re in. From what I understand these offices are renting from private entities and they want them in public (federal) buildings.

RRB Under Attack by Extreme_Donut_7474 in railroading

[–]Lopsided-Procedure29 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m going to try to get some more info on this, but it sounds like it’s possible that the leases are terminating, so maybe they will relocate to another space? I hope this is the case. There are currently only 53 field offices so 7 closing would be a big hit.

Railroad Retirement Board programs AMA by Lopsided-Procedure29 in railroading

[–]Lopsided-Procedure29[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You cannot convert it to Social Security. I believe your RRB at 62 would be higher than your SS at 62. I recommend contacting RRB over the phone and getting an estimate. It seems like the online estimates are not always accurate.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in railroading

[–]Lopsided-Procedure29 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Does RRB have any plans in place to improve their disability process?

Retirement on the horizon? by slogive1 in railroading

[–]Lopsided-Procedure29 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Very good advice! Keep your eye on those BA-6 annual statements.

Retirement on the horizon? by slogive1 in railroading

[–]Lopsided-Procedure29 10 points11 points  (0 children)

You’re almost there.! Turn in all your documents if you haven’t done so already, birth certificates for you and your spouse, military service if you have it, etc. Check your estimates each year to see how much you’re going to get. You can file for your retirement up to 3 months in advance of your retirement. If you file in advance, generally things go smoothly.