I am spouse of Railroad employee who worked for 42 yrs on RR. He retired @ 60 with full retirement benefits. I have been collecting RR benefits since I turned 60. I am now applying for my social security (worked 32+yrs) as I am able to @ 66.2 mo. yrs old. My SS benefit is $803.00 more than what I am collecting from Tier I. from RRB. It was confusing with the SS rep (as never dealt with any one on RRB nor had her boss) when I applied because I am considered under the jurisdiction of RRB. They only need to certify the increase in benefits to RRB after I applied. So there won’t be any break in the benefits. As I am still entitled to the Tier II Annunity benefit & suppose to be no reduction in Tier II & increase in Tier I. As SS & RRB are the only 2 entities that can do this within the system. Do you have any additional information you could share. I am aware it could take a few months for the increase to show up on the RRB side but it would be back dated.

Hi. No, it sounds like you have a good understanding of the process involved. When you apply for Social Security benefits, the Social Security Administration (SSA) calculates your benefit rate and certifies the amount to be paid to the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). The RRB then adjusts the amount of your railroad retirement benefits accordingly, and forwards all of the updated information to the U.S. Treasury Dept. for payment.

Since your Social Security benefit rate is apparently higher than your Tier 1 RR rate, your Tier 1 benefits will stop effective with the month that your SS benefits start. Your SS benefits won't offset any of your Tier 2 RR benefits, though. If the certification process is not completed timely, any back pay to which you are entitled should be included with your first adjusted payment.

Best, Jerry