Railroad Retirement & Social Security

Mr. Jerry,

My husband works for the railroad. I am two (2) years his senior. If I file for SS at 62 will my amount be changed to the railroad Tier I and Tier II after he retires? I will continue to work until he retires but want to know if my monthly amount will be recalculated to a higher amount? If so will I have to reapply for benefits?

Hi,

My friend receives a pension from her late husband railroad pension. She has been told that she cannot receive her own SS benefits and the RR pension. Is that true?
It seems to me that her own SS benefits should not count against her late husband's RR benefits.

Hi,

After reading Get What's Yours, I decided to wait until FRA (August of this year) to file for my divorced spousal benefit-ex was a railroad employee to whom I was married for 30 years. I called in and was convinced that it would make no difference if I just started drawing right away; difference is $23. I work part time and plan to continue. I asked would my own SS continue to grow and was told that it would. Do you think this is wise, or should I suspend before everything goes through?

Hi,

I worked the first part of my life paying into social security and later worked over ten years for a railroad. I am 3 months from age 66 my retirement age. Railroad Retirement advises that my social security benefits would be added to my railroad Retirement check. More than likely my social security will not be more than my railroad benefits. So if I apply now at age 66, is that it, or would I later apply for social security as well at age 70? Also does my military service of four years active duty apply or is that only my for 30 year retirees?

Hi,

I was never a railroad employee but I receive a railroad pension through my husband's employment. Can I also collect on my paid in social security?

Hi,

You couldn't receive both benefits in full. If you file for Social Security benefits your tier 1 Railroad (RR) benefits would be offset dollar for dollar by the amount of your Social Security. However, your Social Security benefits would not reduce the amount of any tier 2 RR benefits for which you qualify.

My husband has worked for the Railroad since 2004. He is now 66 and plans to work a couple more years. He was told that he can actually collect Social Security now and once he retires the amount per month will be deducted dollar for dollar from his Tier 1. We are not sure if this is a smart move and are wondering if there is a tax liability difference between SS and Railroad Tier 1? Is there any reason that you can advise us on that would prohibit him from taking this now? Thanks!

Hi,

My sisters husband worked for the railroad. He passed a couple years ago but my sister was too young to get his benefits. She is now 100% disabled. She has worked and paid into SS for over 30 years. Will she be able to collect her SS and his benefits?
Thank you

Hi,

At the age of 66, I filed and suspended with SS in 2016 so that my wife could receive spousal benefits when she turned 66 in November of 2017. I worked for the railroad for 17 years but left in 1995. Since then I have worked outside of the railroad industry and currently I am employed full time. In August of this year I plan on retiring and recently contacted SS to start receiving SS benefits. Since I am 68 I will be receiving an additional amount due to the delayed retirement credits. My question is this: If I request back payment for SS to the date I filed and suspended (i.e.

I will turn 65 in June 2018. I am presently receiving retirement from my job and also from my husband's railroad retirement. When I file for Medicare can I also file to get my social security benefits also? I have filled out paperwork for Medicare Part A and B.

Hi,