I retired from the Railroad in 2004. My wife died in 2019 at age 75. Can I receive Spousal Benefits from the SSA or the RRB?

Hi. I'm sorry for your loss. My expertise is limited to Social Security (SS) benefits, not Railroad Retirement (RR) benefits. What I can tell you is that if your wife was insured for SS benefits and assuming that you're at least age 60 or at least age 50 and disabled, then you could likely qualify for widower's benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA).

I'm divorced and have been collecting through my retired ex Tier II RRB benefits since 2014 (I turned 62) and Tier I benefits since 2018 (age 66).

I will be 70 in February 2022--will I continue to receive Tier II benefits after I enroll in Social Security?

I am currently collecting RR benefits and reached FRA prior to my retirement . My wife retired at 62 and has also been collecting RR retirement but at a reduction.. Her plan is to switch to Social Security at 70 since her benefit will be much higher. My question is can I collect a spousal benefit at that time based on her SS benefit? BTW I purchased your book Get What's Yours prior to my retirement and though I receive RR your book answered many questions regarding retirement for myself and my wife. Thank you!

My husband started drawing RRB (Tier I & Tier II) at age 64, and is intending to file for his delayed Social Security benefit at age 70 in a few years. The increase will be quite substantial. I am drawing Social Security benefits on my own account, however, the RRB pays them to me (sent to them from SS) because as a spouse of a former railroad worker, I am entitled to receiving 1/2 of his Tier II benefits also. So, the RRB is in charge of disbursing my monthly funds.

I am taking my deceased husband’s Railroad retirement can I also collect my own Social Security retirement at the same time

Hi. Potentially, but if you claim your Social Security benefits then the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) will offset your Tier 1 Railroad benefit dollar for dollar by the amount of your Social Security benefit. So, by applying for Social Security you'll only get more total benefits if your Social Security benefit amount is more than your Tier 1 Railroad amount.

Best, Jerry

Greetings Larry and thank you for your reply regarding railroad retirement and DRC's.

I saw where you said that I would not collect DRC's until FRA (which is 66 & 8 months for me). Is that because I would be collecting Railroad Retirement before my FRA (if I collect at 65), or is that the point at which all people start collecting DRC's?

My original question:

I am eligible for railroad retirement benefits and social security benefits. I will reach FRA in May 2022. Two customer service officials at the Railroad Retirement Board suggested I file at the SSA for social security benefits when I reach my FRA, make it clear to the SSA that I am not filing for railroad retirement benefits, collect social security benefits until I reach age 70, then stop them and start my railroad retirement benefits. Both officials were certain I would earn Delayed Retirement Credits on my railroad retirement while I was collecting social security benefits.

I am 63 years old and looking at my retirement options.

I have confirmed that I can collect Divorced Ex-Spouse Survivor benefits from my deceased ex-husband's Railroad Retirement. My plan is to collect Railroad Retirement from age 65-70 (use as a "bridge"), then collect my own Social Security at age 70.

Can you confirm that I will continue to accrue delayed retirement credits on my social security so that I collect the maximum amount at age 70? I want to ensure I am not age-penalized by collecting Railroad Retirement at age 65.

I want to collect social security my husband gets RR Annuity SS says I have to go through RR it's much less do I have to take it from the RR ?

I am currently receiving railroad retirement. Can my wife file for RR spousal benefits at age 62 and then switch to her own social security benefits at her full retirement age 67 ?