Well, I just finished reading your book, Get What's Yours and I need a little clarification on my particular situation. I was married for 21 years to a railroad worker. He started drawing his RRR benefit when he was 60 (he turned 62 last month). He also worked in the covered sector but I doubt he had enough years to qualify me for social security divorced spousal benefit. I remarried at age 59 (I know, I should have read your book earlier) but am now thankfully divorced again.

hi Larry, I am a divorced wife of a retired railroad employee, I will be 62 in a few months, can I collect railroad retirement from him and social security from me?

Hi,

My husband is eligible for railroad retirement and social security. I am eligible for social security under my own record and a spousal annuity under railroad retirement.
1. My husband is eligible to receive his full railroad retirement annuity at age 66. Can he receive that annuity at age 66 and then apply for social security at age 70 and receive a larger benefit in his Tier 1 portion? The Railroad Retirement Board told us yes.

I worked for Union Pacific Railroad for 11 1/2 years and just took a job back in the private sector, since i was vested at 5 years at UP I was told that when do retire that my retirement check will always come from the RRRB. Does all the SS I've paid in roll over into the RR retirement?

Hi,

Can my wife,who does not nor ever has worked for the railroad collect her social security along with my railroad pension ?

Hi,

Your wife could potentially receive both Social Security (SS) retirement benefits and Railroad (RR) spousal benefits, but her Tier 1 RR benefit would be offset by the amount of her SS benefit (https://www.rrb.gov/forms/opa/ib2/ib2_ann_components.asp).

Best, Jerry

Hi Larry,
I am trying to understand spousal benefit options, given this scenario:
Husband worked sufficient years under the RR system and also separately paid into Social Security (at least 40 quarters).
Husband is 65 and currently collecting RR Benefits, with his wife approaching age 59. The wife does not qualify for Social Security benefits on her own, but would be entitled to Social Security Spousal Benefits...normally.

I am vested in social security, railroad retirement and Cal PERS, having worked different jobs. I would like to start collecting SS next year (turning 62), and then when I turn 66 and 4 months start collecting my maximum benefit from RR retirement. Would SS stop when I start collecting RR retirement? Will collecting SS at 62 reduce my max RR retirement benefit? Do you have any special advice for me or recommendation of who I need to talk with concerning this? THANKS.

Hi,

I am 65, a railroader for 15 years, not retiring for a while(?). Wife is 62. Should I apply for SSA in order to get spousal benefits for her? Do I have to accept my SSA benefits in order to do this? Is there a down side? Does it alter my plan to retire in 6-7 years from railroad with RRT1, RRT2, and a company pension? I know I would give up the SSA at that point.

Hi,

My husband is a retired Railroad employee. I work as a nurse and pay into Social Security. Will I get my spousal benefit and SS when I retire?

Hi,

Potentially yes, but you can only receive the higher of a) your Social Security benefit rate, or b) your Railroad tier 1 benefit (https://www.rrb.gov/opa/qa/pub_1606.asp), plus any tier 2 Railroad benefits to which you are entitled.

Best, Jerry

Larry, I am 68 years old (10/28/48) Currently working for the railroad, I have been there for the last 7.5 years. I have been told that I can stop working, retire and collect Rail Road Retirement today. Then at 70 switch from RRR Tier one to SS and receive the higher SS benefit. Currently RR Retirement Tier one will pay me approximately $3,000 a month. SS at 70 will pay approximately. $ 3,275. A $ 275 dollar a month difference. If I stop working today and take RR Retirement will I still be eligible for the $ 275 difference that SS offers at 70?