If I take my RR benefit at 62, can reapply for SS benefits at 67 ? My wife is at full age for SS her benefit would be higher than a spousal under RR If I have RR is she required to take her benefit under RR?
thank you

Hi,

I am 70 years old and was retired 9-1-1999 on a disability retirement after 29 years service on the railroad. My spouse would like to retire at age 64 which would be in April 2019 and apply for her railroad spouse pension which is less than what her Social Security would be and than wait til age 70 to apply for the S.S.benefits, would she receive full S.S. benefits? And what if any amount would her R.R.B. benefits be reduced?

Hi,

I am vested with Railroad Retirement with 13 years of service, but quit years ago. I have paid into social security for the remainder of my career. I am filing for early retirement and am very confused as to whether to apply for my RR benefits or go with SS. I will be 62 in Dec.

Hi,

A Railroad retirement board representative advised me that I could receive a reduced age benefit ( if I desire to take it now, at age 63) from my ex-husband's Tier I benefit and continue to receive my divorced spouse annuity granted to me in our divorce, as this is a lifetime annuity for me. He also told me I could take a reduced age benefit now from the USRRRB and discontinue receiving the benefit at say 66 or even 70, to then apply and receive my own social security benefits from there on. My questions are: 1) Is this information correct?

I have been told I could not get both SS and my husband;s spouse RR pension. Now I hear that has been reversed and I can now have both? Can you help with this?

Hi,

If you file for both Social Security (SS) benefits and for Railroad Retirement (RR) benefits, what you would receive is a) the higher of your SS benefit or your tier 1 RR benefit rate, plus b) any tier 2 RR benefits for which you qualify. Thus, there's no way that you could get both benefits in full at the same time.

Larry - I worked for the Railroad , NJ Transit for 7.5 years. I retired from there in April of 2017 at age 68.5. Currently I am collecting tier 1 benefits at $3,076 and my tier 2 benefits are at $299 per month. I also worked paying into Social Security for 43 years. I am turning 70 in October 2018, My Social Security benefits at age 70 are at $3,285 per month. I applied to Social Security to receive the $3,285 to replace my Tier 1 benefits, the difference being $209 a month (Tier 1 $3076 minus $3285 SS = $209).

Is it possible for a person on disability to receive and or have the railroad fund?

Hi,

Hi. I was eligible for late husband's railroad retirement when I turned 60 few weeks ago. I am working part time for now to keep health insurance with my employer. My question is.... There is Tier 1 (social security) and then Tier 2. If my social security benefit is more than Tier 1 can I apply for that at age 66 and replace the Tier 1 with my social security benefit?

Hi,

Yes, that can be done.

Best, Jerry

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,