Effective Dates: 10/06/2023 - Present Previous | Next

TN 20 (10-23)

RS 01602.500 Referral of Retirement, Survivor, Disability Insurance (RSDI) Claimants to the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)

A. Referring disability claimants with railroad involvement

When an alleged disabled number holder (NH) has earned 60 or more railroad service months after 1995, or earned 120 or more railroad service months at any time, and allegedly not filed an application with the RRB, take an application for SSA disability benefits (if insured) or freeze (if uninsured).

Also, instruct the applicant to contact the nearest RRB field office (RRB FO) as provided in DI 11050.030. Inform the NH that they should file an application with RRB to claim benefits under the Railroad Retirement Act. An SSA application does not protect the filing of an RRB life claim in all cases.

B. Referring retirement claimants with railroad involvement

1. When a NH alleges they:

  • •

    earned 60 or more railroad service months after 1995, or

  • •

    earned 120 or more railroad service months at any time, and

  • •

    did not file an application with RRB, and

  • •

    Informational/Certified Earnings Record System (ICERS) agrees with the RR employment allegation.

Instruct the NH to contact the nearest RRB FO to file an application for RR benefits. To locate the nearest RRB office, call the automated “toll-free” help line at 1-877-772-5772, or access the RRB’s website at http://www.rrb.gov.

If ICERS indicates railroad employment of fewer than the required service months for an annuity, then the RRB referral is not necessary.

2. NH has 60 or more railroad service months or 120 or more at any time

When a NH with 60 or more railroad service months after 1995, or 120 or more railroad service months at any time, files a claim for SS benefits and is not insured based on SS earnings only, then disallow the claim if they are under age 64 and 9 months.

3. NH is age 65 or older

If the applicant is age 65 or older, or at least age 64 and 9 months, and qualifies as a Qualified Railroad Retirement Beneficiary (QRRB), disallow the claim for SSA benefits, but follow the procedure regarding Medicare entitlement in RS 01602.150D. For more information on QRRB, see HI 00801.011.

To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0301602500
RS 01602.500 - Referral of Retirement, Survivor, Disability Insurance (RSDI) Claimants to the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) - 10/06/2023
Batch run: 10/06/2023
Rev:10/06/2023