Example 1
A survivor files an application and the RRB determines that the SSA has jurisdiction
because the:
-
•
deceased had 120 or more months of RR service, or at least 60 months of RR service
earned after December 31, 1995, but there was no current connection. For additional
information on current connection, see RS 01601.100B.4; or
-
•
survivor applicant has less than 120 months of RR service or less than 60 months of
RR service earned after December 31, 1995 on their own record; or
-
•
survivor applicant has no entitlement or potential entitlement to a RR annuity on
any other worker's record.
SSA certifies the survivor’s benefit to Treasury based on combined SSA and RR earnings.
Refer to the certification criteria in RS 01601.310C.l.f. in this section.
Example 2
Using the same circumstances as Example 1, except the survivor has 120 or more months of RR service or at least 60 months of RR service earned after
December 31, 1995. SSA must certify the survivor benefit to the RRB even though SSA
has jurisdiction of the survivor claim. Refer to the certification criteria in RS 01601.310C.l.a. in this section.
Example 3
A survivor files an application. The RRB has jurisdiction, and the RRB consequently
pays the survivor benefits. Certification is not an issue, since no SSA survivor benefit
exists. Later, the survivor, who has no RR service, attains age 62 and files for a
SSA benefit on an SSN that does not involve RR. SSA will certify the SSA benefit to
the RRB. Refer to the certification criteria in RS 01601.310C.l.e. in this section.
Example 4
Prior to 1975, SSA certified to Treasury the SSA benefits of a worker entitled to
both SSA and RR benefits. The worker's spouse attained age 62 after 1975, and SSA
certified the spouse's benefit to the RRB. The RR worker’s SSA benefit remains certified
to Treasury.
If prior to 1975, SSA certified to Treasury the benefits of a young spouse and the
spouse’s entitlement ended before their entitlement to an aged spouse benefit began,
SSA would still certify the aged spouse benefit to the RRB. However, if there was
no break in entitlement, (i.e., benefits converted from young spouse's benefits to
aged spouse’s benefits), certification to Treasury would continue. Refer to the RRB
certification exception in RS 01601.310C.3. in this section.
Example 5
A person entitled to both a disability insurance benefit (DIB) on their own record
and a disabled adult child's (DAC) benefit on their parent's record has no railroad
service. Their parent receives a RR annuity. Assuming that their DAC benefit is higher
than their DIB benefit, SSA certifies only the difference to the RRB. SSA certifies
the DIB to Treasury. Refer to the certification criteria in RS 01601.310C.1.f. in this section.
Example 6
SSA certifies a child benefit to the RRB, per RS 01601.310C.1.f. in this section. The child later becomes entitled as a child on a second SSA record,
which yields a higher benefit. There is no RR involvement on the second claim. SSA
suspends benefits on the original claim since only technical entitlement exists. SSA
advises the RRB to discontinue certification of the child's benefit to Treasury. SSA
certifies the child's benefit due on the second claim to Treasury.
Example 7
A person with no RR service files for a SSA benefit on their own record and also files
for a minor child on that record. If they are the spouse of a vested RR worker, certify
the spouse’s SSA benefit to the RRB, per the certification criteria in RS 01601.310C.1.b in this section. This is the case even if the RR worker is still working or is too
young to file for an annuity. Certify the child's benefit to Treasury, since none
of the conditions for RR certification applies.
Example 8
A divorced spouse or independently entitled divorced spouse with no railroad service
is entitled to both a SSA retirement benefit on their own SSA record and to divorced
spouse’s benefits on the vested former spouse’s SSA record. Certify both the divorced
spouse’s benefit and the SSA retirement benefit to the RRB. Refer to the certification
criteria in RS 01601.310C.1.c in this section.
Example 9
An individual who is divorced from a vested railroad worker is entitled to a SSA retirement
benefit. They would qualify for SSA divorced spouse’s benefits except that their own
retirement benefit is equal to or exceeds one-half of the railroad worker’s primary
insurance amount (PIA). Certify the individual’s SSA retirement benefit to the RRB.
Refer to the certification criteria in RS 01601.310C.1.d. in this section.