Railroad Retirement Benefits

Railroad workers have a different system of retirement benefits than other workers. They are not covered by Social Security. Instead, they draw on benefits provided by the Railroad Retirement Board, headquartered in Chicago. While the RRB and Social Security are separate systems, they work in much the same way, with a few major differences.

The RRB administers retirement annuities, disability benefits, survivor benefits, unemployment, and Medicare and sickness benefits.

Railroad Claims And Retirement Benefits

As a railroad worker, you have two levels of retirement benefits available to you. The first level, known as Tier I, is essentially the same as Social Security. Tier II is available only to railroad employees.

The RRB accumulates retirement income for you through a payroll deduction program that includes matching funds from your employer.

In this system, the worker is credited by months of service. You must have put in 10 years of service to qualify for railroad employee annuity, or five years if all your service occurred after 1995. We recommend that you keep track of your creditable months to ensure that your employer is reporting them accurately.

Railroad Retirement Benefits For Spouses

At Bremseth Law Firm, of Minnetonka, Minnesota, we provide guidance on all topics arising from railroad retirement benefits, including benefits for surviving spouses. Our lawyers are experienced in the complexities of the Railroad Retirement Act, including all paperwork for disability annuities, pensions, RRB sickness, insurance, unemployment and survivorship benefits. Our goal is always to deliver maximum compensation and maximum benefits.

Contact the attorneys at Bremseth Law Firm at 952-475-2800 for additional information or to schedule a conversation with an attorney.