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Effective: December 1, 2006 |
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04.05ar1 - Railroad Retirement Board (Archive) |
Archived: May 1, 2009 |
People who work or worked for the Railroad may receive railroad retirement benefits. These people may apply for Medicare through this board. This section explains the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) and the benefits available through them.
More information about the Railroad Retirement Board can be obtained either:
l Online at www.rrb.gov.
l Contacting the RRB national information line: 1-800-833-4455.
How to Apply for RRB or Medicare with RRB.
Railroad workers with full credits are eligible for:
l Retiree benefits.
l Disability benefits.
l Dependent benefits for spouses, ex-spouses and children meeting certain criteria.
l Survivor benefits.
If a person has also earned enough Social Security credits to receive Social Security benefits as well as RRB, the beneficiary receives the larger benefit of the two.
People who work for a railroad have railroad retirement withheld from their earnings instead of Social Security.
l Retiree benefit amounts are based on the number of years of service.
l Retirees with 30 years of service get full retirement benefits at age 60.
Representative Payees are appointed by the Railroad Retirement Board for beneficiaries who are not able to take care of their own finances.
The Medicare claim number is the persons Social Security number with a prefix instead of a suffix.
Exception: Some people who have worked with the railroad only may have a six-digit Medicare claim number.
Example:
A person with the SS # 123-46-9000 files for Medicare through the RRB.
Action:
His Medicare claim number is A123-46-9000.
The prefix will be different if the claim is for a dependent.
Example:
The spouse of a person would have a suffix and Medicare claim number of MA123-46-9000.
The RRB uses the following prefixes on Medicare claim numbers:
|
Code |
Identification |
|
A |
Employee |
|
MA |
Employee spouse |
|
XA |
Divorced spouse |
|
WA |
Aged widow of employee |
|
WD |
Disabled widow of employee |
|
WCA |
Child of employee |
|
WDA |
Child of employee |
The cost of living adjustment for RRB is received January 1st of each year. For MA clients, the COLA amount is counted at the time the amount is received.
People turning age 65 who are receiving Railroad Retirement benefits (RRB) must apply for Medicare through the Railroad Retirement Board. See Referrals to Medicare for more information on when people should be referred to the Railroad Retirement Board to apply for and enroll in Medicare.
Persons, retirement age or disabled, or survivors or disabled dependents of persons who have earned full retirement credits under the RRB should be referred to apply for cash benefits.
How to Apply for RRB or Medicare with RRB
Application is made by writing to or calling the RRB District office.
Minnesota residents eligible for benefits should contact the Minnesota Railroad Retirement Board District office regarding cash benefit information and to apply for Medicare:
Railroad Retirement Board.
Suite 195.
180 E 5th St.
St. Paul, MN 55101-1631.
Telephone: (651) 290-3491.