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Effective: May 1, 2009 |
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04.05ar2 - Railroad Retirement Benefits (Archive) |
Archived: October 1, 2012 |
Current and former railroad employees may receive railroad retirement benefits. These people may apply for railroad retirement benefits and Medicare through the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). This section explains the role of the RRB and railroad retirement benefits.
More information about the RRB can be obtained either:
l online at www.rrb.gov, or
l by calling the RRB national information line: (800) 833-4455.
What is the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)?
What are Railroad Retirement Benefits?
Who Qualifies for Railroad Retirement Benefits?
Railroad Retirement Benefits Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA).
How to Apply for Railroad Retirement Benefits or Medicare with the RRB.
What is the Railroad Retirement Board?
The RRB is an independent agency of the Federal Government. It administers railroad retirement benefits and Medicare for railroad workers and their families. The primary function of the RRB is to determine and pay railroad retirement benefits.
Railroad workers who meet certain service requirements are eligible for:
l retiree benefits,
l disability benefits,
l dependent benefits for spouses, ex-spouses and children meeting certain criteria, and
l survivor benefits.
If a person has also earned enough Social Security credits to receive Social Security benefits as well as railroad retirement benefits, the beneficiary receives the larger benefit of the two.
Who Qualifies for Railroad Retirement Benefits?
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 RRB for beneficiaries who are not able to take care of their own finances.
The Medicare claim number for people receiving Medicare through the RRB is the person's 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 Social Security number 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 |
Railroad Retirement Benefits COLA
The cost of living adjustment for railroad retirement benefits is received January 1 of each year. Count the COLA amount at the time an MA client receives the increased amount.
People turning age 65 who are receiving railroad retirement benefits must apply for Medicare through the RRB. See Referrals to Medicare for more information on when to refer people to the RRB to apply for and enroll in Medicare.
Refer people to apply for cash benefits who are of retirement age or are disabled, or are survivors or disabled dependents of people who have earned full retirement credits under the RRB.
How to Apply for Railroad Retirement Benefits or Medicare with the RRB
Application is made by writing to or calling the RRB District office.
Minnesota residents eligible for benefits should contact the Minnesota RRB District office regarding cash benefit information and to apply for Medicare:
Minnesota Railroad Retirement Board.
Suite 195.
180 E 5th St.
St. Paul, MN 55101-1640.
Telephone: (877) 772-5772.