Information on this page is current as of 2026. Figures are updated annually. Always verify current amounts at RRB.gov or your local RRB field office.
Your Railroad Retirement annuity is made up of two components paid together as a single monthly check:
Tier I
The Social Security equivalent. Calculated using the same formula as Social Security, based on your combined railroad and non-railroad earnings over your career. If you worked in both railroad and non-railroad jobs, both records are used.
- Replaces Social Security for railroad workers
- Subject to the same annual cost-of-living adjustments as Social Security
- 2026 COLA increase: +2.8%
Tier II
The railroad pension — on top of Tier I. Based solely on your railroad service and earnings. This is what makes Railroad Retirement significantly better than Social Security alone.
- Paid in addition to Tier I
- Based on years of railroad service and railroad compensation
- 2026 COLA increase: +0.9%
The earliest you can begin receiving Railroad Retirement benefits depends on your age and years of creditable railroad service. “Creditable service” means any month in which you performed compensated work for a railroad employer covered by the Railroad Retirement Act — even if only one day in the month.
| Scenario | Minimum Age | Required Service | Benefit Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30-Year / Age 60 | 60 | 30 years of railroad service | ✔ Full, unreduced annuity |
| Early Retirement | 62 | Less than 30 years | ⚠ Reduced annuity (Tier I reduced for early claiming) |
| Full Retirement Age | 65–67 (see table below) | 10+ years (or 5 years after 1995) | ✔ Full, unreduced annuity |
| Minimum Vesting | 62 | 10 years (or 5 years after 1995) | ⚠ Reduced — must have met vesting minimum |
| Less than 5 years of railroad service | N/A | Under 5 years | Railroad credits transferred to Social Security system. No RRB annuity. |
Service months do not need to be consecutive. You receive credit for any month in which you had compensated railroad service, even for just one day.
If you have fewer than 30 years of service, your Full Retirement Age determines when you can receive an unreduced Tier I benefit. FRA has been rising gradually, matching Social Security’s schedule:
| Year of Birth | Full Retirement Age |
|---|---|
| 1937 or earlier | 65 |
| 1938 | 65 and 2 months |
| 1939 | 65 and 4 months |
| 1940 | 65 and 6 months |
| 1941 | 65 and 8 months |
| 1942 | 65 and 10 months |
| 1943–1954 | 66 |
| 1955 | 66 and 2 months |
| 1956 | 66 and 4 months |
| 1957 | 66 and 6 months |
| 1958 | 66 and 8 months |
| 1959 | 66 and 10 months |
| 1960 or later | 67 |
Tier I is calculated using the same formula the Social Security Administration uses for Social Security benefits. It takes your average indexed monthly earnings from your highest 35 years of covered earnings (both railroad and non-railroad), applies a benefit formula with “bend points,” and arrives at your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). If you also receive Social Security benefits on your own record, your Tier I is reduced by that amount to prevent duplication.
Tier II is calculated based solely on your railroad service and earnings. The basic formula is 0.7% of your average monthly railroad earnings (up to the Tier II maximum — $137,100 in 2026) for each year of service. More years of service = a meaningfully higher Tier II benefit.
Social Security Fairness Act (2025): The Social Security Fairness Act was signed into law on January 5, 2025. It eliminates reductions that previously applied to Tier I when a member also received a public pension from work not covered by Social Security. The RRB is in the process of implementing this change — monitor RRB.gov/SSFActFAQ for updates.
Railroad Retirement provides spouse annuities directly to the husband or wife of a retired employee. These are paid in addition to the employee’s own annuity.
Employee Has 30+ Years of Service
- Spouse eligible at age 60 (same as the employee)
- Annuity is generally unreduced if employee retired at 60 or later
- Spouse caring for an unmarried child under 18 (or disabled child) can qualify at any age
Employee Has Less Than 30 Years
- Spouse eligible at age 62
- Early retirement reductions apply if spouse claims before their own Full Retirement Age
- Spouse at any age if caring for employee’s qualifying child
Divorced Spouse
- Eligible if marriage lasted at least 10 years
- Both ex-spouse and former employee must be age 62
- Divorced spouse must be currently unmarried
- Divorce annuity paid even if employee has not yet retired
Spouse Annuity Amount
- Tier I: 50% of the employee’s Tier I PIA (before any reductions)
- Tier II: 45% of the employee’s Tier II benefit
- Spouse annuity is reduced if employee is also receiving Social Security on own record
- Marriage must generally have lasted at least 1 year
If a railroad employee dies, survivor annuities may be paid to their family. The deceased employee must generally have been “insured” — meaning at least 10 years of railroad service (or 5 years after 1995) and a “current connection” to the railroad industry at the time of death or retirement.
Surviving Spouse (Widow/Widower)
- Reduced annuity available as early as age 60
- If disabled: as early as age 50
- Unreduced benefit at Full Retirement Age
- Must have been married to employee for at least 9 months (with exceptions)
- Remarriage after age 60 does not affect eligibility
Children
- Unmarried children under age 18
- Under age 19 if still in high school
- Disabled adult children (disability began before age 22)
- Benefits based on a percentage of employee’s Tier I benefit
Divorced Surviving Spouse
- Eligible if marriage lasted at least 10 years
- Must not have remarried (before age 60)
- Benefits up to the Tier I amount
- Caring for employee’s child under 16 — no age or remarriage restriction
Lump-Sum Death Benefit
- May be payable if no survivor annuity is immediately due
- Contact the RRB promptly after a death — apply within 2 years
- Additional residual lump sum may be payable to spouse or estate depending on contributions vs. benefits paid
Railroad Retirement provides two types of disability annuities for employees who can no longer work:
Total Disability Annuity
- For employees permanently disabled from any regular work
- Requires 10 years of railroad service (or 5 years after 1995)
- Current connection to the railroad industry required
- 5-month waiting period after onset of disability
- Qualifies for Medicare after 24 months of disability (no waiting period for ALS)
Occupational Disability Annuity
- For employees disabled from their regular railroad occupation (e.g., conductor duties), even if capable of other work
- Must be age 60 with 10 years of service, or any age with 20 years of service
- Current connection required
- 5-month waiting period applies
The rules on working after retirement differ significantly depending on whether you work for a railroad employer or a non-railroad employer.
Non-railroad employment is treated differently and follows earnings limits similar to Social Security:
| Age / Status | 2026 Annual Earnings Limit | Reduction Formula |
|---|---|---|
| Under Full Retirement Age (all year) | $24,480 | $1 withheld for every $2 over the limit |
| Reaching FRA in 2026 (months before FRA) | $65,160 | $1 withheld for every $3 over the limit |
| At or above Full Retirement Age | No limit | No reduction |
| First year of retirement (monthly rule) | $2,040/month | Full annuity paid for any month earnings ≤ $2,040, regardless of annual total |
Railroad retirees receive Medicare coverage just like Social Security recipients — but your enrollment, premium collection, and Part B claims are all handled through the Railroad Retirement Board, not the Social Security Administration.
Part A — Hospital Insurance
- Premium-free if you have 10+ years (40 quarters) of covered service
- Covers inpatient hospital, skilled nursing (after hospital stay), hospice, some home health
- 2026 deductible: $1,736 per benefit period
Part B — Medical Insurance
- Standard 2026 premium: $202.90/month (higher earners pay more)
- Annual deductible: $283 — then Medicare covers 80%
- Deducted automatically from your RRB annuity check each month
- Late enrollment penalty: +10% per year you delay past eligibility
Enrollment
- If you’re already receiving your RRB annuity when you turn 65, enrollment in Parts A & B is automatic
- If not yet collecting your annuity at 65, contact your RRB field office to enroll — don’t wait
- Initial enrollment window: 3 months before your 65th birthday through 3 months after
Railroad Medicare Part B Claims
- Your doctors must submit Part B claims to Palmetto GBA, the RRB’s Part B contractor — not to the regular Medicare contractor
- Tell every provider you have Railroad Medicare
- Palmetto GBA: 1-800-833-4455
- palmettogba.com
Medicare Part D (Prescription Drugs, 2026): Average monthly premium approximately $39, with an annual deductible up to $615. Out-of-pocket costs are capped at $2,600 in 2026. You can have Part D premiums deducted directly from your RRB annuity check.
The Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act (RUIA) provides short-term income protection for active railroad workers who are laid off or unable to work due to illness or injury. These benefits are separate from your retirement annuity.
Unemployment Benefits
- Available if laid off, furloughed, or unable to find railroad work
- Benefit year begins July 1 each year
- Maximum daily benefit rate (benefit year beginning July 1, 2026): $103/day
- To qualify for the benefit year beginning July 1, 2027: you need at least $5,375 in base-year railroad compensation in 2026
Sickness Benefits
- Available if unable to work due to illness or off-the-job injury
- Same daily rate as unemployment: $103/day
- For work-related injuries, Railroad Retirement sickness benefits supplement workers’ compensation
- Apply through myRRB or your local RRB field office
- Also see: Hartford Supplemental Sickness Benefits — 800-211-3971
Railroad Retirement annuities receive automatic cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) each January, calculated from changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Tier I and Tier II receive separate COLA percentages:
| Year | Tier I COLA | Tier II COLA |
|---|---|---|
| January 2025 | +2.5% | +0.8% |
| January 2026 | +2.8% | +0.9% |
Tier I COLA mirrors the Social Security COLA (equal to the full CPI increase). Tier II COLA is set at 32.5% of the CPI increase. Vested dual benefits and supplemental annuities are not adjusted for CPI. In late December each year, the RRB mails all annuitants a notice showing their updated annuity rates for the coming year.
Your Railroad Retirement annuity does not begin automatically. You must stop railroad employment and file an application with the RRB. Here’s how to do it:
- Applications are accepted up to 3 months before your desired annuity start date. Don’t wait until you’re ready to retire — start early.
- Schedule a pre-retirement counseling appointment at your local RRB field office (in-person or phone). This is free and strongly recommended. Call 877-772-5772.
- Gather your documents in advance: birth certificate, proof of military service (if any), marriage certificate (if applying for spouse annuity), Social Security card, direct deposit banking information.
- File proofs of birth date and military service with the RRB in advance of retirement to speed up processing.
- Applications can be submitted in person, by phone, or by mail at your local field office.
- If applying for a disability annuity, you will need to submit medical evidence and may be required to undergo a medical examination arranged by the RRB.
- If you also receive Social Security benefits, be prepared to provide notice of your Social Security award.
The RRB launched a redesigned myRRB portal on June 4, 2026. It requires a Login.gov account for secure access. Once registered, you can:
- View your railroad service and compensation history
- Get a personalized retirement benefit estimate
- Apply for unemployment benefits online
- Claim sickness benefits
- Check unemployment/sickness claim status and payment info
- Access RUIA tax documents
- Request letters verifying annuity rate
- Request replacement Medicare card
- Get duplicate 1099-R tax statements
- Change mailing address (retired employees)
- Manage direct deposit (retired employees)
RRB National Helpline: 877-772-5772 — available 24/7 for automated services; live representatives available during business hours.
TTY: 312-751-4701 | Office hours: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Monday–Friday (closed federal holidays)
Newark, NJ Field Office
Your local office — serves most NJ Transit membersVeterans’ Administration Building
20 Washington Place, Room 516
Newark, NJ 07102
Hours: 9:00 AM–3:00 PM, Mon–Fri
Walk-in and appointment service available.
Call: 877-772-5772 to schedule
New York, NY Field Office
Appointment onlyCall 877-772-5772 for address and to schedule.
Hours: 9:00 AM–3:00 PM, Mon–Fri
Philadelphia, PA Field Office
Nix Federal Building900 Market Street, Room 301
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Hours: 9:00 AM–3:00 PM, Mon–Fri
Walk-in and appointment available.
Palmetto GBA (Railroad Medicare Part B)
For Part B claims — tell your providers to bill hereP.O. Box 10066
Augusta, GA 30999
Phone: 1-800-833-4455
palmettogba.com
NJT Retirement Programs
For 401(k) / 457 plan questionsWayne P. Solomon — Sr. Director
(973) 491-8309 WSolomon@njtransit.com
John P. Frescki — Director
(973) 491-8716 JFrescki@njtransit.com
RRB Headquarters
U.S. Railroad Retirement BoardWilliam O. Lipinski Federal Building
844 North Rush Street
Chicago, IL 60611
Toll Free: 877-772-5772
RRB.gov
- ⬇ Download Railroad Retirement Information Guide (PDF, Local 60)
- ⬇ Download Railroad Retirement Presentation — Over Age 65 (PPTX, 2024)
- ⬇ Download Railroad Retirement Presentation — Under Age 65 (PPTX, 2024)
- ⬇ Download RRB Sickness & Unemployment Benefits Guide (PDF)
- ⬇ Download Railroad Retirement & Survivor Benefits — Official RRB Booklet 2026 (PDF, RRB.gov)
This page is provided as a member resource. Benefit rules and dollar amounts change annually. Always verify current figures with the RRB at RRB.gov or by calling 877-772-5772. This is not legal or financial advice — for complex situations, consult an RRB counselor or qualified advisor.