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RAILROAD RETIREMENT

The Railroad Retirement Insurance system provides retirement, disability and survivors benefits under rules approximately the same as for Social Security.  There is also a supplemental retirement annuity and, for some people, the possibility of collecting both Railroad Retirement and Social Security benefits.

Retirement

Retired railroad workers are eligible for full monthly benefits at age 65 if they have worked for a railroad employer for a total of ten or more years.  A retired worker can choose to retire early and receive benefits after reaching the age of 62, but the benefits received will be permanently reduced. 

Disability

There are two types of disability benefits under the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA).  Either benefit is available to persons younger than 65 who become disabled and cannot work.  Both require a waiting period before benefits begin.

(1) Occupational Disability

An occupational disability is one that prevents a person from performing his/her assigned job with the railroad.  Benefits are available to workers at age 60 if they have at least 10 years of service with the railroad, or at any age if they have 20 years of service with the railroad.

(2) Total Disability

Total disability means that the person cannot perform any kind of substantial gainful employment for the railroad or anyone else.  These benefits are available at any time if a worker has become permanently disabled and has at least 10 years of service with the railroad.

When you file for disability, you should be prepared to bring letters and or records from your doctors, hospitals, or clinics that describe your medical conditions. These letters or records should also state that your disabling condition has lasted for 12 months, is expected to last for 12 months or is expected to result in death.

Survivor's Benefits

Annuities or benefits are payable to widows, widowers, and certain unmarried dependent children.  In certain cases, benefits are also payable to parents, widow(er)s who have since remarried, grandchildren, and surviving divorced spouses.  Eligibility for survivor's benefits depends on whether the retired worker was "insured" under the RRA at the time of death.  "Insured" means the worker had at least ten years of railroad service or had a current connection with the railroad industry when he or she died.

For additional information and application for benefits, contact the nearest Railroad Retirement Office. 

CALL FIRST.  MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO BE SURE THE REPRESENTATIVE IS ABLE TO SEE YOU.  BRING ALL THE PAPERS IN YOUR CASE.  USE THE TELEPHONE.  CALL TO FILE YOUR APPLICATION AND SAVE A TRIP.

RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD
DISTRICT OFFICE
401 West Peachtree, Ste. 1702
Atlanta, GA 30365-2550
(404) 331-2841
Hours 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Monday - Friday except Federal Holidays

The Atlanta District Office renders service to all railroad employees located in 127 counties in Georgia and in the following four counties in Alabama--Barbour, Chambers, Lee and Russell.

Counties in Georgia NOT served by Atlanta and the servicing district office include:

(1) Certain counties served by the Jacksonville, FL District Office, telephone (904) 232-2546: 

Brantley, Brooks, Bryan, Camden, Charlton, Chatham, Clinch, Decatur, Echols, Effingham, Glynn, Grady, Lanier, Liberty, Long, Lowndes, McIntosh, Pierce, Seminole, Thomas, Ware, Wayne.

(2) Certain counties served by the Nashville, TN District Office, telephone (615) 736-5131:

Catoosa, Dade, Murry, Walker, Whitfield.

For the convenience of persons who cannot use the facilities of the Atlanta office, in person service is provided at the following locations.  CONTACT THE ATLANTA DISTRICT OFFICE of the BOARD to schedule an appointment in outlying areas.

    
Georgia State Employment Service  
700 4th Avenue
Columbus, GA

Ben Hill County Library
123 North Main Street
Fitzgerald, GA

     
Bibb County Courthouse   
601 Mulberry St.    
3rd Floor
Macon, GA
***Check with Guard for Room Number.

Senior Citizens Community Center
15 St. and Walton Way
Augusta, GA

Service is provided at other locations as necessary.  Persons who plan to visit a representative at any location, or who need assistance, can be better served if they will telephone or write the office in advance.  Always furnish your social security number and the type of information you need.  The representative will arrive at the time shown and leave when business is finished.

From Access: Benefits and Resources for Older Georgians
Last Updated October 2002

Natalie Thomas
Georgia Department of Human Resources    
Division of Aging Services
Two Peachtree Street, NW
36th Floor
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-3142
(404) 657-5258