Full question: My mother receives a pension from my father’s railroad retirement, she has never received Social Security, is she eligible for both? She has a small pension from the City of Boston also, has paid into Social Security her lifetime, wasn’t sure what will work best for her? How do you know what Tier of pension you have from the railroad, my father passed 8 years ago, she does not understand the process?

Hi there,

Thank you for reaching out with your questions regarding your mother’s benefits.

Since your mother receives a pension from your father’s railroad retirement and has her own pension from the City of Boston with Social Security contributions, she may be eligible for benefits from both sources. However, the Social Security Administration (SSA) coordinates with the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) to ensure beneficiaries do not receive dual benefits, but rather the higher of the two.

The Tier I railroad retirement benefits are similar to Social Security benefits and are based on the railroad worker’s earnings and years of service. If your mother’s Social Security benefits are higher than the Tier I benefits she receives from your father’s railroad retirement, her Tier I benefits would be reduced by the amount of Social Security she receives.

To determine the best course of action for your mother and to understand the specifics of her Tier pension from the railroad, it would be beneficial to contact the Railroad Retirement Board directly for detailed information about her survivor benefits. Additionally, consulting with a financial advisor or a Registered Social Security Analyst (RSSA) can provide personalized advice tailored to her situation.

I hope this information is helpful to you and your mother as you navigate her benefit options.

All the best,
Martha

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