Railroad Retirement

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If I claim spousal benefits through my husband’s Railroad Benefits, will it make me claim my Social Security benefit too?

Full question: I am hoping you will be able to assist in answering a question related to spousal benefits that potentially may involve coordination between the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) and the Social Security Administration (SSA). I plan to take my full retirement benefits at age 67 through SSA. I am currently 62. I do…

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If I switch from Railroad spousal benefits to my own retirement benefit at 70, will I still receive delayed credits?

Full question: My wife retired from the railroad at 63. I am collecting a railroad spousal annuity at 65. When i switch at 70 to my own Social Security which is higher than my Railroad spousal annuity, do i get the delayed Social Security credits from 66 and 6 months to 70? Hello, Thank you…

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Can I collect my Social Security to make up the difference between my benefit and my survivor benefit?

Full question: My husband is in hospice. When he passes, I will be able to collect his railroad pension, but no longer mine. Can I collect my Social Security to make up for the lost? Hi there, I am sorry about your husband. Railroad retirement benefits and Social Security benefits are similar. There are a…

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My wife is eligible for Railroad Retirement and Social Security. What are her options?

Full question: My wife is getting Railroad Retirement and is receiving $1,423 a month. Her Social Security statement says that she is eligible for $2,309 a month under Social Security. Can you please tell us what her options are if any at all? Thank you. Hello, Railroad retirement benefits and Social Security claiming strategies can…

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What is the best claiming strategy if you are eligible to collect both Social Security and Railroad Retirement?

Full question: Is there a strategy if you have both Railroad retirement credits, my case 13 years’ worth and about 27 years of Social Security credits. Turn on one before or at FRA then switch to the other to get the delay credits from Social Security? Hello, Railroad Retirement and Social Security can be very…

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Should I collect Social Security or Railroad Retirement?

Full question: I receive Social Security because it is more than Railroad Retirement. Is it wise to switch over to Railroad Retirement like my husband- he is an RR retiree? Hi there, The Railroad Retirement and Social Security can be very situational. Meaning that depending on your situation, the answer may change. In some cases,…

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