Railroad Retirement: Will a Gap Before 60 Break My Current Connection?

Welcome, everyone, to another edition of the Highball Advisors Railroad Retirement Mailbag. I’m John McNamara of Highball Advisors, and today’s question comes from Magician2166, who asks:

“If I retire from the railroad six months before turning 60, with 30+ years of service, will my current connection be broken during the four months before I start collecting my railroad retirement?”

Great question! The good news is—no, your current connection will not be broken in this case. Since you have at least 12 months of railroad service within the 30 months prior to leaving, your current connection is preserved.

Also, it’s important to note: once you begin collecting your railroad retirement annuity, the current connection no longer matters. That issue goes away entirely once your benefits begin.

If you'd like a deeper dive into this topic, check out my video: “Staying Connected for Railroad Retirement.” It covers all the ins and outs of maintaining your current connection.

As always, feel free to send in your questions—I’ll be happy to address them in a future video.

Until next time—stay safe, stay on track, and take care. So long, everybody!

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Disclaimer: This article is provided for general information and illustration purposes only. Nothing contained in the material constitutes tax advice, a recommendation for purchase or sale of any security, or investment advisory services. Highball Advisors encourages you to consult a financial planner, accountant, and/or legal counsel for advice specific to your situation. Reproduction of this material is prohibited without written permission from Highball Advisors, and all rights are reserved from Highball Advisors, and all rights are reserved.