When Should I Start My Part-Time Job in Railroad Retirement?

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

"Hi John, thanks for all you do. How soon after my Railroad Retirement start date can I get a part-time job?"

That’s a great question! Many railroaders consider part-time work after retirement—sometimes to stay active or to help bridge the gap to Medicare with health insurance coverage.

The key issue here is the current connection requirement. Once your Railroad Retirement annuity begins, the current connection is locked in—you no longer have to worry about losing it. That means the survivor annuity will still be available to your spouse, even if you take a non-railroad job afterward.

However, keep in mind that depending on your age and earnings, work deductions may apply to your annuity. The good news is that since you're starting work after your Railroad Retirement begins, there won’t be any Tier II deductions related to your last pre-retirement railroad employer.

I’d recommend checking out my video, “Do I Need a Current Connection to Receive Railroad Retirement Benefits?”—I go into more detail about these important considerations.

Thanks again for your question, J.G. If you have a question you'd like answered, feel free to send it my way—I just might feature it in an upcoming 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.