Why Does My Wife Lose Her Railroad Retirement Spousal Annuity When I Pass Away?

Welcome to another edition of the Highball Advisors Railroad Retirement Mailbag! I’m John McNamara of Highball Advisors, and today’s question comes from Carl S 1517. He asks: “If I pass away before my wife, I understand she loses her spousal annuity. Does she then receive my total monthly amount?”

Thanks for reaching out, Carl. Here's the answer: When you pass, your wife will lose her spousal annuity, as it is a survivor benefit. However, she will continue to receive your Tier 1 and Tier 2 amounts from the Railroad Retirement system. Keep in mind, the spousal annuity is no longer available.

It's also important to note that your wife’s age will affect when she can start collecting her survivor annuity. If she's under 60, she won't be able to collect it right away unless she’s caring for children under 18 or a disabled child.

For more details, check out my video on What You Need to Know About Your Survivor Annuity and Railroad Retirement, where I dive deeper into these topics.

I hope this helps, Carl! Feel free to send in your questions, and I’ll create a video to answer them. Until next time, everyone, stay safe, stay on track, and take care! Bye for now!

Get Free Railroad Retirement Assessment

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.