Will a Second Job Break My "Current Connection" with Railroad Retirement?

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 AGGCX, who asks:

“Would I lose my current connection if I worked for the railroad and held a W-2 job at the same time?”

Great question—and the short answer is no, you would not lose your current connection in that scenario. The key point is that you're still actively working for the railroad.

The Railroad Retirement Board defines the current connection as having at least 12 months of railroad service within the 30 months immediately before your annuity start date. As long as you're meeting that requirement, your current connection stays intact—even if you also have a non-railroad W-2 job on the side.

And remember, that current connection is critically important, especially when it comes to qualifying for the railroad survivor annuity. It’s one of the most important pieces in retirement planning for railroaders.

For a more detailed look, check out my video: “How Your Last Non-Railroad Job Affects Your Railroad Retirement.” It dives deeper into the rules and exceptions surrounding current connection.

I hope this was helpful! Keep sending in those great questions, and I’ll keep making videos to answer them.

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.