Will My Part-Time Job Affect My Current Connection for Railroad Retirement

Understanding Current Connection and Side Jobs in Railroad Retirement

Welcome back to the Highball Advisors Railroad Retirement Mailbag! I’m John McNamara, and today’s question comes from Ryan B., who writes:

“I have 14 years in the railroad, but I have a question about the current connection. If I work a side job on weekends that provides a W-2, will that break my current connection even though I’m still working for the railroad?”

This is a great question, and it comes up often.

Does a Side Job Break Your Current Connection?

The short answer is no. A side job— even one that issues you a W-2 — will not break your current connection as long as you continue working for the railroad.

Your “current connection” matters primarily for survivor annuity eligibility. To maintain that connection, you need 12 months of railroad service within the 30 months immediately before you begin your annuity. As long as that requirement is met, outside employment won’t jeopardize it.

Can a Side Job Help Your Benefits?

Surprisingly, yes. Side jobs that pay into Social Security can actually increase your Tier I benefit, because they raise your overall Social Security earnings record. That, in turn, can help boost your annual Tier I amount.

Want to Learn More About Survivor Benefits?

If you’d like a deeper dive into how the current connection affects survivor annuities, check out my video: “What You Need to Know About Your Survivor Annuity and Railroad Retirement.” It covers the key rules and helps clarify common misconceptions.

Thanks for reading, and keep those questions coming! I’m always happy to tackle them in future videos.

Until next time, stay safe, stay on track, and take care.

— John

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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.