Will Working in Railroad Retirement Jeopardize My Survivor Annuity?

Does Working Part-Time After Retirement Affect Your Railroad Retirement Survivor Benefits?

Welcome to another edition of the Highball Advisors Railroad Retirement Mailbag! I’m John McNamara from Highball Advisors, and today’s question comes from Robert B.

Robert asks: “I’m already retired and receiving my Tier I Railroad Retirement benefits. If I take a part-time job with the state as a correctional officer—about 24 hours a week—could this affect my wife’s future survivor annuity? She’s not eligible to receive any retirement annuities yet due to her age. Would my part-time job put our ‘current connection’ at risk?”

Does Post-Retirement Work Affect Your Current Connection?

This is a great question, because the current connection is incredibly valuable for protecting survivor benefits.

Here’s the good news:

• Once you begin receiving your Railroad Retirement annuity, your current connection is locked in.
• That means you cannot lose it, regardless of the number of hours you work or the type of job you take after retirement.
• So, working part-time as a state correctional officer will not jeopardize your wife’s future survivor annuity.

Simply put: Your survivor benefits remain intact. No need for concern—carry on with your plans.

If you’d like a deeper dive into this topic, take a look at my video: “Current Connection in Railroad Retirement.” It covers how the current connection works and why it’s so important.

Have a Question About Railroad Retirement?

If you’re a railroader with questions, feel free to send them in—I may feature yours in a future mailbag post.

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

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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.