Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)
Death notification, 5 survivor benefits, and required documents
OverviewWhen someone dies
Railroad Retirement Board
Phone1-877-772-5772
TTY312-751-4701
Mailing Address
Railroad Retirement Board William O. Lipinski Federal Building 844 North Rush Street Chicago, IL 60611-1275
WebsiteVisit website→
HoursMonday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. local time (24-hour automated service available)
Survivor Benefits
Phone1-877-772-5772
WebsiteLearn about benefits→
HoursMonday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. local time
Death Reporting
Phone1-877-772-5772
WebsiteLearn more →
HoursMonday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. local time
Verified May 2026
The Railroad Retirement Board administers retirement and survivor benefits for railroad workers and their families. The RRB system provides benefits similar to Social Security but with higher benefit levels for career railroad employees. When a railroad worker or retiree dies, the RRB processes survivor annuities, lump sum death benefits, and residual payments.
Death notification
When a railroad retiree or employee dies, the surviving spouse or family member should contact the nearest RRB field office or call 1-877-772-5772 to report the death. The RRB must be notified promptly to stop annuity payments and avoid overpayment. An annuity is not payable for the month in which the employee or spouse dies. Railroad retirement benefits are separate from Social Security, so reporting a death to Social Security does not notify the RRB.
Deadline: As soon as possible; annuity payments received after death must be returned
Survivor benefits
The RRB offers 5 benefits for surviving family members.
Widow/Widower Annuity
Monthly annuity for the surviving spouse of a railroad worker with at least 10 years of railroad service (or 5 years after 1995) and a current connection to the railroad industry. The annuity has two tiers: Tier I (100% of the Social Security-equivalent amount) is based on combined railroad and Social Security earnings, and Tier II (50% of the employee's Tier II amount) is based on railroad service and earnings alone.
Amount: Tier I: 100% of the Social Security-equivalent survivor benefit; Tier II: 50% of employee's Tier II amount. Average widow(er) annuity is approximately $2,109 per month (January 2026).
Children's Survivor Annuity
Monthly annuity for unmarried children under 18 (or 18-19 if full-time students in elementary or secondary school) of a deceased railroad worker. Disabled children may receive benefits at any age if the disability began before age 22. Dependent grandchildren may also qualify. Tier I is 75% of the Social Security-equivalent amount and Tier II is 15% of the employee's Tier II amount.
Amount: Tier I: 75% of the Social Security-equivalent amount; Tier II: 15% of employee's Tier II amount. Average children's annuity is approximately $1,839 per month (fiscal year 2024).
Lump Sum Death Benefit
A one-time payment to help defray burial expenses, payable only when no survivor qualifies for a monthly annuity in the month of death. For employees with at least 120 months of railroad service before January 1, 1975 (1937 Act), the payment ranges from $180 to $1,400 based on earnings. For employees without 120 months of pre-1975 service (1981 Amendment), the benefit is $255. An application must be filed within two years of the employee's death.
Amount: $255 (1981 Amendment, no 120 months pre-1975 service); $180 to $1,400 (1937 Act, 120+ months pre-1975 service). Average lump-sum death benefit is approximately $940 (fiscal year 2024).
Residual Lump Sum
If no survivor annuity is payable, or if total survivor benefits paid are less than the total railroad retirement taxes paid by the employee, a residual lump sum may be payable to the estate or designated beneficiary. This ensures families receive at least the amount the employee contributed to the railroad retirement system. This benefit is seldom payable.
Amount: Difference between railroad retirement taxes paid by the employee and benefits already received
Dependent Parent Annuity
Monthly annuity for a dependent parent age 60 or older who relied on the deceased employee for at least half of their financial support. Tier I is 82.5% of the Social Security-equivalent amount. If the employee was also survived by a widow(er), the parent's annuity is limited to Tier I only (Tier II is 35% when payable).
Amount: Tier I: 82.5% of the Social Security-equivalent amount; Tier II: 35% of employee's Tier II amount (when payable)
When someone dies
Notifying the RRB after a death
5-step process, 10 required documents, and 5 survivor benefits.
View details →Frequently asked questions
No. Railroad retirement is a separate federal program administered by the Railroad Retirement Board. While it provides benefits similar to Social Security, railroad retirement generally pays higher benefits to career railroad workers. Railroad workers pay railroad retirement taxes instead of Social Security taxes.
Railroad Retirement Board
Phone1-877-772-5772
TTY312-751-4701
Mailing Address
Railroad Retirement Board William O. Lipinski Federal Building 844 North Rush Street Chicago, IL 60611-1275
WebsiteVisit website→
HoursMonday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. local time (24-hour automated service available)
Survivor Benefits
Phone1-877-772-5772
WebsiteLearn about benefits→
HoursMonday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. local time
Death Reporting
Phone1-877-772-5772
WebsiteLearn more →
HoursMonday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. local time
Verified May 2026