When you work in the railroad industry, the Railroad Retirement Board keeps your earnings record.
Effective January 1, 2002, you must have either a total of 10 or more years (120 service months) of railroad industry work, or at least five years of railroad work after 1995 to qualify for a pension from the Railroad Retirement Board. If you do not meet the minimum qualifications for a Railroad pension, your railroad industry earnings will count toward your Social Security credits.
Below are examples of how earnings in the railroad industry may affect your retirement:
| Years of Work | Credits |
|---|---|
| Worked in the railroad industry for less than 10 years and you have less than five years of railroad earnings after 1995. | We will include your railroad earnings in counting your Social Security credits and calculating your Social Security benefit. |
| 10 or more years of railroad work or you have five or more years of work after 1995, you may qualify for a pension from the Railroad Board. | We will not use those railroad earnings in determining your Social Security credits or benefit amount. |
Your Social Security Statement yearly earnings from 1973 to present. Your railroad earnings before 1973 are not shown on your Statement, but we do use them in calculating your credits and benefit estimates.
You should contact a Railroad Retirement Board office or the Board’s toll-free telephone number at 877-772-5772 (TTY 312-751-4701) for information about railroad pension benefits based on those earnings.