POMS Reference

RS 01601: SSA and RRB Interrelationship and The RR Act

TN 6 (05-02)

A. INTRODUCTION

The lump sum is payable to survivors of an employee with 10 or more years of RR service and a current connection or 5 or more years of RR service after 1995 and a current connection with the RR industry (RRB jurisdiction) if there is no one in the family eligible for an annuity in the month of death.

B. POLICY - WHO MAY RECEIVE THE LUMP SUM

The lump sum is payable to the:

  1. Widow(er) living with or supported by the worker at the time of death; or

  2. Funeral home or the person who paid the funeral expenses up to the actual cost, if the worker had 10 years of RR service prior to 1975, and was not survived by a qualified widow (er). If the worker first acquired 10 years of RR service after 1974, the lump sum is payable only to the widow (er) living with or supported by the worker at the time of death.

C. POLICY - LUMP SUM PAYABLE

The lump sum payable is:

  1. Up to $1,200 to the survivors of employees with 10 years of service before 01/01/75.

  2. A maximum of $255 to the survivors of workers who first completed 10 years of service after 1974.

D. POLICY - EFFECT ON SS BENEFITS

Payment of the RR lump sum bars entitlement to the SS LSDP and monthly SS survivor's benefits because RRB must take jurisdiction of the survivor claim in order to pay the lump sum.