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7.3.1 Scope Of Chapter

This chapter explains the provisions for crediting SS wages under the RR Act and sets 

out the policies and procedures established by SSA and RRB for the coordination of 

earnings data.

7.3.2 RRB Request for SS E/R

SSA, upon request, will furnish RRB with reports of records of SS earnings. In 

computing under the O/M guaranty provision, RRB must know the amount of the 

annuitant's SS earnings and the rate of any SS benefit to which he is currently, or 

potentially entitled (benefit data requests are explained in Chapter 7.4). If RRB has 

jurisdiction of the survivor claim, RRB must know the deceased employee's SS earnings 

as survivor benefits are based on the combined earnings under both the RR Act and the 

SS Act.

7.3.3 Requesting SS E/R From The Claims Certification Section

Tape requests for wage records are initiated as follows:

A. Initial Employee Cases - Tape requests are automatically generated for all 

employee applications put on the computer. If, however, manual handling is 

required, release Form G-60 to initiate a tape request for SS earnings.

B. Initial Survivor Cases - A tape request for the SS earnings record of the 

deceased employee in an initial survivor claim is initiated by Form G-73a.

C. Post-Adjudicative Handling in Either an Employee or a Survivor Case - Initiate a 

tape request for SS earnings by means of Form G-60.

7.3.4 The Claims Certification Section Tape Request To SSA

Upon receipt of a request for an earnings certification in all initial cases, the Claims 

Certification Section will request SS E/R's if the employee has other than a railroad 

(700) series account number or if there is an "SS" indication on the records. Requests 

will not be initiated if there is no "SS" indication for a 700 series account number. 

However, all G-60 wage requests will be placed on the magnetic tape to SSA for a 

report of SS wages.

7.3.5 Processing At SSA

Upon receipt of an RRB request in Baltimore, SSA will verify the SS account number, 

and

• Earmark the SS-5, the master wage tape and the MBR (if any);
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• Extract prior claims indications, earnings and benefit data; and,

• Consolidate all data for transmission to RRB by magnetic tape over the SSA 

telecommunication system for printing on Form G-90.

• If data cannot be transmitted by magnetic tape because the account number cannot 

be found on the wage tape, Form SSA-794 will be prepared and released to the 

Claims Certification Section if there is an SS-5. If there is no SS-5 and no wage 

tape record (such as new account numbers) an SSA-794 will not be furnished.

7.3.15 Releasing Notice Of Jurisdiction

If RRB has jurisdiction of the survivor claim and the Claims Certification Section records 

indicate the deceased employee was receiving SS benefits, the Claims Certification 

Section will release a G-203, "Notice of RRB Jurisdiction" teletype to the appropriate 

SSA payment center. If there is no indication of an SS claim, but the SS E/R indicates 

prior claim action (Block 4J of the G-90), the Claims Certification Section will, likewise, 

release a G-203 teletype to the appropriate PC.

A message that a Form SSA-1233RR has been requested will be shown in the blank 

space between items 2L and 2M of Form G-90. The date of request will be the date 

shown in item 3F of Form G-90.

In any case in which the employee was entitled to an RIB or DIB and there is no 

indication that the Claims Certification Section has released a G-203 teletype before 

certifying the G-90, release a TT informing SSA of RRB jurisdiction and requesting 

SSA-1233RR (see Exhibits). If, however, the folder contains a Form SS-5 or OA-702, a 

TT for jurisdictional notification is not required.

7.3.16 SSA Processing Notice Of RRB Jurisdiction

A. PC - Upon receipt of RRB's notice, the PC completes Form SSA-1233RR, 

attaches any survivor claims material and forwards original and material to RRB. 

A copy of the SSA-1233RR is sent to the servicing DO.

If there is no claim folder, the PC will notify RRB by TT that it does not have any 

record of a claim folder. If the claim has been transferred to a different PC, the 

RRB notice will be forwarded to the appropriate PC with a TT notice of the 

referral to RRB.

B. DO - If the SSA-DO has a survivor claim pending or material of probative value, 

the DO will complete SSA-1233RR and attach it to the material for release to 

RRB. If there is no claim, the DO will notify RRB by TT of that fact.

If an RIB or DIB claim is pending, the DO will complete development and forward 

it to the PC or DDO with RRB notice of jurisdiction for completion of the SSA1233RR. If there is no survivor material to transfer, the DO will enter the date the 
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material was sent to the PC or DDO in "Remarks" of the SSA-1233RR and 

forward it to RRB as a status report.

7.3.17 G-90 Certified Without SSA-1233RR

In a case in which the G-90 has been certified without Form SSA-1233RR, examine the 

claim to determine if an award action (payment or denial) can be taken.

A. Take Immediate Award Action - Pay the claim, if in order, unless there is an 

indication that SSA will request RRB to recover an overpayment. (A claim may 

be denied, if appropriate, regardless of whether an SSA overpayment exists.) Do 

not hold a fully certified claim in dormant file awaiting the SSA-1233RR. (See 

sec. 7.3.18 for possible tracing action before taking award action.)

B. Withhold Award Action - Take no action to pay the case if the PC has notified us 

that they will request us to recover an O/P.

7.3.18 Tracing Form SSA-1233RR

Form SSA-1233RR is required in each case in which the employee was entitled to RSDI 

benefits during his life or in which SSA certified that prior claims action occurred during 

the employee's lifetime. In such a case, if the Claims Certification Section certified the 

employee's earnings on a G-90 without the SSA-1233RR, responsibility rests with 

Operations, Retirement Benefits Division or Survivor Benefits Division for tracing the 

SSA-1233RR and controlling the case until the form is received. Trace the SSA1233RR as follows:

A. First Tracing - Release a tracer TT, Form G-337c, to the appropriate SSA PC if 

the request for SSA-1233RR and survivor claims material, sent by either the 

Claims Certification Section or Operations, Retirement Benefits Division or 

Survivor Benefits Division, has been outstanding more than 30 days. Release 

the tracer TT to the PC having jurisdiction over the employee's SS account 

number even if RRB's first request was sent to an SSA DO; do not trace the DO.

B. Second Tracing - If a reply is not received within 30 days to the tracer TT 

released under ‘A’ above, request the RRB D/O in the city where the PC is 

located to contact that office and secure Form SSA-1233RR.

Release the appropriate tracer before taking award action under sec. 7.3.17A. 

Do not hold claims certified under sec. 7.3.17A in dormant files for the SSA1233RR; if such a claim later comes to your attention while the SSA-1233RR is 

still outstanding, take the appropriate tracing action as outline in A or B above. If 

sec. 7.3.17B is applicable, release the tracer and withhold award action until 

Form SSA-1233RR is received.
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7.3.19 Processing SSA-1233RR

SSA transcribes claims data to the form as follows:

A. SSA Application Filing Date - The filing date of an application for an RIB or DIB 

under the SS Act is shown. The SSA filing dates should have been considered 

in the O/M computations of the employee's PIA on the G-90. If the filing date 

was before the filing date at RRB, refer the G-90 back to the Claims Certification 

Section for consideration.

B. Adjusted SS Earnings and QC - The total annual SS earnings and total QC for 

each year that SSA's DO or PC developed additional SS earnings or deleted SS 

earnings certified by SSA will be shown. This certification will not include lag 

earnings. The G-90 should include these adjustments.

C. DF Period - The SSA-1233RR will indicate whether a DF period has been 

established and, if it has, the beginning and ending dates of the period will be 

shown. The DF period should have been considered in the O/M computations.

D. SSA Overpayment to be Recovered - The amount of O/P, if any, which SSA 

desires RRB to recover will be shown. If the "undetermined" box is checked, do 

not withhold payment action pending receipt of further information from SSA 

about the O/P (see section 7.3.21). 

7.3.20 COMBINING SS/RR Earnings Data

In survivor cases, the SS earnings received over the SSA telecommunications system 

are mechanically combined with RR compensation. Both RR Act and O/M 

computations are made in the Claims Certification Section and shown on Form G-90. 

The Claims Certification Section will complete G-90 and immediately forward that form 

with G-73a in any case in which a G-203 was not released. If the wage tape reply 

showed the employee filed a claim for SS Act benefits during his lifetime, the Claims 

Certification Section will hold the G-73a until a status report is received or until 30 days 

have elapsed after release of TT requesting the SSA-1233RR. If the form or status 

report is not received during the 30 days period, the G-90 is completed and forwarded 

to Operations, Retirement Benefits Division or Survivor Benefits Division without the 

SSA-1233RR.

A new certification of SS wages is required if there is an indication that all wages and/or 

SEI have not been included. If a new certification is required, release an amended G73a in accordance with the form instructions in Part 11.

7.3.21 Payments Made Under The SS Act

A. LSDP Under Pre-1950 SS Act Amendments - If the employee died before 1-1-47 

either partially or fully insured under the pre-1950 SS Act amendments based 
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solely on his SS earnings, determine whether SSA paid an LSDP deductible 

under the RR Act (see Chapter 5.7.160). In such cases, request the servicing 

payment center by TT to furnish information about any SSA death benefit 

payment. Deduct from any insurance annuity payable the amount of any such 

payment.

B. SSA-1233RR Notification of Erroneous Payment - Handle any requests for RRB 

recovery of an SS erroneous payment shown on SSA-1233RR in accordance 

with Chapter 6.6. If, however, SSA previously reported the amount of the 

overpayment as "Undetermined' and now requests recovery, handle as follows: 

• Recover from LSDP if it has not been paid. If the LSDP has been paid, inform 

SSA that recovery cannot be made.

• Recover from initial survivor annuity accrual if it has not been awarded. If 

suspension of benefits is necessary to affect recovery, release Form G-234a 

to the appropriate RRB D/O. If recovery is not protested, suspend and 

recover. If recovery is protested, notify SSA by special letter and attach a 

photocopy of the annuitant's objection statement.

7.3.22 SSA Claims Material

A. Reviewing Transferred Material - Verify the Claims Certification Section's 

determination of jurisdiction before separating and filing down any claims 

material received from SSA with From SSA-1233RR. Return any case in which 

there is no possibility of entitlement under the RR Act but in which there may be 

entitlement, either immediately or in the future, under the SS Act. SSA material 

should be returned in the same form in which it was received.

There have been cases in which SSA applications filed by auxiliary beneficiaries 

during the employee's lifetime have been forwarded to RRB without action having 

been taken on the application. Review the SSA material to make sure there are 

no claims filed by survivors which would permit SSA to pay benefits accrued 

during the employee's lifetime. If you find such a claim, refer the case to your 

supervisor for instructions on handling with SSA.

B. Retaining SSA Claims File Material - If claims file material has been forwarded by 

SSA to RRB on a loan basis and it is determined that RRB has jurisdiction of the 

case, dictate a letter to the originating SSA-PC. Explain the reason RRB has 

jurisdiction and inform them that survivor claims material is being retained. 

Return RIB and DIB claims material to the PC.

7.3.23 Transmitting File Material To SSA On Loan Basis

Upon request by SSA, any claims file material previously transferred by that agency to 

RRB may be returned on a loan basis. Transmit the material requested with a 
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transmittal letter which includes a request that the survivor claims material be returned 

promptly after it has served its purpose.

Attach to the transmittal letter the SSA letter or TT message requesting this material. 

When SSA telephones a request, be sure that the transmittal letter shows the specific

SSA unit, section, name, or designation to which the material should be delivered.

7.3.24 Form SSA-1233RR Received After Certification Of Payment

When the SSA-1233RR is received after payments have been certified, review the 

award, including the computation of the basic amount and the employee's PIA, to 

determine whether any adjustment of the award is necessary. If an adjustment 

involving the computation is required, request the Claims Certification Section to furnish 

an amended certification. Any adjustment must be made retroactive to the earliest 

beginning date of the insurance annuity.

7.3.30 Tape Requests And Replies

Each day SSA prepares a magnetic tape which includes all compensation requests 

received from SSA-DO's in which an RR notation appears on the SSA wage tape. 

RRB, the Claims Certification Section merges the SSA tape requests with other tape 

requests and processes them against the master compensation tape. A magnetic tape 

reply to SSA is produced for every SSA request. The reply contains one of the following 

indications:

A. RR Compensation Cannot Be Used for SS Purposes - No Compensation Record 

Furnished - In this category are all RIB requests concerning employees with 120 

or more months of S/S. Also in this category are cases in which a compensation 

record is not furnished by tape because a multiple or incorrect account number 

was furnished by SSA or an adjustment to the 1937-1946 period was made and 

SSA requires the breakdown.

B. RR Compensation Can Be Used for SS Purposes - Compensation Record 

Furnished - Included in this group are all RIB, DIB and survivor requests 

concerning employees with less than 120 months of S/S, no claim number, no 

GF indication, and alleged P/S on the SSA request together with S/S does not 

equal 120 or more months of service. Also included in the group for which a 

compensation record is furnished, but only for DF purposes, are all DIB requests 

concerning employees with 120 or more months of S/S; the tape shows "Medical 

Evidence Available" for these DIB cases if there is an RRB claim number.

C. RR Compensation Record Furnished But Jurisdictional Determination Pending - 

An RR-90 is produced for every case in this category.
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7.3.31 When RR E/R Not Requested In Death Cases

SSA will request RR E/R when their records or the DO's E/R request shows RR 

involvement unless SSA tape records indicate that RRB has jurisdiction. In the latter 

case, SSA forwards the OA-C790 (IDP) to the servicing DO with a route slip indicating 

"RRB Jurisdiction."

SSA will assume they have jurisdiction and not request the RR E/R if all of the following 

conditions are met:

• The WE is insured on SS earnings alone,

• The 1971 PIA is $145.60 or more based on SS earnings alone,

• The tape record does not contain an "RR annuitant" or "120 months of RR service"

indication, and

• The tape record indicates all RR employment was before 1951.

7.3.32 RR-90 Handling In The Claims Certification Section

The following types of cases are processed to a conclusion by the Claims Certification 

Section.

• Adjustments, corrections, multiple account number coordination and lag 

development of the E/R;

• Less than 120 months of S/S and P/S in an RRB claim folder or general file;

• Less than 120 months of S/S and verified plus claimed P/S;

• No CC in a case in which notice of the employee's death is received and no claim 

folder has been established;

• Operations, Retirement Benefits Division or Survivor Benefits Division has 

determined the case is SSA jurisdiction and requested transfer of the records after 

their action has been completed.

In a case in which the S/S plus verified and/or claimed P/S equals 120 months or more 

of RR service, and in a death case, a current connection is determined, the Claims 

Certification Section forwards the RR-90 and general file to Operations, Retirement 

Benefits Division or Survivor Benefits Division. If the SSA applicant claims a total of at 

least 120 months of railroad service, and part is P/S, SSA secures and sends RRB a 

completed G-108. The Claims Certification Section attached this form to the OA-C790 

and RR-90 they send to Operations, Retirement Benefits Division or Survivor Benefits 

Division. In each of these cases, handle as described in 7.3.33 below.
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7.3.33 RR-90 Attached To General File Folder

The Claims Certification Section will send an RR-90 to Operations, Retirement Benefits 

Division or Survivor Benefits Division to be completed for any employee for whom SSA 

is requesting the compensation record, and for whom a general file has been 

established, at least 120 months of RR service is claims but not verified, and, in a death 

case, a current connection has been determined. Upon receipt of such a case in 

Operations, Retirement Benefits Division or Survivor Benefits Division, develop any 

claimed prior service or military service. If 120 S/M are established, enter the notation 

"RR Compensation Cannot Be Used For SS Purposes" in Remarks, complete block 16 

and return to the Claims Certification Section. If 120 S/M cannot be established, 

complete block 16 and return to the Claims Certification Section.

If a life case, complete and place a G-79 in the general folder after describing the 

Retirement Benefits Division action taken. Return the folder to files.

In death case, prepare a G-35. If 120 S/M are developed, route the G-35 with the folder

to SCR-DEV to establish a claim folder. (Examiners in P&A may submit the G-35 

directly to the processing section, S&S, for establishment of a claim folder.) If 120 S/M 

cannot be established, complete and return the folder to files.

7.3.34 Commuted Value Annuity Before 10-30-51

The Claims Certification Section will prepare and send to Operations, Retirement 

Benefits Division or Survivor Benefits Division for completion, an RR-90 for RR earning 

requests initiated by SSA for cases in which a commuted value annuity based on less 

than 120 service months was awarded before 10-30-51. Complete the appropriate 

items on the RR-90 and return to the Claims Certification Section. Do not transfer any 

claims material to SSA. Claims material must be retained as justification for payment of 

the commuted value annuity.

7.3.35 RR-90 Checked "DIB"

RR compensation can be used by SSA to establish the QC requirements for a disability 

freeze, regardless of the employee's status under the RR Act. A disabled employee can 

also qualify for a DIB under the SS Act based in whole or in part on his RR 

compensation, provided he has performed less than 120 months of RR service.

In most cases, compensation credits will be certified to SSA via tape by the Claims 

Certification Section: If, however, a general file folder has been established and at least 

120 months of RR service is claimed, the Claims Certification Section will prepare an 

RR-90 and refer it to Operations, Retirement Benefits Division or Survivor Benefits 

Division. Develop claimed prior service. Upon completing all development, complete 

RR-90 and return to the Claims Certification Section. If 120 service months were 

established enter the notation, "RR Compensation Cannot Be Used for SS Purposes," 

in the Remarks section.
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7.3.36 RRB "A" Claim In "RIB" Cases

RI will receive claim folders when an RRB claim number has been established and the 

employee has been credited with 120 months of service. The RR-90 will have been 

released by the Claims Certification Section. Examine the folder and the G-79 and take 

any further action required in the case in the event the O/M is being paid or a spouse 

has been awarded reduced benefits because of her own RIB entitlement.

7.3.37 RR-90 Received In SSA Jurisdiction "A" Death Cases

If an RR-90 produced by the Claims Certification Section shows an "A" claim number, 

they will secure the folder and made a jurisdictional determination. If RRB jurisdiction is 

determined, they will notify SSA of their determination. If SSA jurisdiction is determined, 

or jurisdiction cannot be determined from the folder, the case will be routed to SI with 

the RR-90. The Claims Certification Section will maintain a control for the return of the 

RR-90. If the RR-90 is the first notice of death, the G-26 will be stamped "First Notice of 

Death."

Upon receipt in SI, determine agency jurisdiction as described in Chapter 7.1. 

Complete block 16 of the RR-90 and prepare a G-35 to show which agency holds 

jurisdiction. Route the RR-90 to the Claims Certification Section and take whatever 

action is required for the completion of the case handling.

7.3.38 Processing Form SSA-790RR

Form SSA-790RR serves as a supplement to the regular compensation certification, 

Form RR-90, and is used only when the SSA DO or PC needs specific information to 

make a finding.

Form SSA-791RR will be used by the DO or PC under the following circumstances:

• Determination of creditability of prior service is needed. (The D/O will attach a 

completed Form G-108.)

• Creditability of military service is in question. (The D/O will furnish pertinent 

information.)

• An 11/51 recalculation is required. (This is the only type initiated by the P/C.)

• Additional account numbers are developed by the D/O.

• The RR E/R is necessary to answer inquiry.

• RR service is alleged but SSA did not request RR E/R.

The Claims Certification Section will give the originating SSA office the information 

requested whenever possible. If a determination as to the creditability of prior service is 
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required, the form will be routed to Operations, Retirement Benefits Division or Survivor 

Benefits Division. In such a case, take the necessary action to determine jurisdiction 

and return the form to the originating SSA office.

Appendices

Appendix A - Combined Credit Cases

Forms SSA-794 - Earnings Record - PIA Determination

BLOCK 1 - ACCOUNT IDENTIFICATION

Title Explanation

Account Number The AN printed in this block is the AN shown on the E/R 

request. This is the "Active" AN.

Multiple AN's All other AN's are listed in this block. Only 4 AN's can be 

shown electronically. If there are more, an asterisk is shown 

following the last AN listed, and the additional AN's are 

clerically entered. When multiple AN's are involved, BDP 

combines electronically the QC and earnings data of the 

separate AN's on a "master" SSA-794 and shows EDP benefit 

and trial computations based on the combined earnings. 

SSA-794's for the individual AN's are not furnished.

Name REG - First six letters of the AN's surname are printed as 

listed on E/R request.

BDPA - First six letters of surname shown on BDP records if 

different from those on E/R request.

Sex REQ - The sex ("M" for males and "F" for females) is printed 

as shown on E/R request.

BDPA - The sex recorded on BDP's records will be shown if it 

is different from that listed on the E/R request, or the item is 

left blank or shown as "Unknown" on the E/R request.

Date of Birth REQ - The date entered here is the month, day and year of 

birth as shown on the E/R request. If there is a discrepancy 

between the DOB listed on BDP's records and the E/R 

request, a cautionary remark will be entered in item 8 of the 

E/R.
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BDPA - This block is completed only when the month and 

year of birth appearing on BDP's records are not in agreement 

with the month and year of birth as shown on the E/R request. 

When BDP records show that the DOB is established, an "X" 

is clerically entered in the column headed "P".

Established Disability 

Period

This section displays alerts concerning disability periods 

previously established and identified electronically by BDP. A 

description of the legends used can be found in the SSA 

Claims Manual, Section 4115.

LAG INFORMATION

Lag Info. Information listed in these columns represents lag information 

shown by an SSA DO on an E/R request. BDP considers all 

earnings listed in this space in connection with computations 

in blocks 4 and 5. If any of the data on the E/R request for a 

lag entry period is obviously incorrect, "EDITED" will appear in 

the "Amount Used" column. If the period alleged is prior to or 

later than the electronically determined lag period, the item(s) 

will be displayed with "PRELAG" or "POSTLG" in the 

applicable amount field.

Type The type of lag earnings involved is shown here and 

designated as follows:

1. AG - Agricultural Wages

2. DV - Annual Allegation (for closed year only)

3. ML - Military Wages

4. SE - Self-Employment

5. WG - Regular Wages

Period The quarter and year are entered for quarterly amounts and 

fiscal SEI and two zeroes and the last 2 digits of the year is 

entered for yearly amounts.

Amount Used Under this heading, the exact amount shown on the E/R 

request is printed, if the alleged lag is quarterly, SE or AG. If 

an entry of the same type of earnings for the period(s) in 

question has been posted to BDP's record, or maximum 

earnings are already posted, "None" is entered in this column. 
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When the lag amount is a yearly "WG" amount, the amount 

used (excess of alleged over posted amounts) is entered in 

this column. When less than the full amount shown on the E/R 

request is used, an asterisk is shown to the left of the amount. 

When a "DV" amount is listed, the amount shown on the E/R 

request is listed. If this amount is used in the computation, a 

notation will be shown to the left of the amount and a notation 

will be shown in block 9.

Mil Serv. The beginning and ending dates of each period of M/S shown 

on the E/R request is entered here. If the date is obviously 

incorrect, "EDITED" will appear in these columns. IF "PRF" or 

"PRC" codes are shown, BDP did not consider the dates 

preceding the codes.

PERTINENT DATES

Filing The month, day and year the current application was received 

(as entered on the E/R request) are shown here. If the date 

indicated is an impossible date, such as months shown as 

"13," or a date in the future "(current month) PR (year)" will be 

entered. The "current month" and "year" are the month and 

year BDP processes the request.

Death The date shown here is the month, day and year of death as 

shown on the E/R request and is used in the EDP process. If 

no date of death is shown or the year shown is impossible, 

BDP presumes death in the year of filing, or if there is no 

application date, the year the E/R request was initiated. When 

this occurs, "P" (presumed year of death) is entered.

Onset In disability cases, the month, day and year of onset are the 

same as shown on the E/R request. If no onset date is shown 

on the E/R request, or the date is impossible or unusable, 

e.g., the date is before 10-1-41 or after the current date, the 

onset date shown on the SSA-794 is an assumed date of 

onset based on an analysis of the earnings activity. If only the 

month and year of onset are listed on the E/R request, BDP 

will assume onset on the second day of the month. In these 

cases, "PO2" is entered in the "Day" column. These columns 

are left blank in RIB cases unless there is a disability freeze 

on records in BDP.

Elected The month and year of election are the same as shown on the 

E/R request. If lozenges are entered, instead of a month or 
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year, this indicates the month or year shown on the E/R 

request is an impossible one based on date of filing. If no 

month of election was shown on the E/R request, these 

columns are left blank and BDP uses a date of entitlement 

based on the WE's DB, date application received and date 

insured status is acquired.

BLOCK 2 - EARNINGS RECORD DATA

QUARTERS OF COVERAGE TESTS

Required QC Fully - The acquired QC's to be fully insured under the 1-for-4 

provision is shown in the "RSI" column in RSI claims. An 

entry in the "DIB" column will appear only if the fully insured 

status requirement exceeds the 20/40 requirement.

TR - If W/E is not fully insured but meets age requirement for 

transitional insured status, the required QC's are shown here.

SPEC 72 - If W/E is not fully insured but meets age 

requirements for the special age 72 payment, the required 

QC's are shown here.

HIB - If W/E is not fully insured but has attained age 72, the 

QC's needed to be insured for health benefits will appear.

NOTE: A mechanical entry in one of the above items does 

not by itself indicate that the W/E is not fully insured as 

occasionally electronic tests cannot determine the existence 

of fully insured status.

Has QC If the W/E is fully insured the number of QC's shown will be 

the actual QC's or simplified QC's plus actual post 1950 QC's 

(whichever is higher) to a maximum of 40. If uninsured the 

actual QC's will be shown here and the simplified count plus 

any actual post-1950 QC's will be shown in "Simp QC."

Simp QC The total number of QC's under the simplified method plus 

any actual post-1950 QC's are shown when the W/E is not 

insured under the regular or simplified methods. The total 

QC's shown could differ from the number shown in "Has 

QC's." An asterisk shown here indicates the W/E is fully 

insured under this method.

Max QC The maximum possible QC's the W/E could have will appear 

here if it is determined the W/E is not insured for any life, 
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survivor or health benefits and an exact count of QC's cannot 

be made mechanically.

(Currently Insured) A "Y" denoting yes is entered in life and 

death cases. An "N" denoting no is entered if the electronic 

analysis indicates W/E could not possibly be insured.

First Elig This entry indicates the period beyond which no retroactive 

payments can be made, and the year of eligibility in pre-1960 

method computations.

Disability Met 20/40 - A "yes" or "no" entry indicates whether 20/40 test is 

met.

Age 31 - A "yes" or "no" entry indicates whether age 31 test is 

met, if the 20/40 test was not met at onset.

Non Ex - A "yes" or "no" entry will appear on the 

corresponding test (20/40 or age 31) that was met. The entry 

indicates whether or not the test is met at the beginning of the 

waiting period.

QC AND EARNINGS TOTALS

Tot SE QC Total SEI QC's are shown without consideration as to whether 

there are also AG or wage QC's for the same year.

Tot AG QC Total agricultural QC's after 1954 are shown without 

consideration as to whether there are also SE or wage QC's 

for the same year.

Wage QC After 46 - The total QC's shown here does not reflect gift QC's 

lag QC's or M/S shown in Block 1. This sum is the highest 

possible wage QC total after 1946 which can be used without 

manually checking all QC's credited.

After 50 - The total QC's after 1950 are shown here.

Total Earnings After 

1936

All earnings posted after 1936 and usable lag amounts listed 

in "Lag Amount Used" of Block 1 are shown without regard to 

the maximums for these years. The gratuitous M/S credits for 

years 1940 through 1956 and after 1967 will be included in the 

total. The totals are reduced to the yearly maximum allowable 

totals for computations only.
RCM 7.3

RCM 7.3 Combined Credit Cases Revised Feb 19, 2014 Page 15 of 22

Total Earnings After 

1950

All earnings posted after 1950 and usable lag amounts listed 

in "Lag Amount Used" of Block 1 are shown without regard to 

the annual maximums for these years. The gratuitous M/S 

credits for years 1950 through 1956 and after 1967 will be 

included in the total.

Yearly Earnings Yearly earnings from 1937 to date from SSA and RRB records 

may be mechanically entered. SSA earnings from 1951 to 

date are always shown. Whenever a record of RRB earnings 

data is obtained, annual RR compensation (designated "RR" 

in year column), QC, and service month indication for years 

1947 to date is entered. SSA earnings data for the years 

1937-1950 period and RRB earnings data for the years 1937-

1946 period are shown when pertinent.

Solid lines separate yearly data and sufficient space is 

provided for the entry, when pertinent, of RRB's earnings data 

for each year. A heavier solid line separates the period when 

the maximum was $3,000, $3,600, $4,200, $4,800, $6,600, 

$7,800, $9,000, $10,800, or $12,000.

"U" Column The alphabetical characters shown indicate which years were 

actually used in the computation. The letter "H" designates 

each year used. A "free money" year is indicated by an "F" 

and each of the two lowest years by an "X".

"QC/SM" Column If an "RR" entry appears in the "YR" column, the number of 

compensation QC's and the number of service months, 

separated by a space, is shown. For SS earnings, a "C" 

represents a wage QC, an "A" represents an agricultural QC, 

an "M" for a military QC, a "G" for a gift QC, an "S" for a selfemployment QC. An "L" is shown for a QC established in a 

lag period. The lack of a QC is shown by an "N." If an 

asterisk or lozenge appears for any year after 1956, it 

indicates that earnings posted for a particular quarter may be 

less than $50.

"SE" Column The SEI QC's will be shown as an "0," "4," or "*." The asterisk 

indicates that the number of QC's is other than 0 or 4 and 

should be checked for that year.

"AG" Column The number of agricultural QC's will be shown.

"DMW" Column After 1956, deemed military wages may be included in the 

earnings column as part of the total earnings. The amount 

used in computing benefits for months prior to 1-1973 is 
RCM 7.3

RCM 7.3 Combined Credit Cases Revised Feb 19, 2014 Page 16 of 22

based on the quarter entries shown. A "1" (for $100), "2" (for 

$200), "3" (for $300), or "N" (for none) will appear in each 

position to represent the amount of deemed military wages in 

each quarter. The dollar amount for each quarter of deemed 

M/S after 1956 for claims electronically processed 1-1973 or 

later are based on allocating $300 per quarter (shown as "3"). 

If there were no military wages this column will be left blank.

BLOCK 3 - RRB INFO. 

Title Explanation

Name If the name on RRB 's records disagrees with the name on the 

E/R request, the first 10 letters of the surname of the WE as 

shown on RRB's record are printed.

DB The month and year of birth on RRB's records will be shown if 

it disagrees with the month and year of birth on the E/R 

request.

YLW The year the WE last worked in the RR industry appears here. 

In some cases the year 1946 appears if the WE last worked in 

one of the years prior to 1946.

1937 to Date The total service months (SM) and compensation from 1937 

through the last period for which compensation reports have 

been processed is entered.

1937 to 1946 The total SM and compensation for the 1937-1946 period is 

entered if an "X" has been entered in the "37TD OB" or "37-46 

OB" columns.

Gross Residual The figure entered is the gross residual based on the WE's 

compensation record.

INV An "X" appears in this space if BDP's summary record 

indicates the WE had RR employment after 1936, and one of 

the indication in the following four columns is not applicable.

120 An "X" appears in this space when BDP's summary record 

shows the WE has 120 months of RR service after 1936 but 

does not indicate he is an RRB annuitant. An "X" will also 

appear in this space when current information received from 

RRB shows the WE has 120 months of RR service.
RCM 7.3

RCM 7.3 Combined Credit Cases Revised Feb 19, 2014 Page 17 of 22

ANN An "X" appears in this space when BDP's summary records 

indicate the WE is an RRB annuitant.

RNEL An "X" appears in this space when BDP's summary record 

indicates that the residual has been paid by RRB but no 

election was made.

RELM "X" appears in this space when BDP's summary record or 

current information received from RRB indicates the residual 

has been paid by RRB and an election made.

RR-90 In some cases, BDP will obtain and attach an RR-90 to the 

SSA-794. For example, an RR-90 will be attached if "prior 

service" has been established. An "X" will be entered in this 

space if an RR-90 is attached.

RR JUR An "X" appears if RRB has jurisdiction of case.

37 TD OB An "X" appears if BDP and RRB DP&A records are out of 

balance.

37-46 OB An "X" appears if BDP and RRB-DP&A records are out of 

balance for the 1937 through 1946 period.

MED EV An "X" appears if RRB has advised "medical evidence" is 

available.

ALL PRE-51 An "X" appears if all RR service was prior to 1951.

RR SUR An "X" appears if RRB is paying a survivor benefit.

RR SPO An "X" appears if RRB is paying a spouse of an RR annuitant.

BLOCK 4 - BENEFIT COMPUTATIONS

Title Explanation

Type The abbreviated descriptive letters of selected EDP and trial 

clerical computation can be found in SSA Claims Manual, 

sections 4150.1 and 4150.2.

First Base Yr or SD The first calendar year in the computation base year (1960, 

1965, or 1967) is shown. If a pre-1960 method is used, the 

starting date is usually 12/36 or 12/50. If W/E attained age 22 
RCM 7.3

RCM 7.3 Combined Credit Cases Revised Feb 19, 2014 Page 18 of 22

after 1951 and the age 22 computation is selected, the 

starting date is the last month of the year of age 21.

Last Base Yr or CD The last calendar year in the computation base year (1960, 

1965 or 1967) is shown. If the pre-1960 method is used, the 

closing date is the first day of the year of the W/E's first 

eligibility, entitlement or death.

Dividend The total (maximum) creditable earnings in the computation 

years selected for the applicable computations are shown 

here.

Disability Base Years 

Excl Elapsed Period 

or DO Yrs

This column shows the years in a period of disability that are 

not counted as base years. If a 1960, 1965 or 1967 method is 

used the elapsed years will be shown. If a pre-1960 method 

is used the drop-out years are shown.

DM The applicable divisor months are shown here.

I/Y The exact number of increment years is shown for an old-start 

computation.

M/S Mos Incl The number of months of usable gratuitous M/S that are used 

in establishing the dividend is shown in this column.

PIA Retro - If the PIA applicable prior to 2/68 differs from the PIA 

effective in 2/68 the amount is listed here.

CURR - The currently effective PIA is shown. It is possible for 

more than one PIA to be shown. Code letters identify the 

period for which the PIA is applicable or the formula by which 

the PIA is computed: A - PIA's effective for monthly benefits 

payable prior to 1/70 and LSDP's only based on death prior to 

1-70; B - 3/74 (1973 amend. rate); C - Special Min PIA 3/74 

(1973 amend. rate); D - 6/74 (1973 amend. rate); E - 1/75 

(1973 amend. rate); F - Special Min. PIA eff. 1/75 (1973 

amend. rate); G - 1/70 (1967 amend. rate in effect before 

1969 amend. conversion); H - 1/70 (1969 amend. rate); J -

1/71 (1969 amend. rate in effect before 1971 amend. 

conversion); K - 1/71 (1971 amend. rate); L - 1/72 (1971 

amend. rate); M - 1/73 (1971 amend. rate in effect before 7/72 

amend. conversion); N - 1/73 (7/72 amend. rate in effect 

before 10/72 amend. conversion); P - 1/73 (10/72 amend. 

rate); R - Special Min. PIA 1/73 (10/72 amend. rate); S - 1/74 

(10/72 amend. rate); T - Special Min. PIA 1/74 (10/72 amend. 

rate); W - Special Min. 1/75 (10/72 amend. rate in effect 

before 1973 amend. conversion); X - 1/75 (10/72 amend. rate 
RCM 7.3

RCM 7.3 Combined Credit Cases Revised Feb 19, 2014 Page 19 of 22

in effect before 1973 amend. conversion); Z - 9/72 (1972 

amend. rate).

Lump Sum The amount of LSDP payable is shown in death cases.

RED/DRC Months If a reduction is applicable, the number of reduction months 

and the reduced benefit are shown. If a delayed retirement 

credit is applicable, the number of months used to compute 

the DRC will be shown.

Adjusted Benefits If applicable, this area will display the increased RIB under the 

DRC provision or reduced benefit amounts.

BLOCK 5 - BDPA EXAMINER

General This block shows the manual benefit computations made by 

SSA-BDP. In many instances manual computations are not 

required as the electronic calculations are the best possible 

computations.

BLOCK 6 - DO, PC, BDI

General If the DO or reviewing office finds it necessary to make 

additional or corrected PIA computation, all basic computation 

data is listed here.

BLOCK 7 - BDP&A SIGNALS

CA An "X" in this claims adjustment column indicates a previous 

claims adjustment action which may not have been offset by a 

regular posting.

ED An "X" in this earnings discrepancy column indicates there 

may be a pending earnings discrepancy in BDP.

X An "X" in this special symbol column indicates either (1) a 

credit item was processed for any year in the 1947-1954 

period, or (2) that there are earnings in excess of the 

maximum posted for a year prior to 1951 or a delinquent debit 

posting for a year prior to 1951, or (3) a debit or credit item 

applied for a year prior to 1953 and was processed in or after 

the first posting cycle of 1959.
RCM 7.3

RCM 7.3 Combined Credit Cases Revised Feb 19, 2014 Page 20 of 22

NIF/NYE An "X" appears in this column if the AN or one of multiple AN's 

has not yet been found on the summary earnings tape (not in 

file). A "Y" appears if the AN or one of multiple AN's has not 

yet been established on the summary earnings tape (not yet 

established).

CR IND An "X" appears in the "EN" column to indicate a credit in the 

total earnings account. An "X" appears in the "QC" column if 

any total of QC's is a credit total.

SE/AG/INV An "X" is entered if both SE and AG activity are involved on 

the E/R. The letter "S" appears if there is SE activity but no 

AG activity. The letter "A" appears if there is AG but no SE 

activity.

1085 An "X" in this column indicates an adjustment has been made 

on the earnings or QC totals on this E/R.

FB IND This space is used to indicate the extent to which detailed 

information from the SSA microfilm E/R is considered in the 

computations, QC pattern, etc. A "55" indicates that detailed 

information for the period 1937-1955 was considered and a 

"50" indicates detailed 1937-1950 information was considered.

BLOCK 8 - BDP CERTIFICATION

Type of Action Certified E/R's are identified as to whether they are retirement 

(RET), survivor (SUR), disability (DIB), or chronic renal 

disease (CRD) in this space. Uncertified and informational 

E/R's are identified as to the type by a stamp in block 8. The 

date the E/R is certified and the signature of the claims 

examiner appear in this block.

Entit. This block is divided into "MO" and "YR" columns to show the 

first month and year of entitlement in two-digit format. No 

entry will be made in this block unless an electronically 

produced computation is made.

BLOCK 9 - BDP, DO, PC OR BDI REMARKS

General Block 9 is used by BDP to alert the DO, BDI, and/or PC to the 

possible need for development in certain electronically 
RCM 7.3

RCM 7.3 Combined Credit Cases Revised Feb 19, 2014 Page 21 of 22

recognized situations and to call attention to certain facts. An 

explanation of the most frequently entered remarks appear in 

the SSA Claims Manual, Section 4175.

Block 10 is used by the DO or PC to enter pertinent information.