RB-1D Employee Disability Benefits if you are applying for a disability annuity. You must file an Application AA-1 Application for Employee Annuity to receive railroad retirement benefits based on your age and service. When you file an application for an age and service annuity, you may select the day you want your annuity to begin.
Most applicants select the earliest date permitted by law.
This means the RRB will set your annuity beginning date as the very first day it could legally begin. If you choose to select a beginning date yourself, your annuity will begin on that date. However, the date you choose cannot be before the earliest date permitted by law. If items 1-3 above apply, you can file your age and service application up to three months before the earliest annuity beginning date permitted by law. Note that, if you delay filing for benefits, you may lose benefits for some or all of the period before the month in which you file.