An individual may meet the eligibility provisions for more than one annuity described in this part. The Railroad Retirement Act generally requires that the total amount of annuities otherwise independently payable to one individual must be reduced if that individual is entitled to multiple annuities. Entitlement as a survivor includes entitlement as a widow(er), surviving divorced spouse, remarried widow(er), child, or parent.

(a) General. If an individual is entitled to an annuity as a spouse, divorced spouse or survivor, and is also entitled to an employee annuity, then the spouse, divorced spouse or survivor annuity must be reduced by the amount of the employee annuity. However, this reduction does not apply (except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section) if the spouse, divorced spouse or survivor or the individual upon whose earnings record the spouse, divorced spouse or survivor annuity is based worked for a railroad employer or as an employee representative before January 1, 1975.

(b) Tier I reduction. If an individual is entitled to an annuity as a spouse, divorced spouse or survivor, and is also entitled to an employee annuity, then the tier I component of the spouse, divorced spouse or survivor annuity must be reduced by the amount of the tier I component of the employee annuity. Where the spouse or survivor is entitled to a tier II component, then a portion of this reduction may be restored in the computation of this component.

If an individual is entitled to both a spouse or divorced spouse and survivor annuity, only the larger annuity will be paid. However, if the individual so chooses, he or she can receive the smaller annuity rather than the larger annuity.

If an individual is entitled to more than one survivor annuity, only the larger annuity will be paid. However, if the individual so chooses, he or she can receive the smaller annuity rather than the larger annuity.

If an individual is entitled to more than one annuity as a divorced spouse, only the larger annuity will be paid. However, if the individual so chooses, he or she can receive the smaller annuity rather than the larger annuity.