20 CFR § 216.12 - When current connection is required.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t20/s216.12"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "20 CFR § 216.12 - When current connection is required."
title_number: 20
title_name: "Employees' Benefits"
section_number: "216.12"
section_name: "When current connection is required."
chapter_name: "RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD"
subchapter_number: "B"
subchapter_name: "REGULATIONS UNDER THE RAILROAD RETIREMENT ACT"
part_number: "216"
part_name: "ELIGIBILITY FOR AN ANNUITY"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "45 U.S.C. 231f."
regulatory_source: "56 FR 28692, June 24, 1991, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "216"
---


# 216.12 When current connection is required.

(a) A current connection is required to qualify an individual for the following types of railroad retirement benefits:

(1) An employee occupational disability annuity as described in subpart D of this part;

(2) A supplemental annuity as described in subpart E of this part;

(3) An employee vested dual benefit in certain cases;

(4) A survivor annuity as described in subparts G, H, and I of this part; and

(5) A lump-sum death payment as described in part 234 of this chapter.

(b) A current connection which was established when an employee's annuity began is effective for:

(1) Any annuity under this part for which the employee later becomes eligible; and

(2) Any survivor annuity under this part or a lump-sum death payment under part 234 of this chapter.