20 CFR § 216.53 - What is required for payment.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t20/s216.53"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "20 CFR § 216.53 - What is required for payment."
title_number: 20
title_name: "Employees' Benefits"
section_number: "216.53"
section_name: "What is required for payment."
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"
---


# 216.53 What is required for payment.

An eligible spouse or divorced spouse must:

(a) Apply to be entitled to an annuity; and

(b) Give up the right to return to work for a railroad employer.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 3220-0016 and 3220-0042)