20 CFR § 218.13 - When a widow(er) annuity begins.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t20/s218.13"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "20 CFR § 218.13 - When a widow(er) annuity begins."
title_number: 20
title_name: "Employees' Benefits"
section_number: "218.13"
section_name: "When a widow(er) annuity begins."
chapter_name: "RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD"
subchapter_number: "B"
subchapter_name: "REGULATIONS UNDER THE RAILROAD RETIREMENT ACT"
part_number: "218"
part_name: "ANNUITY BEGINNING AND ENDING DATES"
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(b)(5)."
regulatory_source: "54 FR 30725, July 24, 1989, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "218"
---


# 218.13 When a widow(er) annuity begins.

(a) A widow(er) annuity begins on the later of either the date chosen by the applicant or the earliest date permitted by law.

(b) *Earliest date permitted by law*—(1) *Full-age annuity.* The earliest date permitted by law is the latest of—

(i) The first day of the month in which the employee dies;

(ii) The first day of the month in which the claimant attains full retirement age; or

(iii) The first day of the sixth month before the month in which the application is filed.

(2) *Reduced-age annuity*—(i) *Widow(er) age 60 through age 62.* The earliest date permitted by law is the latest of—

(A) The first day of the month in which the employee dies;

(B) The first day of the month in which the claimant attains age 60; or

(C) The first day of the sixth month before the month in which the application is filed.

(ii) *Widow(er) over age 62 but under full retirement age.* The earliest date permitted by law is the latest of—

(A) The first day of the month in which the employee dies;

(B) The first day of the month in which the claimant attains age 62 and one month; or

(C) The first day of the month in which the application is filed.

(3) *Disability annuity.* The earliest date permitted by law is the latest of—

(i) The first day of the month in which the employee dies;

(ii) The first day of the month in which the claimant attains age 50;

(iii) The first day of the twelfth month before the month in which the application is filed; or

(iv) The first day of the sixth month after the month of disability onset.

(4) *“Child in care” annuity.* The earliest date permitted by law is the latest of—

(i) The first day of the month in which the employee dies;

(ii) The first day of the month in which the claimant becomes eligible for a widow(er) annuity based on having a “child in care” as explained in part 216 of this chapter; or

(iii) The first day of the sixth month before the month in which the application is filed.

[54 FR 30725, July 24, 1989, as amended at 68 FR 39010, July 1, 2003]