20 CFR § 218.2 - Definitions.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t20/s218.2"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "20 CFR § 218.2 - Definitions."
title_number: 20
title_name: "Employees' Benefits"
section_number: "218.2"
section_name: "Definitions."
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"
---


# 218.2 Definitions.

As used in this part:

*Applicant* means a person who signs an application for an annuity for himself, herself or for some other person.

*Application* means a form described in part 217 of this chapter.

*Award* means to process a form to make a payment.

*Claimant* means the person for whom an annuity application is filed.

*Filing date* means the date on which an application or written statement is filed with the Board.

*Tier I benefit* means the benefit calculated using the Social Security formulas and is based upon earnings, both in and outside the railroad industry.

*Tier II benefit* means the benefit calculated under a formula found in the Act and is based only upon railroad earnings.