20 CFR § 218.8 - When an individual may change the annuity beginning date.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t20/s218.8"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "20 CFR § 218.8 - When an individual may change the annuity beginning date."
title_number: 20
title_name: "Employees' Benefits"
section_number: "218.8"
section_name: "When an individual may change the annuity beginning date."
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"
---


# 218.8 When an individual may change the annuity beginning date.

(a) *Before annuity is awarded.* A claimant may change the annuity beginning date if—

(1) The claimant requests the change in a signed statement; and

(2) The statement is received by the Board on or before the date of the claimant's death.

(b) *After annuity is awarded.* An award can be reopened to change the annuity beginning date to a later date if—

(1) The annuitant requests the change in a signed statement;

(2) The statement is received by the Board on or before the date of the annuitant's death;

(3) The annuitant shows that it is to his or her advantage to have a later annuity beginning date; and

(4) All payments made for the period before the later annuity beginning date are recovered by cash refund or setoff.