---
kind: "section"
citation: "20 C.F.R. § 218.5"
title: "20"
number: "218.5"
heading: "General rules."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/20/218.5"
---

# §218.5. General rules.

- (a) An annuity begins either on the earliest date permitted by law, or on a specific date chosen by the applicant. If the applicant chooses a specific date, that date must not be before the earliest date permitted by law.
- (b) An annuity may not begin on the thirty-first day of a month, unless the claimant would lose benefits if the annuity begins on the first day of the following month. No annuity is payable for the thirty-first day of any month.

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 45 U.S.C. 231f(b)(5).

### Source

Source: 54 FR 30725, July 24, 1989, unless otherwise noted.