---
kind: "section"
citation: "45 U.S.C. § 231e"
title: "45"
title_heading: "Railroads"
number: "231e"
heading: "Lump sum payments"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/45/231e"
units:
  - "Chapter 9 — Retirement of Railroad Employees"
  - "Subchapter IV — Railroad Retirement Act of 1974"
---

# §231e. Lump sum payments

- (a) **Eligible annuities; applications; reversion; determination of status of recipient—**
  - (1) [Annuities](/usc/45/231.md?p=p) under [section 231a(a)(1) of this title](/usc/45/231a.md?p=a-1) and supplemental [annuities](/usc/45/231.md?p=p) under [section 231a(b) of this title](/usc/45/231a.md?p=b) which will have become due an individual but will not have been paid at the time of such individual’s death shall be payable to the [person](/usc/45/231.md?p=l), if any, who is determined by the [Board](/usc/45/231.md?p=i) to be such individual’s widow or widower and to have been living with such individual at the time of such individual’s death and who will not have died before receiving payment of such [annuities](/usc/45/231.md?p=p). If there be no such widow or widower, such [annuities](/usc/45/231.md?p=p) shall be payable to any [person](/usc/45/231.md?p=l) or [persons](/usc/45/231.md?p=l), equitably entitled thereto, to the extent and in the proportions that he or they shall have paid the expenses of burial of such individual, and to the extent that he or they will not have been reimbursed under [subsection (b)](#b) of this section for having paid such expenses. If there be no [person](/usc/45/231.md?p=l) or [persons](/usc/45/231.md?p=l) so entitled, or if the total of such [annuities](/usc/45/231.md?p=p) exceeds the amount payable under this subdivision to such [person](/usc/45/231.md?p=l) or [persons](/usc/45/231.md?p=l), such total, or the remainder thereof, as the case may be, shall be paid to the children, grandchildren, parents, or brothers and sisters of the deceased individual in the same manner as if such [annuities](/usc/45/231.md?p=p) were a lump sum payable under [subsection (c)(1)](#c-1) of this section.
  - (2) [Annuities](/usc/45/231.md?p=p) under [section 231a(d) of this title](/usc/45/231a.md?p=d) which will have become due a survivor of an [employee](/usc/45/231.md?p=b-1) but will not have been paid at the time of such survivor’s death shall be payable to the [person](/usc/45/231.md?p=l), if any, who is determined by the [Board](/usc/45/231.md?p=i) to be such [employee](/usc/45/231.md?p=b-1)’s widow or widower and to have been living with such [employee](/usc/45/231.md?p=b-1) at the time of the [employee](/usc/45/231.md?p=b-1)’s death and who will not have died before receiving payment of such [annuities](/usc/45/231.md?p=p). If there be no such widow or widower, such [annuities](/usc/45/231.md?p=p) shall be payable to the children, grandchildren, parents, or brothers and sisters of the deceased [employee](/usc/45/231.md?p=b-1) in the same manner as if such unpaid [annuities](/usc/45/231.md?p=p) were a lump sum payable under [subsection (c)(1)](#c-1) of this section.
  - (3) [Annuities](/usc/45/231.md?p=p) under [section 231a(c) of this title](/usc/45/231a.md?p=c) which will have become due a spouse or divorced wife of an individual but which will not have been paid at the time of such spouse’s or divorced wife’s death shall be payable to the individual from whose [employment](/usc/45/231.md?p=o) such [annuities](/usc/45/231.md?p=p) derived and who will not have died before receiving payment of such [annuities](/usc/45/231.md?p=p). If there be no such individual, such [annuities](/usc/45/231.md?p=p) shall be paid as provided in the last two sentences of subdivision (1) of this subsection as if such [annuities](/usc/45/231.md?p=p) were [annuities](/usc/45/231.md?p=p) due to an individual but unpaid at the time of such individual’s death.
  - (4) Applications for accrued and unpaid [annuities](/usc/45/231.md?p=p) provided for in the preceding subdivisions of this subsection shall be filed prior to the expiration of two years after the death of the [person](/usc/45/231.md?p=l) to whom such [annuities](/usc/45/231.md?p=p) were originally due.
  - (5) If there is no [person](/usc/45/231.md?p=l) to whom all or any part of the payments described in subdivision (1), (2), or (3) can be made, such payment or part thereof shall escheat to the credit of the Railroad Retirement Account.
  - (6) For the purposes of this subsection and [subsection (c)](#c) of this section, a widow or widower of an individual shall be deemed to have been living with the individual at the time of the individual’s death if the applicable conditions set forth in section 216(h)(2) or (3) of the [Social Security Act](/usc/45/231.md?p=n) [[42 U.S.C. 416(h)(2)](/usc/42/416.md?p=h-2) or (3)], as in effect before 1957, are fulfilled.
  - (7) In determining for purposes of this subsection and subsections [(c)](#c) and [(d)](#d) of this section whether an applicant is the widow, widower, child, or parent of an [employee](/usc/45/231.md?p=b-1) as claimed, the rules set forth in section 216(h) of the [Social Security Act](/usc/45/231.md?p=n) [[42 U.S.C. 416(h)](/usc/42/416.md?p=h)] shall be applied. In determining for purposes of this subsection and subsections [(c)](#c) and [(d)](#d) of this section whether an applicant is the grandchild, brother, or sister of an [employee](/usc/45/231.md?p=b-1) as claimed, the [Board](/usc/45/231.md?p=i) shall apply such law as would be applied in determining the devolution of intestate personal property by the courts of the State in which such [employee](/usc/45/231.md?p=b-1) was domiciled at the time of his death, or if such [employee](/usc/45/231.md?p=b-1) was not so domiciled in any State by the courts of the District of Columbia. Applicants who according to such law would have the same status relative to taking personal property as a grandchild, brother, or sister shall be deemed such.
- (b) **Payments in accordance with Railroad Retirement Act of 1937 and Social Security Act—**
  - (1) Upon the death of an individual who will have completed ten [years of service](/usc/45/231.md?p=f-1) prior to January 1, 1975, and will have had a current connection with the railroad industry at the time of his death, a lump-sum payment shall be made in accordance with the provisions of section 5(f)(1) of the Railroad Retirement Act of 1937 [[45 U.S.C. 228e(f)(1)](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(/us/usc/t45/s228e/f/1))] as in effect on December 31, 1974, in an amount, if any, which would have been payable under such section on the basis of (A) the individual’s [compensation](/usc/45/231.md?p=h-1) after December 31, 1936, and prior to January 1, 1975, and (B) the individual’s wages (as defined in section 209 of the [Social Security Act](/usc/45/231.md?p=n) [[42 U.S.C. 409](/usc/42/409.md)]) prior to January 1, 1975. Any lump sum payable under this subdivision shall be in an amount computed as if the individual had died on January 1, 1975. No lump sum shall be payable under this subdivision if the [employee](/usc/45/231.md?p=b-1) died leaving a surviving divorced wife who would on proper application therefore be entitled to receive an [annuity](/usc/45/231.md?p=p) under [section 231a(d) of this title](/usc/45/231a.md?p=d) for the month in which the [employee](/usc/45/231.md?p=b-1)’s death occurred.
  - (2) Upon the death of an individual who will not have completed ten [years of service](/usc/45/231.md?p=f-1) prior to January 1, 1975, but who (i) will have completed ten [years of service](/usc/45/231.md?p=f-1) (or five or more [years of service](/usc/45/231.md?p=f-1), all of which accrues after December 31, 1995) at the time of his death, (ii) will have had a current connection with the railroad industry at the time of his death, and (iii) will have died leaving no widow, surviving divorced wife, widower, child, or parent who would on proper application therefor be entitled to receive an [annuity](/usc/45/231.md?p=p) under [section 231a(d) of this title](/usc/45/231a.md?p=d) for the month in which such death occurred, a lump-sum death payment shall be made in accordance with the provisions of section 202(i) of the [Social Security Act](/usc/45/231.md?p=n) [[42 U.S.C. 402(i)](/usc/42/402.md?p=i)] in an amount equal to the amount which would have been payable under such [section 202(i)](/usc/42/202.md) if such individual’s service as an [employee](/usc/45/231.md?p=b-1) after December 31, 1936, were included in the term “[employment](/usc/45/231.md?p=o)” as defined in that Act. If a lump sum would be payable to a widow or widower under this subdivision except for the fact that a survivor will have been entitled to receive an [annuity](/usc/45/231.md?p=p) for the month in which the individual will have died, but within one year after the individual’s death there will not have accrued to survivors of the individual, by reason of his death, [annuities](/usc/45/231.md?p=p) which, after all deductions pursuant to section [231a(g)](/usc/45/231a.md?p=g) and [231a(h)](/usc/45/231a.md?p=h) of this title, are equal to such lump sum, a payment equal to the amount by which such lump sum exceeds such [annuities](/usc/45/231.md?p=p) so accrued after such deductions shall then nevertheless be made under this subdivision to the widow or widower to whom a lump sum would have been payable under this subdivision except for the fact that a monthly benefit under [section 231a(d) of this title](/usc/45/231a.md?p=d) was payable for the month in which the individual died, if such widow or widower will not have died before receiving payment of such lump sum.
- (c) **Payments in the absence of further benefits—**
  - (1) Whenever it shall appear, with respect to the death of an [employee](/usc/45/231.md?p=b-1), that no benefits, or no further benefits (other than benefits payable to a widow, widower, or parent under either this subchapter or the [Social Security Act](/usc/45/231.md?p=n) [[42 U.S.C. 301](/usc/42/301.md) et seq.] upon attaining the age of eligibility therefor at a future date) will be payable under this subchapter or under the [Social Security Act](/usc/45/231.md?p=n), a lump sum in an amount computed under subdivision (2) of this subsection shall be paid to such [person](/usc/45/231.md?p=l) or [persons](/usc/45/231.md?p=l) as the deceased [employee](/usc/45/231.md?p=b-1) may have designated by a writing filed with the [Board](/usc/45/231.md?p=i) prior to his or her death, or if there be no designation, to the following [person](/usc/45/231.md?p=l) (or, if more than one, in equal shares to the [persons](/usc/45/231.md?p=l)) whose relationship to the deceased [employee](/usc/45/231.md?p=b-1) will have been determined by the [Board](/usc/45/231.md?p=i) and who will not have died before receiving payment of the lump sum provided for in this subdivision—
    - (i) the widow or widower of the deceased [employee](/usc/45/231.md?p=b-1) who was living with such [employee](/usc/45/231.md?p=b-1) at the time of such [employee](/usc/45/231.md?p=b-1)’s death; or
    - (ii) if there be no such widow or widower, to any child or children of such [employee](/usc/45/231.md?p=b-1); or
    - (iii) if there be no such widow, widower, or child, to any grandchild or grandchildren of such [employee](/usc/45/231.md?p=b-1); or
    - (iv) if there be no such widow, widower, child, or grandchild, to any parent or parents of such [employee](/usc/45/231.md?p=b-1); or
    - (v) if there be no such widow, widower, child, grandchild, or parent, to any brother or sister of such [employee](/usc/45/231.md?p=b-1); or
    - (vi) if there be no such widow, widower, child, grandchild, parent, brother, or sister, to the estate of such [employee](/usc/45/231.md?p=b-1):
  - (2) The lump sum provided under subdivision (1) of this subsection shall be in an amount equal to (A) the sum of 4 per centum of the deceased [employee](/usc/45/231.md?p=b-1)’s [compensation](/usc/45/231.md?p=h-1) paid after December 31, 1936, and prior to January 1, 1947, plus 7 per centum of such [employee](/usc/45/231.md?p=b-1)’s [compensation](/usc/45/231.md?p=h-1) paid after December 31, 1946, and before January 1, 1959, plus 7½ per centum of such [employee](/usc/45/231.md?p=b-1)’s [compensation](/usc/45/231.md?p=h-1) paid after December 31, 1958, and before January 1, 1962, plus 8 per centum of such [employee](/usc/45/231.md?p=b-1)’s [compensation](/usc/45/231.md?p=h-1) paid after December 31, 1961, and before January 1, 1966, plus an amount equal to the total of all [employee](/usc/45/231.md?p=b-1) taxes payable by such [employee](/usc/45/231.md?p=b-1) after December 31, 1965, and before January 1, 1975, under the provisions of section 3201 of the Railroad Retirement Tax Act [[26 U.S.C. 3201](/usc/26/3201.md)] (excluding, for this purpose, the amount of the [employee](/usc/45/231.md?p=b-1) tax attributable to that portion of the tax rate derived from section 3101(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [[26 U.S.C. 3101(b)](/usc/26/3101.md?p=b)]), plus one-half of 1 per centum of the [compensation](/usc/45/231.md?p=h-1) on which such taxes were payable, deeming the [compensation](/usc/45/231.md?p=h-1) attributable to creditable military service after June 30, 1963, and before January 1, 1975, to be taxable [compensation](/usc/45/231.md?p=h-1), and one-half of the taxes payable by an [employee representative](/usc/45/231.md?p=c) under section 3211 of the Railroad Retirement Tax Act [[26 U.S.C. 3211](/usc/26/3211.md)] to be [employee](/usc/45/231.md?p=b-1) taxes under [section 3201](/usc/26/3201.md) of such Act, minus (B) the sum of all benefits paid to such [employee](/usc/45/231.md?p=b-1), and to others deriving from such [employee](/usc/45/231.md?p=b-1), during his or her life, or to others by reason of his or her death, under this subchapter, the Railroad Retirement Act of 1937 [[45 U.S.C. 228a](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(/us/usc/t45/s228a)) et seq.], or the [Social Security Act](/usc/45/231.md?p=n) [[42 U.S.C. 301](/usc/42/301.md) et seq.] (excluding, for this purpose, payments to providers of services under [section 231f(d) of this title](/usc/45/231f.md?p=d) or section 21 of the Railroad Retirement Act of 1937 [[45 U.S.C. 228s–2](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(/us/usc/t45/s228s–2))], any supplemental [annuity](/usc/45/231.md?p=p) payments made to the [employee](/usc/45/231.md?p=b-1) under [section 231a(b) of this title](/usc/45/231a.md?p=b) or section 3(j) of the Railroad Retirement Act of 1937 [[45 U.S.C. 228c(j)](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(/us/usc/t45/s228c/j))], any amounts by which that portion of the [annuities](/usc/45/231.md?p=p) provided the [employee](/usc/45/231.md?p=b-1) under [section 231b(a) of this title](/usc/45/231b.md?p=a) or his spouse or divorced wife under [section 231c(a) of this title](/usc/45/231c.md?p=a) were increased by reason of the [employee](/usc/45/231.md?p=b-1)’s wages and self-[employment](/usc/45/231.md?p=o) income derived from [employment](/usc/45/231.md?p=o) and self-[employment](/usc/45/231.md?p=o) under the [Social Security Act](/usc/45/231.md?p=n), that portion of the [annuities](/usc/45/231.md?p=p) provided the [employee](/usc/45/231.md?p=b-1) under [section 231b(h) of this title](/usc/45/231b.md?p=h) or his spouse under [section 231c(e) of this title](/usc/45/231c.md?p=e), and so much of the benefits paid to the [employee](/usc/45/231.md?p=b-1) and to others deriving from him or her under the [Social Security Act](/usc/45/231.md?p=n) during his or her lifetime as would have been payable under that Act if such [employee](/usc/45/231.md?p=b-1) had not rendered service as an [employee](/usc/45/231.md?p=b-1) as defined in [section 231(b) of this title](/usc/45/231.md?p=b)). In computing [compensation](/usc/45/231.md?p=h-1) for purposes of this subdivision there shall be excluded [compensation](/usc/45/231.md?p=h-1) in excess of $300 for any month before July 1, 1954; [compensation](/usc/45/231.md?p=h-1) in excess of $350 for any month after June 30, 1954, and before June 1, 1959; [compensation](/usc/45/231.md?p=h-1) in excess of $400 for any month after May 31, 1959, and before November 1, 1963; [compensation](/usc/45/231.md?p=h-1) in excess of $450 for any month after October 31, 1963, and before October 1, 1965; and [compensation](/usc/45/231.md?p=h-1) in excess of (i) $450 or (ii) an amount equal to one-twelfth of the current maximum annual taxable “wages” as defined in section 3121 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [[26 U.S.C. 3121](/usc/26/3121.md)], whichever is greater, for any month after September 30, 1965.
  - (3) Notwithstanding the last sentence of [paragraph (1)](#c-1), benefits shall be paid to a survivor who—
    - (A) is a divorced wife; and
    - (B) through administrative error received benefits otherwise precluded by the making of a lump sum payment under this section to a widow;

    if that divorced wife makes an election to repay to the [Board](/usc/45/231.md?p=i) the lump sum payment. The [Board](/usc/45/231.md?p=i) may withhold up to 10 percent of each benefit amount paid after October 21, 1998, toward such reimbursement. The [Board](/usc/45/231.md?p=i) may waive such repayment to the extent the [Board](/usc/45/231.md?p=i) determines it would cause an unjust financial hardship for the beneficiary.

- (d) **Payments to recipients ineligible for certain other annuities—**
  - (1) Every individual who will have completed ten [years of service](/usc/45/231.md?p=f-1) at the time of his retirement or death, but does not meet the qualifications for an [annuity](/usc/45/231.md?p=p) amount determined under the provisions of section [231b(h)(1)](/usc/45/231b.md?p=h-1) or [231b(h)(2)](/usc/45/231b.md?p=h-2) of this title, shall, at the time his [annuity](/usc/45/231.md?p=p) under [section 231a(a)(1) of this title](/usc/45/231a.md?p=a-1) begins to accrue, be entitled to a lump sum in the amount provided under subdivision (2) of this subsection. If an individual otherwise eligible for a lump sum under this section dies before he becomes entitled to an [annuity](/usc/45/231.md?p=p) under [section 231a(a)(1) of this title](/usc/45/231a.md?p=a-1), or before he receives payment of such lump sum, such lump sum shall be payable to the [person](/usc/45/231.md?p=l), if any, who is determined by the [Board](/usc/45/231.md?p=i) to be such individual’s widow or widower and who will not have died before receiving payment of such lump sum. If there be no such widow or widower, such lump sum shall be payable to the children, grandchildren, parents, brothers and sisters, or the estate of the deceased individual in the same manner as if such lump sum were a lump sum payable under [subsection (c)(1)](#c-1) of this section.
  - (2) The lump sum provided under subdivision (1) of this subsection shall be in an amount equal to the sum of (A) 1.5 per centum of so much of such individual’s combined earnings for any calendar year after 1950 and before 1954 as is in excess of $3,600, plus (B) 2 per centum of so much of such individual’s combined earnings for any calendar year after 1953 and before 1957 as is in excess of $4,200, plus (C) 2.25 per centum of so much of such individual’s combined earnings for any calendar year after 1956 and before 1959 as is in excess of $4,200, plus (D) 2.5 per centum of so much of such individual’s combined earnings for the calendar year 1959 as is in excess of $4,800, plus (E) 3 per centum of so much of such individual’s combined earnings for each of the calendar years 1960 and 1961 as is in excess of $4,800, plus (F) 3.125 per centum of so much of such individual’s combined earnings for the calendar year 1962 as is in excess of $4,800, plus (G) 3.625 per centum of so much of such individual’s combined earnings for any calendar year after 1962 and before 1966 as is in excess of $5,400, plus (H) 4.2 per centum of so much of such individual’s combined earnings for the calendar year 1966 as is in excess of $6,600, plus (I) 4.4 per centum of so much of such individual’s combined earnings for the calendar year 1967 as is in excess of $6,600, plus (J) 3.8 per centum of so much of such individual’s combined earnings for the calendar year 1968 as is in excess of $7,800, plus (K) 4.2 per centum of so much of such individual’s combined earnings for each of the calendar years 1969 and 1970 as is in excess of $7,800, plus (L) 4.6 per centum of so much of such individual’s combined earnings for the calendar year 1971 as is in excess of $7,800, plus (M) 4.6 per centum of so much of such individual’s combined earnings for the calendar year 1972 as is in excess of $9,000, plus (N) 4.85 per centum of so much of such individual’s combined earnings for the calendar year 1973 as is in excess of $10,800, plus (O) 4.95 per centum of so much of such individual’s combined earnings for the calendar year 1974 as is in excess of $13,200. For purposes of this subsection, the term “combined earnings” shall include “[compensation](/usc/45/231.md?p=h-1)” as defined in section 1(h) of the Railroad Retirement Act of 1937 [[45 U.S.C. 228a(h)](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(/us/usc/t45/s228a/h))], “wages” as defined in section 209 of the [Social Security Act](/usc/45/231.md?p=n) [[42 U.S.C. 409](/usc/42/409.md)], and “self-[employment](/usc/45/231.md?p=o)” income as defined in section 211(b) of the [Social Security Act](/usc/45/231.md?p=n) [[42 U.S.C. 411(b)](/usc/42/411.md?p=b)].
- (e) **Additional lump sum payment in certain cases—**
  - (1) Every individual who will have completed ten [years of service](/usc/45/231.md?p=f-1) (or five or more [years of service](/usc/45/231.md?p=f-1), all of which accrues after December 31, 1995) at the time of his retirement or death, who will have received [compensation](/usc/45/231.md?p=h-1) in the nature of separation or severance pay on or after January 1, 1985, and who would have been credited with additional months of service pursuant to [section 231b(i)(4) of this title](/usc/45/231b.md?p=i-4) except for the fact that such individual was not in an [employment](/usc/45/231.md?p=o) relation to one or more [employers](/usc/45/231.md?p=a-1) nor an [employee representative](/usc/45/231.md?p=c) in such months, shall, at the time his [annuity](/usc/45/231.md?p=p) under [section 231a(a)(1) of this title](/usc/45/231a.md?p=a-1) begins to accrue, be entitled to a lump sum in the amount provided under subdivision (2) of this subsection. If the full amount of a lump sum under this subsection cannot be determined at the time an individual’s [annuity](/usc/45/231.md?p=p) under [section 231a(a)(1) of this title](/usc/45/231a.md?p=a-1) begins to accrue, such lump sum shall be payable at such time thereafter as such amount can be determined. If an individual otherwise eligible for a lump sum under this section dies before he becomes entitled to an [annuity](/usc/45/231.md?p=p) under [section 231a(a)(1) of this title](/usc/45/231a.md?p=a-1), or before he receives payment of such lump sum, such lump sum shall be payable to the [person](/usc/45/231.md?p=l), if any, who is determined by the [Board](/usc/45/231.md?p=i) to be such individual’s widow or widower and who will not have died before receiving payment of such lump sum. If there be no such widow or widower, such lump sum shall be payable to the children, grandchildren, parents, brothers and sisters, or the estate of the deceased individual in the same manner as if such lump sum were a lump sum payable under [subsection (c)(1)](#c-1) of this section.
  - (2) The lump sum provided under subdivision (l)[^1] of this subsection shall be in an amount equal to the product of (A) the [compensation](/usc/45/231.md?p=h-1) attributable to the additional months of service which would have been credited to the individual due to the receipt of payments in the nature of separation or severance pay pursuant to [section 231b(i)(4) of this title](/usc/45/231b.md?p=i-4) if such individual had remained in an [employment](/usc/45/231.md?p=o) relation to one or more [employers](/usc/45/231.md?p=a-1) or had continued to be an [employee representative](/usc/45/231.md?p=c) and (B) the rate of tax, or rates of tax, imposed on the [compensation](/usc/45/231.md?p=h-1) described in clause (A) of this subdivision by section 3201(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [[26 U.S.C. 3201(b)](/usc/26/3201.md?p=b)].

## Footnotes

[^1]: So in original. Probably should be subdivision “(1)”.

## Source credit

(Aug. 29, 1935, ch. 812, § 6, as restated June 24, 1937, ch. 382, pt. I, 50 Stat. 307, as restated Pub. L. 93–445, title I, § 101, Oct. 16, 1974, 88 Stat. 1334; amended Pub. L. 97–35, title XI, § 1121, Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 637; Pub. L. 98–76, title IV, § 408, Aug. 12, 1983, 97 Stat. 435; Pub. L. 99–514, § 2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095; Pub. L. 100–647, title VII, § 7301, Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3776; Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, § 101(f) [title VII, § 709(a)], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–337, 2681–391; Pub. L. 107–90, title I, § 103(i)(1), (4), Dec. 21, 2001, 115 Stat. 882.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The Social Security Act, referred to in subsec. (c), is act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, 49 Stat. 620, as amended, which is classified generally to chapter 7 (§ 301 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. Title II of the Social Security Act is classified generally to subchapter II (§ 401 et seq.) of chapter 7 of Title 42. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 1305 of Title 42 and Tables.

The Railroad Retirement Act of 1937, referred to in subsec. (c)(2), is act Aug. 29, 1935, ch. 812, 49 Stat. 867, as amended generally by act June 24, 1937, ch. 382, part I, 50 Stat. 307, which was classified principally to subchapter III (§ 228a et seq.) of this chapter. The Railroad Retirement Act of 1937 was amended generally and redesignated the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 by Pub. L. 93–445, title I, Oct. 16, 1974, 88 Stat. 1305. The Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 is classified generally to this subchapter. For complete classification of these Acts to the Code, see Tables.

Sections 1, 3, 5, and 21 of the Railroad Retirement Act of 1937, referred to in subsecs. (b)(1), (c)(2), and (d)(2), which were classified to sections 228a, 228c, 228e, and 228s–2 of this title, have been omitted from the Code.

### Amendments

2001—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 107–90, § 103(i)(4), inserted “(or five or more years of service, all of which accrues after December 31, 1995)” after “but who (i) will have completed ten years of service”.

Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 107–90, § 103(i)(1), inserted “(or five or more years of service, all of which accrues after December 31, 1995)” after “ten years of service”.

1998—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 105–277, § 101(f) [title VII, § 709(a)(1)], inserted “(other than to a survivor in the circumstances described in paragraph (3))” after “no further benefits shall be paid” in last sentence.

Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 105–277, § 101(f) [title VII, § 709(a)(2)], added par. (3).

1988—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 100–647 added subsec. (e).

1986—Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 99–514 substituted “Internal Revenue Code of 1986” for “Internal Revenue Code of 1954” wherever appearing.

1983—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 98–76 inserted provision that no lump sum shall be payable under this subdivision if employee died leaving a surviving divorced wife who would on proper application therefore be entitled to receive an annuity under section 231a(d) of this title for month in which employee’s death occurred.

1981—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub L. 97–35, § 1121(a), substituted “spouse or divorced wife of an individual but which will not have been paid at the time of such spouse’s or divorced wife’s death” for “spouse of an individual but which will not have been paid at the time of such spouse’s death”.

Subsec. (b)(2)(iii). Pub. L. 97–35, § 1121(b), substituted “widow, surviving divorced wife,” for “widow,”.

Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 97–35, § 1121(c)(1), inserted provision that after a lump sum with respect to the death of an employee is paid pursuant to an election filed with the Board under the provisions of this subsection, no further benefits shall be paid under this subchapter or the Social Security Act on the basis of such employee’s compensation and service under this subchapter, except that nothing in this subchapter or the Social Security Act shall operate to deprive a widow, widower, or parent making such election of any insurance benefit under title II of the Social Security Act to which such individual would have been entitled if the employee had not rendered service as an employee under this subchapter.

Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 97–35, § 1121(c)(3), substituted “spouse or divorced wife” for “spouse”.

Pub. L. 97–35, § 1121(c)(2), substituted “any supplemental annuity payments made to the employee under section 231a(b) of this title or section 3(j) of the Railroad Retirement Act of 1937, any amounts” for “any amounts”.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2001 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 107–90 effective Jan. 1, 2002, see section 103(j) of Pub. L. 107–90, set out as a note under section 405 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.

### Effective Date of 1998 Amendment

Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, § 101(f) [title VII, § 709(b)], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–337, 2681–391, provided that: “The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall apply with respect to any benefits paid before the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 21, 1998] as well as to benefits payable on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.”

### Effective Date of 1981 Amendment

Amendment by section 1121(c)(1), (2) of Pub. L. 97–35 effective Jan 1, 1975, and amendment by other provisions of section 1121 of Pub. L. 97–35, effective Oct. 1, 1981, and applicable only with respect to annuities awarded on or after Oct. 1, 1981, see section 1129 of Pub. L. 97–35, set out as a note under section 231 of this title.