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

# §231o. Private pensions


Nothing in this subchapter shall be taken as restricting or discouraging payment by [employers](/usc/45/231.md?p=a-1) to retired [employees](/usc/45/231.md?p=b-1) of pensions or gratuities in addition to the [annuities](/usc/45/231.md?p=p) paid to such [employees](/usc/45/231.md?p=b-1) under this subchapter, nor shall this subchapter be taken as terminating any trust heretofore created for the payment of such pensions or gratuities. The [annuity](/usc/45/231.md?p=p), except a supplemental [annuity](/usc/45/231.md?p=p) under [section 231a(b) of this title](/usc/45/231a.md?p=b), of an individual shall not be reduced on account of any pension or gratuity paid by an [employer](/usc/45/231.md?p=a-1) to such individual.


## Source credit

(Aug. 29, 1935, ch. 812, § 16, 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. 1349.)