Railroad Tier I already incorporates all career earnings, so Social Security reduces Tier I dollar for dollar, leaving total retirement income unchanged.
Tier II, based solely on railroad service, is never reduced by Social Security and functions as a true additional pension on top.
Split-career workers should request a detailed RRB estimate showing gross Tier I, the Social Security offset, and Tier II before choosing filing dates.
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Picture a freight-rail diesel mechanic who spent 20 years turning wrenches on locomotives, then took a job at a manufacturing plant for the next 20. Two careers, two contribution histories, two federal retirement systems paid into. On paper, it looks like a windfall: a Railroad Retirement annuity and a Social Security benefit, both legitimately earned. Then the numbers arrive, and Social Security appears to erase most of one part of the railroad benefit.

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