Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I learn more about Railroad Retirement Benefits?
- How do I set up direct deposit for my pension check?
- How do I change my Federal Income Tax Withholding from my pension check?
- Where do I get a retirement application?
- How do I report the death of an employee or retiree?
- Where can I get sample wording for a qualified domestic relations order?
- When should I apply?
- Will I need to send anything with the application?
- When am I eligible for early retirement?
- Will my retirement benefits be reduced if I retire early?
- Will I be eligible for medical coverage after I retire?
- Will I be eligible for dental coverage after I retire?
- What do I need to consider if I leave exempt employment before age 55?
- Am I eligible for a lump sum distribution if I am vested in the Retirement Plan and leave BNSF before age 55?
- I was a salaried employee and a participant in the BNI Plan as of Dec. 31, 1988; how does this affect my ability to take a lump sum pension benefit?
- I am retired. How do I change my address?
- My divorce decree stipulates that my ex-spouse is entitled to a portion of my pension, what do I need to do?
- How do I get my domestic relations order qualified?
- If I have questions that are not answered here or want more detailed information, where can I get it?
How do I learn more about Railroad Retirement Benefits?
Visit the Railroad Retirement Board website.
How do I set up direct deposit for my pension check?
Contact the Retirement Team at 877-451-2363. Please be sure to have the retiree's Social Security number available.
How do I change my Federal Income Tax Withholding from my pension check?
Contact the Retirement Team at 877-451-2363. Please be sure to have the retiree's Social Security number available.
Where do I get a retirement application?
Contact the Retirement Team at 877-451-2363. Please be sure to have the retiree's Social Security number available.
How do I report the death of an employee or retiree?
Contact the Retirement Team at 877-451-2363. Please be sure to have the retiree's Social Security number available.
Where can I get sample wording for a qualified domestic relations order?
Contact the Retirement Team at 877-451-2363. Please be sure to have the retiree's Social Security number available.
When should I apply?
Signed retirement applications should be submitted no sooner than 90 days before the date you want your retirement to commence.
Will I need to send anything with the application?
Yes, you will need to provide a proof of age document with your application. Examples of acceptable documents are:
- Photocopy of an official birth certificate
- Photocopy of valid driver's license (with the DOB clearly legible)
- Photocopy of a proof of age document for your spouse (above)
- Photocopy of your marriage certificate or license
When am I eligible for early retirement?
You may commence your early retirement benefits on the first day of the month following your 55th birthday, if you have at least 10 years of vesting service.
Will my retirement benefits be reduced if I retire early?
Yes. If you choose to commence benefits before your normal retirement date (age 65), your benefits will be subject to an early retirement reduction factor.
Will I be eligible for medical coverage after I retire?
Only former Burlington Northern and Santa Fe employees who were in salaried positions on Sept. 22, 1995, and remained in salaried employment until they commence benefits under the BNSF Retirement Plan may be eligible for retiree medical benefits. For more information contact the Benefits Center at 877-451-2363.
Will I be eligible for dental coverage after I retire?
Your dental coverage will cease upon termination or retirement. However, you may elect COBRA dental coverage through the Benefits Center for 18 months after your retirement.
What do I need to consider if I leave exempt employment before age 55?
When you retire before age 55, you will not be eligible for retiree medical benefits, exempt company-paid life insurance, or the Early Retirement Supplemental Benefit.
Am I eligible for a lump sum distribution if I am vested in the Retirement Plan and leave BNSF before age 55?
If you leave BNSF and have a vested retirement benefit, you will automatically receive an elections packet within 12 months of your termination date. If the lump sum value of your accrued benefit is not more than $25,000, then you will have the option to receive a lump sum distribution.
I was a salaried employee and a participant in the BNI Plan as of Dec. 31, 1988; how does this affect my ability to take a lump sum pension benefit?
If you were a participant in the BNI Pension Plan on Dec. 31, 1988, and if you terminate employment with all participating companies before you are eligible for an early retirement benefit, you may elect to receive your entire plan benefit in a lump sum, regardless of whether the present value of your benefit is not more than $25,000.
I am retired. How do I change my address?
Your address change may be mailed to: Human Resources Information Systems P. O. Box 961055, Fort Worth, TX 76161-0055, or faxed to 847-948-6107. Please be sure to include the following information:
- Your name
- Social Security number
- New address
- Daytime phone number
My divorce decree stipulates that my ex-spouse is entitled to a portion of my pension, what do I need to do?
A divorce decree is not sufficient to legally divide your benefits from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Retirement Plan. To legally divide your benefits, a domestic relations order must be submitted, reviewed and determined to be qualified under the terms of the plan.
How do I get my domestic relations order qualified?
You may need to seek legal counsel to draft a domestic relations order. The Retirement Team has model language that your attorney can use when drafting your domestic relations order. Using the model language can help reduce the number of revisions necessary for a domestic relations order to be deemed as qualified.
If I have questions that are not answered here or want more detailed information, where can I get it?
Visit the Exempt Retirees Contact page for more information.
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