{"data":{"id":"us/20-cfr-217.3","jurisdiction":"us","citation":"20 CFR 217.3","heading":"Need to file an application.","body":"In addition to meeting other requirements, a person must file an application to become entitled to an annuity or lump sum. Filing an application will—\n(a) Permit a formal decision on whether the person is entitled to an annuity or lump sum;\n(b) Protect a person's entitlement to an annuity for as many as 12 months before the application is filed; and\n(c) Provide the right to appeal if the person is dissatisfied with the decision (see part 260 of this chapter).","path":["Title 20—Employees' Benefits","CHAPTER II—RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD","SUBCHAPTER B—REGULATIONS UNDER THE RAILROAD RETIREMENT ACT","PART 217—APPLICATION FOR ANNUITY OR LUMP SUM","Subpart A—General"],"source_url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/api/versioner/v1/full/2026-08-25/title-20.xml","current_through":"2026-08-25","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-27T02:24:45Z","sha256":"bb06dd527aabb2e2d0f584a9609e5e714b59ed130f84f3281b81306cd64d32e3","source_id":"us-cfr","stale":true,"prev":"us/20-cfr-217.2","next":"us/20-cfr-217.5"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}