(a) A spouse annuity begins on the later of either the date chosen by the applicant or the earliest date permitted by law.

(b) Earliest date permitted by law—

(1) General rules. The earliest date permitted by law is the latest of—

(i) The day after the day the claimant last worked for a railroad employer;

(ii) The beginning date of the employee annuity;

(iii) The first day of the month in which the claimant meets the marriage requirement as shown in part 216 of this chapter; or

(iv) The first day of the month in which the employee annuitant meets the age requirement to qualify the claimant as shown in part 216 of this chapter.

(2) Full-age annuity. The earliest date permitted by law is the latest of—

(i) The month shown in paragraph (b)(1) of this section;

(ii) The first day of the month in which the claimant meets the age requirement as shown in part 216 of this chapter; or

(iii) The first day of the sixth month before the month in which the application is filed.

(3) “Child in care” annuity. The earliest date permitted by law is the latest of—

(i) The month shown in paragraph (b)(1) of this section;

(ii) The first day of the month in which the claimant becomes eligible for a spouse annuity based on having a “child in care” as shown in part 216 of this chapter; or

(iii) The first day of the sixth month before the month in which the application is filed.

(4) Reduced-age annuity. The earliest date permitted by law is the latest of—

(i) The month shown in paragraph (b)(1) of this section;

(ii) The first day of the first full month in which the spouse is age 62 if the employee has less than 30 years of service;

(iii) The first day of the month in which the spouse is age 60, if the employee has at least 30 years of service;

(iv) The first day of the sixth month before the month in which the application is filed; or

(v) The first day of the month in which the application is filed if beginning the annuity in an earlier month would increase the age reduction factor applied to the annuity.