# 20 C.F.R. § 261.4 (2026): Decisions which shall not be reopened

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P261_S261_4

## Section

- **Citation:** 20 C.F.R. § 261.4 (2026)
- **Heading:** Decisions which shall not be reopened
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Title 20 CFR: Employees' Benefits / Chapter II: RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD / Part 261: ADMINISTRATIVE FINALITY / § 261.4: § 261.4   Decisions which shall not be reopened.

## Text

The following decisions shall not be reopened:
(a) An award of an annuity beginning date to an applicant later found to have been in compensated service to an employer under part 202 of this chapter on that annuity beginning date and who is found not to be at fault in causing the erroneous award; provided, however, that this exception shall not operate to permit payment of benefits for any month in which the claimant is found to be engaged in compensated service.
(b) An award of an annuity based on a subsequently discovered erroneous crediting of months of service and compensation to a claimant where:
(1) The loss of such months of service and compensation will cause the applicant to lose his or her eligibility for an annuity previously awarded;
(2) The erroneously credited months of service do not exceed six months; and
(3) The annuitant is found not to be at fault in causing the erroneous crediting.
(c) An erroneous award of an annuity where the error is no greater than one dollar per month per annuity affected.
(d) An erroneous award of a lump sum or accrued annuity payment where the error is no greater than $25.00.

## Nearby sections

- [20 C.F.R. § 261.1 (2026) § 261.1   Reopening and revising decisions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P261_S261_1.md)
- [20 C.F.R. § 261.2 (2026) § 261.2   Conditions for reopening.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P261_S261_2.md)
- [20 C.F.R. § 261.3 (2026) § 261.3   Change of legal interpretation or administrative ruling.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P261_S261_3.md)
- [20 C.F.R. § 261.4 (2026) § 261.4   Decisions which shall not be reopened.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P261_S261_4.md)
- [20 C.F.R. § 261.5 (2026) § 261.5   Late completion of timely investigation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P261_S261_5.md)
- [20 C.F.R. § 261.6 (2026) § 261.6   Notice of revised decision.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P261_S261_6.md)
- [20 C.F.R. § 261.7 (2026) § 261.7   Effect of revised decision.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P261_S261_7.md)
- [20 C.F.R. § 261.8 (2026) § 261.8   Time and place to request review of a revised decision.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P261_S261_8.md)
- [20 C.F.R. § 261.9 (2026) § 261.9   Finality of findings when later claim is filed on same earnings record.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P261_S261_9.md)
- [20 C.F.R. § 261.10 (2026) § 261.10   Increase in future benefits where time period for reopening has expired.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P261_S261_10.md)
- [20 C.F.R. § 261.11 (2026) § 261.11   Discretion of the three-member Board to reopen or not to reopen a final decision.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P261_S261_11.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P261_S261_4. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.