The following definitions are used in this part:
Applicant means a person who signs an application for an annuity or lump sum for himself or herself or for some other person.
Application refers only to a form described in § 217.6.
Apply or file means to sign a form or statement that the Railroad Retirement Board accepts as an application.
Award means to process a form to make a payment. An annuity is awarded on the date the payment form is processed.
Claimant means a person who files for an annuity or lump sum for himself or herself or the person for whom an application is filed.