(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--
(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.