Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. RA is also associated with an increased risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD), a known cardiovascular risk factor. We hypothesized that among a cohort of patients with CKD, RA would be associated with an increased risk of mortality. Materials and Methods: We conducted this retrospective study using participants from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) Prospective Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) study. Approximately 3700 participants, ages 21 – 74 years with mild to moderate CKD, were enrolled from seven US clinical centers. The primary outcome of interest was all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes included: CKD progression defined as end stage kidney disease or 50% decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident, heart failure and a composite cardiovascular endpoint. The association of RA with mortality over time was examined using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression, adjusting for potential confounders (age, sex, race/ethnicity, body mass index, current smoker, and education). Results: The study cohort included 83 participants with RA on a disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARDs), with mean follow-up 9.5 years. In the adjusted analysis, CKD- RA status remained significantly associated with increased risk of death even after adjusting for traditional risk factors [adjusted HR 1.73 (1.27, 2.35)]. Similar statistically significant associations were observed between RA status and other secondary outcomes except for CKD progression. Conclusion: RA was associated with higher mortality among individuals with CKD but not progressive renal decline. Further studies evaluating the mechanisms behind this association are needed.