Introduction
The United States Railroad Retirement Board is a federal agency charged with the administration of the Railroad Retirement Act and the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act. In general, the Railroad Retirement Act replaces the Social Security Act for employment in the railroad industry. Similarly, the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act replaces state unemployment acts for work in the railroad industry.
The Railroad Retirement Board is required under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to disclose records requested in writing by any person. However, we may withhold information under certain FOIA exemptions and exclusions. Also, the Railroad Retirement Act, the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act, and the Privacy Act restrict disclosure of information about individuals.
For more information on the FOIA, please see the FOIA Guide. We also encourage you to browse the Agency Overview, News Releases, Statistical Information, Benefit Forms and Publications, and Employer Forms and Publications located on the RRB’s website.
Restrictions
The RRB is restricted from disclosing information and records that pertain to an individual, and that identify the individual to whom they pertain, by section 12(d) of the RUIA (45 U.S.C. § 362 (d)), which is incorporated into the RRA by section 7(b)(3) of that Act (45 U.S.C. § 231f(b)(3)). The agency can only release such information in certain specific instances, including when there is a signed authorization or when disclosure is clearly in the interest of the employee or the employee’s estate. See 20 CFR §§ 200.4, 200.5, 200.8.
If you are requesting records about a third party, that request generally must be accompanied by a written authorization of the person whose records you are requesting.
Subpoenas
Please be aware that the RRB is an independent agency in the executive branch of the United States Government. As a federal agency, the RRB has sovereign immunity and is not subject to subpoenas, notices of joinder, interrogatories, or orders for production of documents unless it consents. See 20 CFR §§ 200.8(d), (e). The RRB will treat subpoenas as requests for information under the Privacy Act and/or the FOIA.
How to File a FOIA Request
Who Can Request?
Any person may request agency records.
How to Make a Request?
You can mail or fax your FOIA request using the information below or make your FOIA request online through the RRB’s secure EFOIA portal or through FOIA.gov. You should give us as many details as you can, such as names, dates, subject matter and location. A vague description could delay our answer or prevent us from finding the records. We will ask you to revise your request if we need information to find the record(s).
To mail or fax the request, please make the request in writing and state that the request is being made under the FOIA. Please also mark both the envelope and contents with "Freedom of Information Request.” The request should be addressed to:
Chief FOIA Officer
General Counsel
Railroad Retirement Board
844 North Rush Street
Chicago, Illinois 60611-1275
Fax: (312) 751-7102
Is there a Fee?
RRB may charge fees, according to published fee schedules, for searching, reviewing, and copying records. The RRB's fee schedule for FOIA requests is contained within 20 CFR § 200.4.
FOIA Requester Service Center
The RRB has designated its Office of General Counsel as its FOIA Requester Service Center for the purpose of facilitating better agency communications with FOIA requesters. The Office of General Counsel can be contacted at EFOIA@rrb.gov.
FOIA Public Liaison
The RRB has designated its Assistant General Counsel, Annie C. Mentkowski, as its FOIA Public Liaison. A FOIA requester can raise concerns about the service they have received from the center following an initial response. The FOIA Public Liaison can be reached at EFOIA@rrb.gov.
Appeal
If you are not satisfied with RRB’s determination in response to this request, you may administratively appeal by writing to the Secretary of the Board, U.S. Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611-1275, or sending an e-mail to SecretarytotheBoard@rrb.gov.
Requests for RRB's Office of Inspector General Records
Separate and distinct from the agency is the RRB's Office of Inspector General (OIG). The OIG is responsible for promoting economy, efficiency and effectiveness, and for identifying and preventing fraud, waste and abuse in agency programs. The OIG conducts audits, investigations and management reviews of agency operations. You may submit a FOIA request for records in the OIG by regular mail or fax mail at the following:
Office of Inspector General
Freedom of Information Officer
844 North Rush Street, Room 450
Chicago, IL 60611-1275
A request to the OIG must meet the following criteria before it can be processed:
(1) It must be in writing and signed by the person making the request. No telephone requests will be accepted.
(2) It must state that the request is being made under the FOIA. If the exact records are unknown, a reasonable description should be given. If a fee waiver is requested, the category of the requester must be Stated (i.e., commercial, media, educational, etc.).
If you have questions regarding a FOIA request to the OIG, please call the OIG FOIA Coordinator at (312) 751-4350.
Information Available Without Filing a FOIA Request
Some information is available without filing a request. FOIA requires agencies to publish certain information in the Federal Register. Additionally, the RRB has established a reading room at its headquarters office. The reading room offers access to copies of the agency's procedure manuals, final decision of the three-member Board which heads the agency (“the Board”), ruling of the Board and legal opinions. There is also a link to the online version of the reading room below. Some of these documents may also be available at various district and regional offices of the RRB.
General information about the RRB is available in the Agency Overview.
You can also find information about RRB records under the Government Printing Office's ( GPO) GovInfo site.