The RRB maintains a record for each person who worked in the railroad industry at anytime since 1936. The information in the record includes the railroad(s) for whom the employee worked, the number and identity of the months for which he worked, and the monthly amount the employee earned (but only up to the maximum amount taxable for the given year). The RRB obtains this information directly from the railroad employers, who are required by law to provide this information to the RRB. In addition, this group of information may also include the employee's claimed date of birth, sex, and race.
At one time this information was furnished and maintained in paper or punch card format; however, today it is almost completely computerized. What paper exists containing this information is largely computer-generated.
Of the three types of information, service and compensation information is maintained on the most individuals. Many individuals who have railroad earnings credited to them never file for sickness or unemployment benefits and do not remain employed with the railroad industry long enough to qualify for retirement benefits. Thus, the information the RRB maintains on them is limited to service and compensation information.