Press Releases | RRB.Gov

RRB Operating Under Temporary Funding

Like other federal agencies, the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has been operating under a continuing resolution since October 1, 2024, the start of fiscal year (FY) 2025. The temporary funding measure provides the agency with continuing appropriations of $27.9 million through December 20, 2024.

The continuing resolution avoided a potential governmentwide shutdown, as Congress was unable to reach agreement on FY 2025 spending bills before the beginning of the new fiscal year.

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Update to RRB Fiscal Year 2025 Funding Concerns

The Senate Committee on Appropriations has approved a fiscal year (FY) 2025 funding level of $129 million for the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). The RRB appreciates the Committee’s mark, which is notably higher than the House’s proposed spending level. But it should be noted that Congress cut the RRB’s budget for FY 2024, which has severely impacted agency operations.

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Proposed Funding Level Will Severely Impact RRB Customer Service & Operations

The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies has released its funding bill for fiscal year (FY) 25. When the Railroad Retirement Board’s (RRB) budget for FY 24 was finalized (six months into the year), the approved budget was $126 million, reflecting a $2 million decrease from FY 23. The agency, already understaffed, was forced to implement a hiring freeze and make wholesale budget cuts.

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RRB Appoints Jack Schreibman as Director of Administration

The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has appointed Jack Schreibman as its Director of Administration, effective December 31, 2023.

In this capacity, Mr. Schreibman will supervise RRB units that provide administrative and management support for the agency, including human resources, facility management, procurement, and public affairs. He will also serve on the RRB’s Executive Committee, which is responsible for day-to-day operations of the agency and making policy recommendations to the three-member Board.

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Online Tax Forms for Railroad Unemployment and Sickness Benefits

The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is reminding railroad workers who received Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act (RUIA) benefits in the last calendar year that they can access their W-2 and/or 1099-G forms online. (Individuals who were paid retirement and/or survivor benefits under the Railroad Retirement Act will only receive mailed copies of their tax forms and will not be able to access them online.)

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Q&A: Legal Partition and Railroad Retirement Employee Annuities

Like private sector pension plans, select components of a railroad retirement employee annuity may be considered as marital property subject to legal partition in a state court action for divorce, annulment, or legal separation, if certain conditions are met.

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RRB Will Use Survey Results to Improve Disability Benefit Programs

The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) earned a score of 70 in a recent survey of disability annuitants using methodology of the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). The study was conducted by the Federal Consulting Group and Claes Fornell International over a one-month period in November and December of 2022. A total of 258 individuals took part in the telephone survey.

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RRB’s Field Service Recognized for Improved Employee Satisfaction

The annual Best Places to Work in the Federal Government® rankings showed the Bureau of Field Service at the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) as the most improved among all agency subcomponents governmentwide. Its leadership was recognized in Washington, D.C. on April 12 at an event scheduled to coincide with the release of the governmentwide employee engagement and satisfaction scores for 2022, with full rankings for all participating agencies and related analysis of several critical workplace issues.

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RRB Names Director of Policy and Systems

The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has named Randolph “Randy” Hayden as its Director of Policy and Systems, effective January 1, 2023.

In that position, Mr. Hayden will be responsible for developing and improving computer programs and systems, along with necessary forms, instructions, and processes, to calculate and pay benefits under the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA) and the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act while providing outstanding service to RRB customers. He will be responsible for managing about 55 analysts and staff in Policy and Systems.

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Q&A: Credit for Military Service under the Railroad Retirement Act

Many railroad employees have served in the Armed Forces of the United States. Under certain conditions, their military service may be creditable as railroad service under the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA).

The following questions and answers provide information on how military service may be credited towards railroad retirement annuities.

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