Unemployment | RRB.Gov

Law Ends Reduction of Railroad Unemployment and Sickness Benefits

A recently approved law ended the reduction of unemployment and sickness benefits paid to railroad employees due to a budget sequestration requirement. The Railroad Employee Equity and Fairness (REEF) Act was incorporated into the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025, which the President signed on December 23, 2024.

Read more about Law Ends Reduction of Railroad Unemployment and Sickness Benefits

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.)

Read more about Online Tax Forms for Railroad Unemployment and Sickness Benefits

Unemployment Benefits for Railroad Employees

Read more about Unemployment Benefits for Railroad Employees

Unemployment Benefits for Railroad Employees

Read more about Unemployment Benefits for Railroad Employees

Q&A: Unemployment and Sickness Benefits for Railroad Employees

The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) administers the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act (RUIA), which provides qualified railroaders with unemployment benefits when they become unemployed but are ready, willing, and able to work, and sickness benefits when they cannot work because of sickness or injury. Sickness benefits are also payable to female railroad workers when they are unable to work because of health conditions related to pregnancy, miscarriage, or childbirth.

Read more about Q&A: Unemployment and Sickness Benefits for Railroad Employees

Railroad Retirement Handbook

Read more about Railroad Retirement Handbook

RRB Issues Statements of Service

Each year, the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) prepares a Form BA-6, Certificate of Service Months and Compensation, for every railroad employee with creditable railroad compensation in the previous calendar year. The RRB mails the forms to employees during the first half of June. Anyone with compensation reported in 2024 who has not received Form BA-6 by July 1, or who needs a replacement, should contact an RRB field office by calling toll-free at 1-877-772-5772.

Read more about RRB Issues Statements of Service

Q&A: Buyouts and Railroad Retirement Benefits

Railroad employees frequently ask the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) how accepting a buyout from a railroad employer affects their future eligibility for benefits under the Railroad Retirement and Railroad Unemployment Insurance Acts. The following questions and answers provide information on this subject.

1. Would leaving railroad work and accepting a buyout mean that an employee forfeits any future entitlement to an annuity under the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA)?

Read more about Q&A: Buyouts and Railroad Retirement Benefits

Q&A: Railroad Retirement Service Credits and Pay for Time Lost

The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) frequently receives questions from railroad employers, employees, and employees' legal advisors about the RRB's treatment of pay for time lost in retirement cases. The most common type of pay for time lost situation arises out of personal injury settlements. Other types include dismissal allowances, guaranteed wages, displacement allowances paid for loss of earnings resulting from the employee being placed in a position or occupation paying less money, and reinstatement awards which include back pay.

Read more about Q&A: Railroad Retirement Service Credits and Pay for Time Lost

Q&A: RRB Appeals Procedures

Persons claiming retirement, disability, or survivor annuities or unemployment or sickness benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) have the right to appeal unfavorable determinations on their claims. The following questions and answers describe the RRB’s appeals process for individuals whose claims under the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA) or Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act (RUIA) are denied, or who are dissatisfied with decisions on their claims.

Read more about Q&A: RRB Appeals Procedures