Public Affairs | RRB.Gov

New Law Can Increase Payments to Recipients of Public Pensions

The Social Security Fairness Act, signed by the President on January 5, 2025, will end two statutory reductions for railroad retirees, their spouses, and survivors who are receiving public pensions from work not covered by social security. In cases where the reductions applied, the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) reduced the tier-I amount of the individual’s railroad retirement annuity, which is a social security equivalent benefit, due to receipt of such a pension.

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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.

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2026 Reporting Summary - Labor Organizations

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RRB Appoints De Luca as Chief Information Officer

The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has named Bob De Luca as its Chief Information Officer (CIO).

As CIO, Mr. De Luca will head the RRB’s Bureau of Information Services and its staff of about 100 employees and contractors. In addition, he will be responsible for planning, directing and coordinating the agency’s information technology program, including a comprehensive effort to modernize and re-engineer the agency’s business processes, along with related computer and network resources.

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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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