Public Affairs | RRB.Gov

Medicare for Railroad Workers and Their Families

This booklet is issued for general information. It does not cover certain limitations, exceptions, and special cases. It is presented to you section by section as it appears in print.

Why You Should Read This Booklet
The Medicare program covers railroad workers just like workers under social security. Railroad retirement payroll taxes include a Medicare hospital insurance tax just like social security payroll taxes.

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Q&A: Comparison of Benefits Under Railroad Retirement and Social Security

Annuity rates under the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA) are generally higher than the benefit rates paid under the Social Security Act, especially for railroad employees who have 30 or more years of creditable railroad service. These higher rates can be attributed to the additional retirement taxes paid by employers and employees covered under the RRA.

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Agency Overview

The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is an independent agency in the executive branch of the federal government. The RRB’s primary function is to administer comprehensive retirement-survivor annuities and unemployment-sickness benefits for the nation’s railroad workers and their families, under the Railroad Retirement and Railroad Unemployment Insurance Acts. As part of the retirement program, the RRB also has administrative responsibilities under the Social Security Act for certain benefit payments and railroad workers’ Medicare coverage.

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