Policy and Systems

Frequently asked questions about this service:

What is the 1099-G?: The 1099-G is a tax statement of the unemployment benefits you received from the RRB under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act (RUIA). It also shows any taxes you may have elected to withhold from your benefits. Use this form for filing your federal tax return.

Surcharge in RUIA Tax Rate For 2025

Read more about Surcharge in RUIA Tax Rate For 2025

Frequently Asked Questions on Back Pay

Read more about Frequently Asked Questions on Back Pay

The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) defines back pay as a retroactive pay increase. Back pay is commonly seen when a new contract is negotiated between railroad employers and employees. The following questions and answers address some of the most common inquiries the RRB has received about back pay included in new railroad union contracts that went into effect in late-2022.

Medicare Enrollment Rules Simplified - Effective January 2023

Read more about Medicare Enrollment Rules Simplified - Effective January 2023

There are three Medicare enrollment periods: Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), General Enrollment Period (GEP), and Special Enrollment Period (SEP).

Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)

When you turn 65 you will become eligible to enroll in Medicare through the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). The IEP lasts for a total of 7 months, starting 3 months before you turn 65, and ending 3 months after the month you turn 65.

The exception to this rule applies if your birthday falls on the first day of the month. In that case, your 7-month enrollment will begin four months before the month you turn 65 and end two months after the month you turn 65.

Example:

If you turn 65 on May 11, 2026, your IEP will begin on February 1, 2026, and conclude on August 31, 2026.
If you turn 65 on May 1, 2026, your IEP will begin on January 1, 2026, and conclude on July 31, 2026.

Your Medicare Part B effective date depends on when you submitted your Medicare application.

If you enroll:	Coverage starts:	Example:
Before the month you turn 65	The month you turn 65	Mary turns 65 on June 4, 2026. She submitted her application on May 31, 2026. Her Medicare Part B will begin on June 1, 2026.
The month you turn 65	The next month	Sam turns 65 on September 4, 2026. He submitted his application on September 25, 2026. His Medicare Part B will begin on October 1, 2026
1 month after you turn 65	The next month	Joy turns 65 on February 5, 2026. She submitted her application on March 3, 2026. Her Medicare Part B will begin on April 1, 2026.
2 months after you turn 65	The next month	Tim turns 65 on May 5, 2026. He submitted his application on July 5, 2026. His Medicare Part B will begin on August 1, 2026.
3 months after you turn 65	The next month	Fiona turns 65 on January 3, 2026. She submitted her application on April 3, 2026. Her Medicare Part B will begin on May 1, 2026.

Note: If you are currently receiving a railroad and/or Social Security annuity paid by the Railroad Retirement Board, you do not need to apply for Medicare during your IEP. Your enrollment will be handled automatically.

You can also be eligible for Medicare prior to turning 65 if you qualify based on disability entitlement.

General Enrollment Period (GEP)

The General Enrollment Period is available for any eligible person who did not enroll during their IEP, SEP, or during another GEP. The GEP begins on January 1 and ends on March 31 each year.

If you sign up for Medicare Part B during the GEP, your coverage will become effective the month after your application date.

If you enroll:	Coverage starts:
In January	February 1
In February	March 1
In March	April 1

Note: If you enroll in the GEP because you missed your IEP or SEP, you may be required to pay a penalty rate in addition to the basic Medicare Part B penalty premium. The penalty rate increases for each 12-month period in which you were eligible for Medicare Part B but did not enroll. However, any month in which you had group health plan (GHP) or large group health plan (LGHP) coverage under current employment is excluded from the penalty calculation, provide that proof is submitted.

Special Enrollment Period (SEP)

The Special Enrollment Period (SEP) allows individuals who either missed or declined Medicare when they were first eligible because they had group health plan coverage based on current employment (your own, a spouse’s, or a family member’s if you are disabled).

The SEP allows you to delay enrolling in Medicare Part B without having to wait for a GEP and pay the penalty rate for late enrollment. The SEP allows you to:

enroll in Medicare Part B anytime while you are covered by group health plan based on current employment
enroll in Medicare Part B during the 8-month period that begins the month after your group health coverage ends or employment ends, whichever comes first.

If you enroll:	Part B coverage starts:
First Month	First day of that month or any of the next three months
Last Seven Months	First day of the month after the month of enrollment

Note: There is also a disability SEP, where you may apply within 7 months for an SEP based on one of the following notifications: the month the employer notifies you that Medicare is your primary payer or the month Medicare becomes your primary payer.

Special Enrollment Period – Exceptional Situations

The SEP is also for individuals who experienced a hardship that prevented them from enrolling in Medicare. Below are the following exceptional circumstances that may qualify for special enrollment:

Individuals Impacted by Emergency or Disaster – This option is available to you if you missed a Medicare enrollment due to being impacted by a disaster or other emergency declared by local, state, or Federal government entity.
Misrepresentation by Group Health Plan or Employer – This option is available to you if you missed a Medicare enrollment and can demonstrate that your employer or group health plan misrepresented information.
Termination of Medicaid Coverage – This option is available to you if you lost Medicaid eligibility and are eligible for Medicare.
Formerly Incarcerated Individuals – This option is available to you if you missed a Medicare enrollment due to being incarcerated and were released.
Other Exceptional Conditions – If none of the above situations fit your exceptional circumstances for missing your Medicare enrollment period, you can submit a SEP application for review under this provision.

The above exceptional conditions have different enrollment lengths and require specific criteria to be eligible for the enrollment type. If you are interested in learning more about a specific enrollment, contact your local field office.

Important Links: Medicare.gov
Medicare & You Handbook
Replacement Medicare Card
Medicare for Railroad Retirement Beneficiaries in Canada
Frequently Asked Questions (Medicare Related)

Published by: Policy and Systems | Email: webmaster@rrb.gov

Unemployment Benefits for Railroad Employees

Read more about Unemployment Benefits for Railroad Employees

Did You Know...

Railroad employees do not pay for their unemployment benefits protection. The funds come from a payroll tax on employers.

A fine, jail sentence, and disqualification may be imposed upon any person found to have withheld information or to have made false or fraudulent statements or claims for the purpose of causing benefits to be paid.

Read more about Did You Know...

Fraud and Abuse Hot Line

Call the toll-free Fraud and Abuse Hot Line if you have reason to believe that someone is receiving railroad retirement or unemployment/sickness benefits to which (s)he is not entitled; that persons responsible for the financial affairs of minors or incompetent beneficiaries are misappropriating benefits; or that a doctor, hospital, or other provider of health care services is per-forming unnecessary or inappropriate services or is billing Medicare for services not received. You may also use the Hot Line to report any suspected misconduct by a Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) employee.

Read more about Fraud and Abuse Hot Line

Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability

Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) regulations, no qualified person may be discriminated against on the basis of disability. RRB programs and activities must be accessible to all qualified applicants and beneficiaries, including those who are vision- or hearing-impaired. Disabled persons needing assistance (including auxiliary aids or program information in accessible formats) should contact the nearest RRB office.

Read more about Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability

Executive Session

RRB Reminders for 2024

Access RUIA Tax Documents