News Releases | RRB.Gov

RRB Scores Well with Railroad Employers

The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) earned a score of 77 in a recent survey of railroad employers on their dealings with the agency, utilizing the science of the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) survey. The study covered the employers' direct contact with agency personnel, along with various forms of electronic communication. This was the first time that railroad employer satisfaction had been surveyed by the RRB, and the score of 77 compares very favorably with the overall ACSI score of 64 for the federal government.

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RRB Names Director of Legislative Affairs/Legislative Counsel

The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has appointed Beverly Britton Fraser as Director of Legislative Affairs/Legislative Counsel. The appointment was effective April 18, 2016.

She replaces Director of Legislative Affairs Margaret Lindsley, who retired in February 2016 after more than 35 years of RRB service.

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RRB Labor Member Appoints Two Assistants

The Labor Member of the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), Walter A. Barrows, has selected Michele L. Neuendorf and Mark L. Thomson to serve in the capacity of Assistant to the Labor Member. The appointments became effective March 9, 2015.

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RRB Management Member Appoints Marx as Assistant

Natasha Marx has been named as a staff assistant by the Management Member of the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), Steven J. Anthony. At the time of her appointment, Ms. Marx was an auditor in the agency's Office of Inspector General (OIG).

In her new position, Ms. Marx will advise and assist the Management Member in reviewing fiscal and policy matters, information technology initiatives and legislative proposals related to administration of the RRB and its benefits programs.

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RRB Labor Member Appoints Nancy V. Russell as Legal Counsel

Nancy V. Russell has been named Counsel to the Labor Member of the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), Walter A. Barrows. The appointment is effective upon the January 2013 retirement of Thomas W. Sadler, who has worked for the Labor Member's office since 2003.

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Q&A: Railroad Retirement Survivor Benefits

Under the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA), monthly survivor annuities may be payable to a railroad employee’s widow(er), children, and select other dependents. Lump-sum death benefits may also be payable to qualified survivors.

The following questions and answers describe railroad retirement survivor benefit eligibility requirements and provide benefit-related information.

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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.

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Program Letter UI-C-232

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Please share this information with the appropriate members of your staff who file service and compensation reporting forms for employees of your organization.

Program Letter 2016-01

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Please distribute this notice to all individuals within your organization who may need the information in connection with their work.

Creditable and Taxable Compensation

The 2016 railroad retirement tax rates and maximum compensation bases are as follows:

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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