Category Archives: Railroad Retirement

RRB Release – The Importance of a Current Connection for Railroad Retirement Benefits

Under the Railroad Retirement Act, a “current connection with the railroad industry” is one of the eligibility requirements for both the occupational disability and supplemental annuities payable by the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). It is also a factor in determining whether the RRB or the Social Security Administration pays monthly benefits to survivors of a

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RRB Labor Member: Enhanced Benefit Payments Expected by End of May

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, recently signed into law by President Trump, authorized extended unemployment insurance (UI) benefits for railroad workers sidelined during the COVID-19 pandemic. After making necessary programming changes to agency systems, the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) began processing and paying extended benefits on May 11.

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RRB Release Updated – COVID-19 Impacting Railroad Retirement and Sickness Benefits

Based on the current environment surrounding the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, issues are arising that railroad employees need to be aware of.  Members need to understand the current implications of all the requirements and the impact on their Railroad Retirement benefits and medical coverage. The latest update of the questions and answers from the U.S. Railroad

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RRB Release – IRS Special Alert for RRB Benefit Recipients Who Don’t File a Tax Return and Have Dependents

The Internal Revenue Service issued a special alert for several groups of federal benefit recipients, including Railroad Retirement recipients, to act by this Wednesday, April 22, if they did not file a tax return in 2018 or 2019 and have dependents, so they can quickly receive the full amount of their Economic Impact Payment. In

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RRB Release – Coronavirus Relief Act Impacts Railroad Workers

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, signed into law by President Trump on March 27, boosts unemployment and sickness benefits for railroad workers impacted by the pandemic.  Under the CARES Act, the 1-week waiting period required before railroad workers can receive unemployment or sickness benefits is temporarily eliminated. This applies

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Message from the Labor Member of the Railroad Retirement Board, John Bragg – COVID-19 Impact on the RRB

Message from the Labor Member of the Railroad Retirement Board, John Bragg The purpose of this notice is to update you on how COVID-19 is impacting operations at the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB).  Be assured, while it is not business as usual, the agency remains open for business.  Listed below are some of the more

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