Tag Archives: Railroad Retirement

$2 trillion Stimulus Package – What’s in it for TCU members

Last week, Congress passed and the President signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, H.R. 748.  This $2 trillion bill is meant to help stimulate the American economy, and weather the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. With millions filing for unemployment, this couldn’t have come at a better time. TCU’s Legislative Department has been

Read More

TCU talks PSR, Amtrak at 2019 IAM Legislative Conference

This week, the 2019 IAM Legislative Conference was held at the Hyatt Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The conference was one of the best-attended in years, with hundreds of members, local leaders and officers packing the conference hall to hear from a long list of congressional leaders and presidential candidates. IAM International President Bob Martinez

Read More

TCU Members Vote!

This election is crucial for TCU/IAM members as we have a chance to elect our friends that will write critical legislation next Congress. On the ballot this November are a number of key issues for TCU/IAM members: Railroad Jobs (Clerks, Carmen, Intermodal, and others) Amtrak Jobs (Clerks, On-board Service, Carmen, and Supervisors), Long-Distance Train Service,

Read More

Reps. Lipinski and Bacon lead bipartisan effort supporting Rail Workers and Retirees

Today, Illinois Democrat Dan Lipinski joined with Nebraska Republican Don Bacon to lead a letter supporting additional funding to the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). The letter had broad bipartisan support from their colleagues in Congress, including 12 Republicans and 23 Democrats. Click HERE to view read the Lipinski-Bacon letter Once secured, this funding will be

Read More

Joint Labor-Management Letter Urges Increase to RRB Funding

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) joined together with TTD’s Rail Labor Division (which includes TCU) in supporting increased funding for the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). The letter was addressed to Chairman Roy Blunt and Ranking Member Patty Murray of the Senate’s Labor HHS Appropriations Subcommittee. The RRB has been woefully underfunded for years. This has

Read More

House votes down amendment to defund Amtrak

On Wednesday evening, the House of Representatives voted on various amendments to the Transportation Appropriations bill, including one from Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL) to defund Amtrak. Thankfully, the amendment failed with 128 voting in favor versus 293 voting against.  This vote serves as a litmus test to who is really on our side. Voting to defund

Read More

New Campaign to Defend Amtrak Long-Distance Trains – #Rally4Trains

The National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) launched a new campaign – Towns Without Trains – in an effort to organize against President Trump’s plans to eliminate Amtrak’s long-distance service. On the weekend of June 23rd, the campaign aims to spur local rallies all across the country to tell Congress to keep and support Amtrak’s long-distance service. Over 220

Read More

Retiree Earnings Limits to Rise in 2017

In a recent release from the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB): Railroad retirement annuitants subject to earnings restrictions can earn more in 2017 without having their benefits reduced as a result of increases in earnings limits indexed to average national wage increases. Like social security benefits, some railroad retirement benefit payments are subject to deductions if

Read More

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 occupational disability annuities and supplemental annuities, and is one of the factors that determine whether the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) or the Social Security Administration has jurisdiction over the payment of monthly benefits to survivors of

Read More