Category Archives: Railroad Retirement

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

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Railroad Unemployment and Sickness Benefits to Decrease Due to Adjustment in Sequestration Rate

Beginning October 1, 2013, the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) will reduce railroad unemployment and sickness insurance benefits by 7.2 percent due to Federal budget cuts first implemented in March 2013. Since that time, these benefits had been reduced by 9.2 percent. The adjusted reduction amount is based on revised projections of benefit claims and

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RRB Releases Informational Booklet on Railroad Unemployment and Sickness Benefits

The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has released a booklet covering Railroad Unemployment and Sickness Benefits. The Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act provides two kinds of benefits for railroad employees: unemployment benefits, when you are not working but are ready, willing and able to work; and sickness benefits, when you are unable to work because of illness

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RRB Releases Q and A – New Benefit Year for Railroad
Unemployment and Sickness Benefits

A new benefit year under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act begins July 1, 2013.  Administered by the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), this Act provides two kinds of benefits for qualified railroaders:  unemployment benefits for those who become unemployed but are ready, willing and able to work; and sickness benefits for those who are unable to

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Railroad Retirement Spouse and Widow/Widower Annuities and Public Service Pensions

Railroad Retirement Act spouse and widow(er)s’ annuities (including divorced spouse, surviving divorced spouse and remarried widow(er)s’ annuities) are subject to reduction when social security benefits or dual railroad retirement annuities are also payable. Such railroad retirement benefits may also be reduced when a spouse or widow(er) is entitled to a public service pension unless certain

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