[United States Government Manual]
[May 31, 1996]
[Pages 650-653]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD

844 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611-2092
Phone, 312-751-4776. Fax, 312-751-7154
Office of Legislative Affairs: Suite 500, 1310 G Street NW., Washington, 
DC 20005-3004
Phone, 202-272-7742. Fax, 202-272-7728
Chairman                                         Glen L. Bower
Labor Member                                     V.M. Speakman, Jr.
Management Member                                Jerome F. Kever
Inspector General                                Martin J. Dickman
General Counsel                                  Catherine C. Cook
  Deputy General Counsel                         Steven A. Bartholow
  Director, Hearings and Appeals                 Dale G. Zimmerman
  Director, Legislative Affairs                  Marian P. Gibson
Director, Programs                               Bobby V. Ferguson
  Director, Retirement and Survivor              Robert J. Duda
      Programs
    Director, Retirement Benefits                Kenneth J. Zoll
    Director, Survivor Benefits                  John Baer, Acting
  Director, Disability and Medicare              John R. Feldheim
      Operations
  Director, Unemployment and                     John L. Thoresdale
      Sickness Insurance
  Director, Taxation                             (vacancy)
  Director, Field Service                        Ronald J. Dammon
Director, Administration                         Kenneth P. Boehne
  Chief Actuary                                  Frank J. Buzzi
  Chief Financial Officer                        Peter A. Larson
  Chief Information Officer                      Jim Wegmann

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  Director, Personnel                            Charlene T. Kukla
  Director, Quality Assurance                    Robert J. Seaberg
  Director, Supply and Service                   Henry M. Valiulis
  Director, Public Affairs                       William G. Poulos
  Director of Equal Opportunity                  Leo Franklin
  Secretary to the Board                         Beatrice E. Ezerski

[For the Railroad Retirement Board statement of organization, see the 
Code of Federal Regulations, Title 20, Part 200]

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The Railroad Retirement Board administers comprehensive retirement-
survivor and unemployment-sickness benefit programs for the Nation's 
railroad workers and their families.

The Railroad Retirement Board was established by the Railroad Retirement 
Act of 1934, as amended (42 U.S.C. 201--228z-1, 231 et seq.).
    The Board derives statutory authority from the Railroad Retirement 
Act of 1974 (45 U.S.C. 231-231v) and the Railroad Unemployment Insurance 
Act (45 U.S.C. 351-368). It administers these acts and participates in 
the administration of the Social Security Act and the Health Insurance 
for the Aged Act insofar as they affect railroad retirement 
beneficiaries.
    The Board is composed of three members appointed by the President 
with the advice and consent of the Senate--one upon recommendations of 
representatives of employees; one upon recommendations of carriers; and 
one, the Chairman, as a public member.
Field Organization  The Board maintains direct contact with railroad 
retirement beneficiaries through its field offices located across the 
country. Field personnel explain benefit rights and responsibilities on 
an individual basis, assist employees applying for benefits, and answer 
questions related to the benefit programs.

                                   Regional Offices--Railroad Retirement Board                                  
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              City                          Address                        Director                  Telephone  
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Atlanta, GA.....................  Suite 2304, 101 Marietta    Patricia Lawson...................    404-331-2691
                                   St., 30323-3011.                                                             
Denver, CO......................  33d Fl., 1999 Broadway,     Louis E. Austin...................    303-844-4311
                                   80202-3050.                                                                  
Philadelphia, PA................  Suite 670, 1421 Cherry      Richard D. Baird..................    215-656-6946
                                   St., 19102-1413.                                                             
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Activities

The Railroad Retirement Act provides for the payment of annuities to 
individuals who have completed at least 10 years of creditable service 
and have ceased compensated service upon their attainment of specified 
ages, or at any age if permanently disabled for all employment. In some 
circumstances occupational disability annuities or supplemental 
annuities are provided for longer term or career employees.
    A spouse's annuity is provided, under certain conditions, for the 
wife or husband of an employee annuitant. Divorced spouses may also 
qualify.
    Survivor annuities are awarded to the qualified spouses, children, 
and parents of deceased career employees. Various lump-sum benefits are 
also provided under certain conditions.
    Benefits are provided under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act 
to individuals who are unemployed in a benefit year, but who are ready 
and willing to work, and to individuals who are unable to work because 
of sickness or injury, based upon qualifying railroad earnings in a 
preceding one-year period.
    The Board maintains, through its field offices, a placement service 
for unemployed railroad personnel.

Sources of Information

Benefit Inquiries  Inquiries concerning claims for railroad retirement 
and survivor benefits should be directed to

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the Congressional Inquiry Section (phone, 312-751-4973). Inquiries 
concerning unemployment and sickness claims should be directed to the 
Adjudication, Systems, and Procedures Section (phone, 312-751-4810).
    To locate the nearest field office, individuals should check with 
their rail employer, local union official, local post office, or one of 
the regional offices listed above. Most offices are open to the public 
from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Board also relies 
on railroad labor groups and employers for assistance in keeping 
railroad personnel informed about its benefit programs.
Employment  Inquiries and applications for employment should be directed 
to the Director of Personnel, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush 
Street, Chicago, IL 60611-2092. Phone, 312-751-4570.
Legislative Assistance  Information regarding legislative matters may be 
obtained through the Office of Legislative Affairs (phone, 202-272-
7742).
Publications  General information pamphlets on benefit programs may be 
obtained from the Board's field offices or Chicago headquarters. 
Requests for annual reports or statistical data should be directed to 
the Director of Public Affairs at the Chicago headquarters.
Electronic Information Services  Railroad Retirement Board information 
is available electronically in several ways. Using America Online, 
select ``Clubs & Interests,'' then ``AARP Online,'' ``Software 
Library,'' and then ``Government Resources.'' Using CompuServe, enter 
``GO TRAINNET''; select the Library Section, and then ``RR Retirement 
Board.'' Internet, http://www.rrb.gov/.
Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDD)  The Board provides TDD 
services from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (CST/CDT) daily. Phone 312-751-4701 
for beneficiary inquiries and 312-751-4334 for employment inquiries.

For further information, contact the Office of Public Affairs, Railroad 
Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611-2092. Phone, 
312-751-4776.

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