[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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