    [United States Government Manual]
    [May 30, 1997]
    [Pages 649-652]
    [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, Assessment and Training             Catherine A. Leyser
        Director, Field Service                       Ronald J. Dammon
        Director, Operations                          Robert J. Duda
        Director, Policy and Systems                  John L. Thoresdale
        Director, Resource Management Center          Martha M. Barringer
    Director, Administration                          Kenneth P. Boehne
        Chief Actuary                                 Frank J. Buzzi
        Chief Financial Officer                       Peter A. Larson

    [[Page 650]]

        Chief Information Officer                     (vacancy)
        Director of Equal Opportunity                 Leo Franklin
        Director, Personnel                           Charlene T. Kukla
        Director, Public Affairs                      William G. Poulos
        Director, Quality Assurance                   (vacancy)
        Director, Supply and Service                  Henry M. Valiulis
        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 (45 U.S.C. 201--228z-1).
        The Board derives statutory authority from the Railroad Retirement
    Act of 1974 (45 U.S.C. 231-231u) and the Railroad Unemployment Insurance
    Act (45 U.S.C. 351-369). 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.

    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 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, and various lump-sum benefits
    are also available under certain conditions.
        Benefits based upon qualifying railroad earnings in a preceding one-
    year period 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.
        The Board maintains, through its field offices, a placement service
    for unemployed railroad personnel.

    Sources of Information

    Benefit Inquiries  The Board maintains direct contact with railroad
    employees and 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.
        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 below. 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.

    [[Page 651]]

    [[Page 652]]

                                       Regional Offices--Railroad Retirement Board
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  City                          Address                        Director                  Telephone
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Atlanta, GA.....................  Rm. 1703, 401 W. Peachtree  Patricia Lawson...................    404-331-2691
                                       St., 30365-2550.
    Denver, CO......................  Suite 3300, 1999 Broadway,  Louis E. Austin...................    303-844-0800
                                       80202-5737.
    Philadelphia, PA................  Suite 670, 1421 Cherry      Richard D. Baird..................    215-656-6947
                                       St., 19102-1413.
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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.

    Congressional Assistance  Congressional offices making inquiries
    regarding constituents' claims should contact the Office of Public
    Affairs, Congressional Inquiry Section. Phone, 312-751-4974. 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. Phone, 312-
    751-4776.

    Electronic Access  Railroad Retirement Board information is available
    electronically through the Internet, at http://www.rrb.gov/. Information
    is available on CompuServe by entering ``GO TRAINNET''; select the
    Library Section and then ``RR Retirement Board.''

    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; 312-751-4334 for employment or equal
    opportunity 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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